Big plays and racking up yards are great for team morale, but if you can’t put the ball in the end zone it doesn’t matter.

Pike County had a rough time getting across the goal line in 2011, en route to a 1-8 season. The Bulldogs averaged just 7.6 points per game, and scored more than seven points only two times. A 33-20 loss to Goshen and season-ending 14-7 win over Geneva were the only times that Pike County reached double digits.

“The players are grasping the information that I and the assistants are putting out there,” said head coach Fred Holland. “We have some guys returning, and some newer guys. We are coming along pretty good.”

Gone from last year’s squad is Marlon Meadows and Quandry Gresham, but the Bulldogs do return athlete Raheem Pearson.

Pearson got some experience last season, but Holland and staff will look for him to contribute even more in 2012.

“He (Pearson) does a great job for us,” Holland said. “He sparks the team with his work ethic and his character. We enjoy having him around, and he is getting better each day.”

Holland utilized a conventional I-formation offense last season, and said to not expect him to leave it completely. But he also said that the team will look for ways to get the ball in its playmakers hands.

The Pike County head man hinted at maybe switching up the offense system at times to get as many athletes on the field as possible.

“We might even run a little Delaware Wing T at times,” Holland said with a laugh. “We have some good backs, and want to use them.”

Holland expects most of the work to be down on the ground but said that the bulldogs have receivers who can make plays, if and when they decide to put the ball in the air.

“Stevie Smiley, Quavion Caffie and Deshon Cowling are some of the guys that will be out the edge for us,” Holland said. “They do a good job of running routes, and help us open it up.”

Pike County will host cross-county rival Charles Henderson High School in the Pike County Classic on August 24. Holland is a veteran of the annual rivalry game and knows what it means to the community.

“It is big,” said Holland. “We are focused on Troy (CHHS) right now. We will stay focused on them until after the game is over.”