Road to Victory

MCH Bulldogs Win 2017 TCAF Six-Man Football State Championship

In November the MCH Bulldogs left the field with more than grass-stained uniforms and the memories of the season’s hard work. With well-deserved pride in their hearts and medals around their necks, the MCH Bulldogs brought home the title of Six-Man Football State Champions for the very first time after defeating Wylie Preparatory Academy 72-52.

The Bulldogs’ season opened with back-to back losses, but Matt Rodgers, MCH athletic director and head football coach, urged the team not to give up hope and to keep working together.

“I would tell the kids week after week, if everybody plays, nobody can beat you,” he said. “Our kids kept fighting and never gave up. They never stopped believing.”

Their persistence and unified teamwork infused the season and the Bulldogs reached the state playoffs with a 9-4 record averaging 51 points per game.

“For them to bind to that hope of winning, to hold each other accountable, not only here but in school and in their homes, they realized their potential in what they could do on the field as a team,” said Rodgers. “We had the right kids who acted as leaders who kept everybody focused, motivated and engaged with their goal.”

According to Rodgers, the team was able to navigate adversity this season and also avoid any extremely cold weather, which also helped propel them to victory.

“I’m excited for the guys more than anything else,” said Rodgers. “We have a unique situation here. Our team is different than other teams in that we may have kids who are here just for a few years before they graduate or are no longer at MCH, which looks like a lot of turnover. We have to start over each season, but for us it’s about finding kids who can work to take leadership initiative.”

Overall, Rodgers believes MCH has earned the reputation of having a very good football program.

“They aren’t the same faces playing every year, but we have a common thread of doing well,” he said. “I think having that reputation and now the State Championship makes it more special.”

The players will be given State Championship rings as well as shirts that will act as reminders of their season of overcoming. It is Rodgers’ hope that the players use this year’s big win as motivation in future years playing football as well as in the players’ personal lives.

In the annual football awards handed out by the Waco Tribune-Herald, Rodgers was honored as the 2017 Super Centex Six-Man Coach of the Year.