By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
THORNDALE – The Thorndale Bulldogs would like to forget the 2023 season.
This time last year, many players had already transitioned to basketball at the small Class 2A school on the border of Williamson and Milam counties.
Shoulder pads and helmets were put away as coaches and underclassmen reflected on an uncharacteristic 0-10 season, vowing to not let it happen again.
“The mentality has changed so much,” said senior offensive lineman Braden Pickel. “It’s really amazing to be a part of this type of a turnaround, even just the way we practice. The practices are much more intense, and everyone is more focused.”
With the 2023 season behind them, a rejuvenated Thorndale football team capped off a remarkable turnaround with a 18-13 win over rival Holland last Friday to finish the season with a 7-3 record and a return to the UIL Texas high school football playoffs.
“The seniors have done really well, you know, we have a lot of talented seniors who are great leaders, and I think they were hungry from what happened the year before,” said Thorndale head coach John Kovar. “We were in several close games last year and we found a way to lose those. But this year in the close games, we found a way to win.”
Thorndale opened the season with a 50-29 loss to rival Thrall. It was the Bulldogs’ 12th straight defeat going back to the 2022 season.
There were glimmers of hope in that loss that said this year might be different. And the following week, it all came to fruition.
Thorndale defeated Granger in its home opener in Week 2 and the went on to win their next four games. That streak included a 27-6 win over Riesel, the Bulldogs opponent Friday in a Class 2A Division I bi-district playoff at Jarrell’s Cougar Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Players say an improved locker room chemistry and overall mentality is the secret to Thorndale’s success.
“It shows on the field,” said senior wide receiver Jayden Clawson. “You can tell, with us going 7-3, we’ve connected on a different level in the locker room, on the field, and outside of school compared to last year when we were always at each other’s throats and the leaders weren’t leading the way they should’ve.”
Confidence was high Wednesday as the Bulldogs prepared at Bulldog Stadium for their rematch with Riesel. However, Kovar said he doesn’t expect it to be easy.
“I think we’re a confident team right now because of how well we’ve been playing, not because we’ve already beaten these guys,” he said. “We’ve talked to our kids all week about how they’ve had several kids back that didn’t get to play against us because of injuries or whatever.
“So, we expect them to be a better football team on Friday than they were in Week 3, but we’re probably a better team, top.”
