Bulldogs ready to make waves
The Batesville Bulldogs will look to build on the success they found at the end of the season in 2022. After a 2-4 start to the year, coach Evan Ulery righted the ship, and the Dogs went 3-1 to end the regular season. They avenged a week one loss to Indian Creek in the sectional semifinal, beating the Braves 35-34. The Dogs’ season ended at the hands of Lawrenceburg in the sectional championship, the Tigers going on to earn a spot in the state championship.
Ulery is 41-36 in his seven seasons with Batesville and should have no problem improving that record as he looks to get the Bulldogs their first sectional title since 2015. Ulery’s offense will be in good shape with quarterback Will Jaisle returning for his junior season. As a sophomore, Jaisle threw for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns. The quarterback was also second on Batesville in rushing with 743 yards, and he led the Dogs with eight rushing touchdowns. Protecting Jaisle are returning linemen, All-EIAC selection Max Amberger, along with seniors Carson Meyer and Collin Wells. The Dogs’ fullback Bobby Weiler returns with starting experience on both sides of the ball.
Junior Gage Pohlman will return to lead the Dogs’ backfield in 2023. Pohlman already has 1,127 rushing yards through two seasons to go with nine rushing touchdowns. Cade Kaiser returns as Jaisle’s top target from a season ago. The junior grabbed 30 receptions for 470 yards and five touchdowns. Damien Dance also returns for the Dogs, after 20 receptions for 262 yards a season ago. Another backfield weapon for coach Ulery is Deacon Hamilton, who returns for his senior season. Hamilton has been used all over the field over the past few seasons and should see his share of carries this season.
The Bulldogs’ defense lost its top tackler from last season, but the Dogs return their next five tackle-getters from 2022. Carter Bohman and his 82 tackles are back for his senior campaign, along with juniors Dance, Kaiser, Quinton Elston and Lucas Wells. Kaiser also led the Dogs with five interceptions last season. Jonathan Buschle returns at cornerback after an injury-plagued 2022 season. The special teams return placekicker Brady Wonnell, who hit 22 extra-point attempts in 2022.
Batesville will start the season on the road at Trafalgar taking on the Indian Creek Braves on Aug. 18. The Bulldogs will host Milan on Aug. 25, for their first home game of the season trying to win their fourth straight Victory Bell contest. Other home games this season include Rushville Sept. 8, East Central Sept. 15 and Franklin County on Oct. 6.