St. Louis Bulldogs
Baring their fangs
Mike ElderOf the Suburban Journals
Hazelwood-Bridgeton Journal
The St. Louis Bulldogs minor league football squad might be the best professional team in the area that nobody knows about.The Bulldogs, who are coached by Greg Moore and feature many players from the North County area, have an incredible 124-49 (71-percent) in the 13-year history of the program."We've done well over the years," said Moore.Indeed they have. The Bulldogs, who compete in the North American Football league, have won two league championships, five division titles and two conference crowns.
"We don't have a problem getting to the playoffs," said Moore, whose program has qualfied for post-season play 12 straight years.The Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them if they're going to extend their season this year, however. They fell to 1-2 after dropping a 28-0 decision to the Nashville Storm at home Saturday."We're still going to make it," said Moore, whose team also lost 18-14 to the Kansas Kaos and won a 49-6 decision over the Lincoln (Neb.) Renegades. "We have to win the rest of our games but we're very capable. We're even capable of beating the team we lost to."The Bulldogs, who play in the Missouri Division, are led offensively by a host of players with North County ties including Ritenour graduates Willie Harris and Wendell Mosley.Harris, a former receiver converted to quarterback, had completed 23 of 43 passes for 398 yards and two touchdowns through the first two games."So far I've been pleased with his play," said Moore of Harris. "He's not real tall, though, so we have to roll him out a lot. Our line is pretty big. We average like 6-4 or 6-5 and 340 or 350 pounds."Mosley is one of Harris' favorite targets. He had eight receptions for 175 yards and one touchdown after two games."As a seasoned veteran he's excellent," said Moore of Mosley. "He's a smaller tight end but he's very elusive."Moore said his talented offensive line features some players from the area including Stan Johnson, who graduated from Maplewood High but now lives in North County, Deyon Smith (Sumner) and Rodney Hamell (Berkeley).Damien Wilson, who also lives in North County, is the team's top kick returner. He's returned two kickoffs for 111 yards and one touchdown."He's one of our up and coming young men," said Moore.Marvin Blake, a running back who lives in North County, is the team's leading rusher. He's run 14 times for 147 yards and four touchdowns.Other players outside the area who are mainstays on the team include running back Corey Taylor, who was a star at University City High, free safety Toriano Porter (Eureka/CMSU) and Fred Robinson, a 6-5, 290 defensive end from Peoria."He's our defensive leader," said Moore of Robinson. "He always draws a double team."The Bulldogs, who are playing their home games at Cardinal Ritter High's football field at Vandeventer and Delmar, are averaging between 300 to 500 spectators a game, Moore said."It could be better," he said. "But it's been pretty warm lately. We have our faithful who, no matter what, they are there."Moore has had a hard time focusing on his beloved coaching hobby. Also the police chief of Northwoods, Moore and his officers were responsible for brokering the surrender of murder suspect Kevin Johnson to St. Louis County police recently. Johnson, who was wanted for the murder of Kirkwood police officer Sgt. William McEntee, had been on the loose since the incident July 5.In addition, Moore's daughter, Allison, was involved in a serious car accident recently."She's resting at home with a broken femor," said Moore. "We're praying that everything turns out alright. She's blessed to be alive."The Bulldogs will be back in action this Saturday at home against the Show-Me Spirit, another St. Louis area minor league team. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Mike ElderOf the Suburban Journals
Hazelwood-Bridgeton Journal
The St. Louis Bulldogs minor league football squad might be the best professional team in the area that nobody knows about.The Bulldogs, who are coached by Greg Moore and feature many players from the North County area, have an incredible 124-49 (71-percent) in the 13-year history of the program."We've done well over the years," said Moore.Indeed they have. The Bulldogs, who compete in the North American Football league, have won two league championships, five division titles and two conference crowns.
"We don't have a problem getting to the playoffs," said Moore, whose program has qualfied for post-season play 12 straight years.The Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them if they're going to extend their season this year, however. They fell to 1-2 after dropping a 28-0 decision to the Nashville Storm at home Saturday."We're still going to make it," said Moore, whose team also lost 18-14 to the Kansas Kaos and won a 49-6 decision over the Lincoln (Neb.) Renegades. "We have to win the rest of our games but we're very capable. We're even capable of beating the team we lost to."The Bulldogs, who play in the Missouri Division, are led offensively by a host of players with North County ties including Ritenour graduates Willie Harris and Wendell Mosley.Harris, a former receiver converted to quarterback, had completed 23 of 43 passes for 398 yards and two touchdowns through the first two games."So far I've been pleased with his play," said Moore of Harris. "He's not real tall, though, so we have to roll him out a lot. Our line is pretty big. We average like 6-4 or 6-5 and 340 or 350 pounds."Mosley is one of Harris' favorite targets. He had eight receptions for 175 yards and one touchdown after two games."As a seasoned veteran he's excellent," said Moore of Mosley. "He's a smaller tight end but he's very elusive."Moore said his talented offensive line features some players from the area including Stan Johnson, who graduated from Maplewood High but now lives in North County, Deyon Smith (Sumner) and Rodney Hamell (Berkeley).Damien Wilson, who also lives in North County, is the team's top kick returner. He's returned two kickoffs for 111 yards and one touchdown."He's one of our up and coming young men," said Moore.Marvin Blake, a running back who lives in North County, is the team's leading rusher. He's run 14 times for 147 yards and four touchdowns.Other players outside the area who are mainstays on the team include running back Corey Taylor, who was a star at University City High, free safety Toriano Porter (Eureka/CMSU) and Fred Robinson, a 6-5, 290 defensive end from Peoria."He's our defensive leader," said Moore of Robinson. "He always draws a double team."The Bulldogs, who are playing their home games at Cardinal Ritter High's football field at Vandeventer and Delmar, are averaging between 300 to 500 spectators a game, Moore said."It could be better," he said. "But it's been pretty warm lately. We have our faithful who, no matter what, they are there."Moore has had a hard time focusing on his beloved coaching hobby. Also the police chief of Northwoods, Moore and his officers were responsible for brokering the surrender of murder suspect Kevin Johnson to St. Louis County police recently. Johnson, who was wanted for the murder of Kirkwood police officer Sgt. William McEntee, had been on the loose since the incident July 5.In addition, Moore's daughter, Allison, was involved in a serious car accident recently."She's resting at home with a broken femor," said Moore. "We're praying that everything turns out alright. She's blessed to be alive."The Bulldogs will be back in action this Saturday at home against the Show-Me Spirit, another St. Louis area minor league team. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
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