Craig Daily Press

John Vandelinder

John Vandelinder's columns appear Tuesdays and Fridays in the Craig Daily Press. E-mail him at jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com

It’s been three months since the last Bulldog beat, and boy am I glad it’s back.

When the beat hits print, that means Moffat County High School sports are back in action.

So for the first edition of the 2008-09 sports season, I’m going to give my preseason predictions about where each of the five fall sports teams will finish in the Western Slope standings.

Rodeo won’t be included because the team doesn’t participate in a division and, therefore, can’t bring home a division title.

But let me remind you, I’m gauging the teams on where I think they will finish, not necessarily where I want them to finish.

Let’s take a look:

Cross country

Coach Todd Trapp’s team of runners tops the Beat in its first week this sporting season

Returning for the girls team, senior Alicia Nelson should be a lock for the top spot in the league after a stellar junior year.

Sophomore Maddy Jourgensen came from nowhere as a freshman last season to impress the opposition, coaching staff and this reporter. But, she won’t sneak up on anyone this year, except for maybe Nelson.

With Jourgensen pushing Nelson for the team’s No. 1 spot, the in-team battle can only aid the girls team down the road, and I see the Bulldog girls coasting to the top spot in the WSL.

The boys team returns senior Colt Criswell and junior Corey Wojtkiewicz and adds a newcomer — Hayden resident Chris Zirkle — to the mix.

If the boys team can come anywhere near the form of the girls, a solid top-3 spot lies ahead.

Golf

Senior Nick Moyer returns after leading the team in stroke average a year ago, as well as placing third in the ACE Junior Golf Tour this summer.

He should challenge for a spot in the 4A state championships in October, which are being held in the team’s backyard — Yampa Valley Golf Course.

Coach Ken Harjes has been impressed with the play of Mark Dockstader and Taylor Branstetter.

If Dockstader and Branstetter can keep up with Moyer, look for the three Bulldog ball strikers to get through regionals and get the chance to play for a state title at home.

I see Moyer as a lock to advance, and once he’s on familiar ground, anything less than a top-10 finish at state would be a disappointment.

Volleyball

The Bulldogs had an impressive late season run last year under WSL coach-of-the-year Brianna Montgomery, finishing second to perennial WSL powerhouse, Battle Mountain.

We all know Montgomery is a fiery but successful coach, but the question remains to be seen what will happen with a depleted roster.

The Bulldogs lost senior starters Amy Dilldine, Markie Workman, Sharina Simpson, Kari Griffin and Angie Charchalis.

Senior Ariel Sanchez will have to carry the load this season as she moves from libero to outside hitter.

I’m picking them to still finish second to the Huskies, based solely on the motivational tactics of Montgomery. Her career volleyball record as a player and coach warrants it.

Football

I’ve heard the whispers around town of coach Kip Hafey’s demise, and I have this to say: Hogwash.

No players over 200 pounds and only three returning seniors this season, but mark my words, MCHS will scare even the best teams in the league. The Bulldogs finished an injury-riddled 2007 season knocking on the door of the state playoffs, a tribute to Hafey and his staff.

If they could do it last year, why not this season?

With many other WSL teams instilling mandatory weight programs, while the Bulldogs’ has been cut from the curriculum, it’s amazing to even think the team would win two games, and they pulled out three.

This year won’t be a run through the playoffs, or even a run to the playoffs, but I see four wins on the horizon for the boys of the gridiron.

They will finish fifth in a league of nine teams; maybe even spoil another school’s playoff hopes along the way.

The Bulldogs are still two to three years away from making an impact in the WSL football scene.

Despite Hafey admitting this year will be tough on his team, scheduling defending 3A state champion Berthoud High on opening weekend shows Hafey is up for the stiffest competition, win or lose.

Boys soccer

When the Bulldog boys soccer team was at full stride last season, it truly was a thing of beauty to watch. Battle Mountain — the three-time defending WSL champions — needed overtime twice, and an own goal to squeak by Moffat County in both of their contests.

The talent level is there, and now with new coach Rusty Cox taking over at the helm after running a successful U14 program, the coaching change could finally put this team above .500.

The Bulldogs will have to battle adjusting to a new offense and defense, but if the team responds the slightest bit the way the U14s did under Cox, look for the first playoff birth for the boys soccer team in four years.