Coming off a bye week, the Nederland Bulldogs will lean on the running game’s new faces to produce familiar results during District 12-5A Division II play against Santa Fe in Bulldog Stadium.

Last year’s leading rusher for the Bulldogs (3-0) Devon Simmons graduated, leaving a void for sophomores Kade Scott and Josh Mazyck to fill.

“They have been sharing a lot of the responsibility back there,” head coach Monte Barrow said. “They have two different styles, but that’s not a bad thing for our team. We have confidence in both of them. They have developed a lot of confidence because of our offensive line. It’s all worked together.”

The two styles Barrow refers to are combinations of strength and speed. Simmons is more of a north-and-south runner, while Mazyck is a running back that can make defenders miss.

“Kade sees the opening and gets to it,” Barrow said. “He knows where he’s supposed to be and gets the most yards he can get. Josh is not as big in stature. He is a strong runner and gets a lot of yards after contact. Both are good at getting north and south and getting yards.”

Barrow said Mazyck is more like Simmons and was surprised about Mazyck’s ability to move a pile.

“He can put on the breaks and make a move sideways,” Barrow said. “He’ll have two-or-three guys on him and the pile will still be moving forward. That says something for his strength.”

Scott is fourth in the division in rush yards with 288 on 44 carries to go along with three touchdowns. Mazyck is 11th in the division with 178 yards on 34 carries and also has three touchdowns.

Another newcomer has been junior quarterback Bryce McMorris, who has stepped in for Blaysin Fernandez who has been dealing with injuries this season.

McMorris leads the team in yards (221) and attempts (26).

“We continue with our offense with whichever quarterback is in there,” Barrow said. “The experience for Bryce, you can’t get that in practice. That is something that, if the situation comes about, could definitely help this team.”

Fernandez, however, is expected to start again Friday.

The Bulldogs have their work cut out for them, as they take on the Indians (1-2), who are playing inspired football four months after a school shooting left eight students and two teachers dead. The spirit leaders for both teams will meet to do a traditional good sportsmanship exchange prior to the national anthem.

Santa Fe bring in the division’s fifth-ranked offense averaging 383.3 yards per game. However, the Indians have the second-ranked passing offense, which has 240.67 yards through the air through the first three games.

The Bulldogs’ second-ranked defense will try to step up to the challenge. The Nederland defense has allowed the fewest passing yards in 12-5A-II with 230 total through three games. Second place is Vidor, who has allowed 249 through two games.

Kick off is set for 7:30 at Bulldog Stadium.

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Chris Moore: 721-2427. Twitter: @Chris_Moore09