The R.B. Hudson Bulldogs are preparing for another season on the gridiron, and kick off their season on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs will take on Tipton Middle School Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

Ivery Williams, head football coach of R.B. Hudson Middle School, said the Bulldogs have been gearing up for the season for weeks now.

“We’ve actually been practicing for two weeks, but with the rain and the kids starting school late, we really haven’t had our full squad out,” Williams said. “Actually, this is the smallest team in numbers I’ve ever had. We only have 50 players out. Normally, we have 75-80 players.”

Williams said the matchup with Tipton is always tough.

“That’s always a big game for us. Last year we met them and they were 5-0 and we were 4-1 and we were able to be them,” Williams said. “I think that was their only loss of the season, and we won in double overtime. They’re a well-coached team.”

After a 5-3 finish last year, Williams said the Bulldogs have had to replace a lot of key players, but he feels he has the weapons on offense to make strides this season.

“We did have a short spring and we were able to identify some of the players. Of course, we have several players returning,” Williams said. “We lost our quarterback. We had about three kids come out. Brandon Hatcher – he’s probably going to start against Tipton on Tuesday night. We have Javonte Sanders – he’s a speedy kid that’s more of a running quarterback. We have my son returning at place kicker, Ivan Williams. We also got Ryan Snell and Darius Woods. Those kids should give me a good chance to win on offense.”

While Williams believes a good season is in store for the Bulldogs, opponents on the schedule such as Tipton, Demopolis and Bibb County will make going undefeated tough, but not impossible.

“I don’t want to sound pessimistic, but I want to be a realist, too, but hopefully we can be better than what we were last year at 5-3,” Williams said. “I would like to go undefeated, but realistically speaking, it’s going to be tough to go down to Demopolis and beat them twice. We could end up undefeated if the players and all of us stick together and play good, sound football. Overall, I feel like we should have a pretty good season.”

Williams added this year will be his last as head football coach of the Bulldogs.

“I’ve had a good run, I appreciate Selma City Schools for the opportunity,” Williams said.