25 Teams in 25 Days: Vancleave Bulldogs

Last season, the Vancleave football team finished the year 3-7, with the toughest pill to swallow being that one possession was the difference in five of those losses. This year, the Bulldogs are motivated to finish.

“Sometimes those games come down to one penalty less or one more first down or one play can make that difference, and it just tells these guys coming back that the close games we had last year, one play can make a difference and you’ve got to play every play like it could win the ballgame for you,” Head Coach Kevin Fant said.

“We’ve got to be the toughest team on the field. Be the most physical and just outlast them. Play past what they can,” Wyatt Mizelle said.

“Just training hard to get our cardio up and an everything mentality is the biggest thing about it,” Bradley Spicer said.

“I just think about the time when I was just sitting there and getting ready to watch them, and sometimes when we were losing it was hard to just watch it. I couldn’t take it,” Cam Sherrod said.

Not only is running back Cam Sherrod back after last year’s injury, but so are 17 seniors. The Bulldogs have a veteran roster with Mizelle leading the way on the offensive line.

“We know a lot about each other and we know what we’re weak at and where we’re strong at, so we’re almost as one is what we like to say,” Mizelle said.

“Whether you’re a veteran starter or just a guy that plays special teams or just kind of mixes in, whether our seniors are on the field or on the sidelines, we have a great group of guys. Their families did great jobs raising fine young men, and having them in the program and leading these young guys is special,” Fant said.

As the seniors lead the way, the freshman are also pushing them to be their best.

“I’m excited about every group and to be tested. I’m really excited about our freshman group because every year we usually depend on a couple of freshmen to play on Friday nights, whether it’s special teams or starting on offense or defense. I think we’ve got several in the freshman group that can either push for those jobs or have competition between our starters. Competition makes you better. I don’t care what kind of profession you’re doing, and I think this freshman group is really going to push them,” Fant said.

It’s safe to say that competition is working, and this Bulldogs group is ready for Friday night lights.

“I mean we’ve all got to push for the same thing. If you don’t, what do you expect the outcome to be?” Sherrod said.

“Do the best you can no matter what. That’s all you can do,” Spicer said.

“I’m ready to put the pads back on and hit everybody. That’s the best part,” Luke Spiller said.

The Bulldogs open the 2026 season on Aug. 28 when they travel to St. Martin High School.