The Clinton County Bulldogs fell to Jackson County Friday night, 42-22, and finished the season with a 5-5 record. Head Coach Jamie Miller is pleased with how the season finished out, but at the beginning of the year Miller had hopes of being 10-0.

“Last week we were hoping for a 6-4 record. At the beginning of the year I wanted to win them all, so I’m pleased with the season. In the past we’ve had several seasons were we didn’t win a game, so I think the program is heading in the right direction.”

Miller said he told his team to be proud of their accomplishment of winning five games and to be proud to be the team with the most wins in school history, but he also told them that record won’t last long.

“Next year we are going to be better than five wins and I told them that,” Miller said. “I told them to get ready because that record won’t stand long.”

Miller said Friday night’s game came down to turnovers for the Bulldogs.

“In every game we have lost, you can look at the turnovers and we have lost that stat for the game,” Miller said. “Friday night we only had one turnover, but they had none. Turnovers are the biggest stat that most of the times goes unnoticed.”

With the season ending game Friday night, Miller said his team will have two weeks off then they will start getting ready for next season with weight training.

The Bulldogs will have workouts three to four days per week until the spring and summer season.

Next season for the Dawgs will mark Miller’s eighth year as a head coach at Clinton County. He plans on having what he called “Football 101” meetings this summer to educate parents on the game.

“You wouldn’t believe the people who say they enjoy watching the games, but have no idea why something happened on the field or why the teams play a particular way on the field,” Miller said. “I’ve been wanting to do this ever since I got here. I just want to explain the game to those who don’t understand.”

As far as district play is concerned, Miller said he doesn’t want to re-enter the district play until his team is able to compete.

“Metcalfe is the weakest team in the district and if we can’t compete with them then there is really no point,” Miller said.

Being able to compete in the district is a goal Miller has for the program. Until Clinton County can compete and win in district play, Miller said he is going to work hard to prepare his teams in order to get to that point.

“We lose six seniors this year, but we have 15 eighth graders coming up next year and if they all come out next season, then we will have hopefully 40 players next year, which will be great,” Miller said.

Seasons ahead looking promising for the program. Miller, as well as most fans are pleased with the way the program is going and hopefully next season’s team will break the school record for most wins in a season, but for now, this year’s team holds that record at 5-5 for the year.

Senior Tristen Lehman made a tackle in the open field to prevent an opening kick touchdown for Jackson County Friday night. The Bulldogs lost its final game of the season, 42-22, and finish with a 5-5 record for the year.