After one of the best seasons in Odessa history, the Bulldogs look to top last year’s incredible feats.

Odessa, which ran the table at 12-0 before losing to Maryville in the Class 3 quarterfinals, have a tall task to replace departed seniors Jonas Bennett and Dakota Degraffenried, who combined for over 60 TD's and 4,000 yards of offense.

“We hope to and have the ability to go further in 2019,” head coach Mark Thomas said. “We have a very strong senior class and supported by a good junior class.  If we can keep healthy, I like our chances of having a better 2019.”

But there’s a lot of weapons stocked, starting with quarterback Josey Meierarend. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound senior racked up 2,081 yards and 31 touchdowns with just one interception, completing 70.4% of his passes. Meierarend owns the record book at OHS for passing records, and was third-team all-state in 2018.

One of his favorite targets, senior Eliyh D’obron (6-foot-2, 180) returns after missing the second half of 2018 due to injury. As a sophomore, D’obron hauled in 49 balls for 768 yards and five scores and was tabbed on the Class 3 all-state team.

In addition to D’obron, Carter Westerhold (6-foot-3, 200) will line up at tight end, while Bryley Ray (5-foot-10, 165) will join D’obron on the outside at receiver.

Up front, the Bulldogs return a strong core with senior center Mason Baker (6-foot-1, 305), senior guard Colby Wilson (6-foot-3, 230) and junior tackle Houston Eagan (6-foot-3, 275), who started all 13 games as a sophomore. 

The defensive front is also stout, as Westerhold and Wilson will pair up at defensive end, while Baker and Eagan anchor the line at defensive tackle.

D’obron will patrol at safety, while Ray lines up at corner, as well as Odessa’s returner on special teams.