ORANGEFIELD — There is no question that the Orangefield Bobcat football team will feel more at “home” this week as all Orangefield students headed back to school for the first time Monday since the wrath of Hurricane Harvey took its toll on the proud community.

After a slew of voluntary practices a couple weeks back and full practice last week, the Bobcats (0-1) dropped their season opener at home to Little Cypress-Mauriceville last week.

Now, with a game under their belts, the Bobcats will look to iron out some kinks this week and get back in the groove for a non-district affair at Beaumont Kelly Friday night.

The Bulldogs, who went winless in 2016, are off to a 0-2 start under first-year coach Jason Smith, falling to Austin Regents 49-6 and to Hardin-Jefferson 37-6.

The Bulldogs certainly do not have a deep team.

Five starters return to the Kelly offense in 2017.  Senior quarterback Logan Henke returns to guide the Bulldog offense.  Toting the ball will be senior running back Earl Robertson (2nd team all-district) but look for senior wide out David Ray to also get carries and be the primary receiver.  Senior center Gage Bernard, senior Zach Miller and senior Reece Reid will protect things up front.

Three starters return to the Kelly defense.  Bernard, Miller and Reid will handle things up front.  Ray and Robertson will anchor the Bulldog secondary.

The Bobcats will look to get their vaunted running attack going again.

Orangefield can play two quarterbacks in the forms of Mason Gonzales and Christian Louvier.

They have a variety of backs to get the ball to as well with the likes of fullback Blake Bradley along with Dylan Williams, Chase Broussard, Cade Grozier. Clayson Choate, Heston Puckett and Kadeon Evans.

The Bobcat defense allowed LC-M 381 total yards in the loss last week. The Bears had 306 yards in the first half but the Bobcats recovered nicely in the second half, allowing just 75 yards.

The Bobcats will wrap up non-district next week at home against Diboll before opening 12-4A Division II play Oct. 13 at home against Liberty.