The Bulldogs are back and ready for a successful season. Through summer training, after school practices and all the hard work, the team is ready to win. Sophomore Lucas Yeck hopes to have a winning record this season. “We have a lot more experience and more committed players.” Senior Captain Sam Beckey, wishes to win more than three games and make it to the playoffs this season. According to Beckey, Freedom’s biggest rival is Ellwood City. At the Ellwood football game Sept. 7, Freedom won the game; the fans went crazy. Beckey feels they have a lot more experience because there are more seniors on the team this season. He also believes having the same coach for more than two years has made a huge impact. Beckey enjoys being a captain because “everyone knows you’re the leader.” Beckey says there aren’t any cons when it comes to being the captain. He would rather play for the students as opposed to their parents. “We appreciate the support and we hope it continues,” Beckey said. Cowboy hats, face paint and football pride — that’s what the “Dog Pound” is all about. Every Friday night, the football team is cheered on by a group of students labeled the Dog Pound. Junior Matt Feits started the student section to help cheer on the Bulldog team. “I started it because I noticed other schools had really big student sections, and we didn’t, so I figured it was time to start the Dog Pound.” Junior Nate Lundy, one of the many Dog Pound members, said he wanted to get pumped for the high school football season. You may have only seen the Dog Pound at football games, but Lundy said he wants to “spread the love” to all the other Bulldog teams. “I think that each athletic team needs respect as well as motivation from its fellow students,” Lundy said. “Everyone is welcome to come and cheer with us,” Feits said.