Texarkana, Texas – On Friday night, the Kilgore Bulldogs will travel to Pleasant Grove to meet the Hawks in a season‑opening showdown that carries special meaning for both programs. Coach Clint Fuller, who spent several years as Pleasant Grove’s defensive coordinator and helped the Hawks win a state championship, returned to the field as the Bulldogs’ head coach for the first time since taking the Kilgore job in 2021.
Fuller said his time at Pleasant Grove was “very valuable” and that he learned from former head coach Josh Gibson how to build a culture of high standards and expectations. “We pride ourselves on discipline, toughness and physical play,” Fuller added, noting the shared philosophy between the two schools.
Since arriving in Kilgore, Fuller has guided the Bulldogs to an average of 12 wins per season and back‑to‑back state championship game appearances. Pleasant Grove, meanwhile, entered the season ranked fourth in the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Class 4A Division II poll, while Kilgore holds the fourth spot in the 4A Division I rankings.
Both coaches view the early‑season contest as a valuable test. “Playing a program like PG early in the year does a lot to improve our team,” Fuller explained. “It’s a great opportunity to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses, and the big‑game atmosphere helps our players grow.” Pleasant Grove head coach Jonathan Darby echoed the sentiment, calling the matchup “huge” for both teams.
What to Expect
The game is set to tip‑off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Fuller expects a well‑prepared and physical opponent, saying, “I know PG will be well‑prepared. They are going to play extremely hard, and they will be physical.” The Bulldogs hope the contest will expose areas needing correction before district play begins, while the Hawks look to continue their strong start to the season.
Local fans can anticipate a competitive, hard‑fought game that showcases the shared values of discipline and toughness that both programs cherish. The result could set the tone for the rest of the season for two of East Texas’s most respected high‑school football programs.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
