Auburndale’s 2014 season saw the Bloodhounds make the playoffs after finishing 3-1 in their district and as the 5A-10 runners-up to Lake Wales. This season they’ve got a new classification and district grouping that could have them fighting much harder for the playoffs than they can imagine, but they’ll have plenty of talent to get back to the postseason in 2015.

The Bloodhounds will work more from the spread this season and will have the services of RB’s Artavis Pierce and Jessie Britt at their disposal even though their starting QB from last season (Tyler Wilkerson) has transferred to Lakeland Christian. Even though their schedule is arguable one of the toughest in Polk County, they return over 1,600-yards and 23 touchdowns in the two backs. Pierce, an Oregon State commit, rushed for over 1,100 yards last season and expects to eclipse that this season while Britt rushed for 11 touchdowns. As a team, Auburndale rushed for 2,500+ yards and threw for just under 500 yards in 2014.

About that schedule. Following a preseason classic game in which they host Martin County (7A-6) from Stuart, the Bloodhounds will face the entire District 7A-7 (Winter Haven, Lakeland, Bartow and Kathleen) the first five weeks of the season on top of facing off against two-8A teams in Haines City and Ridge Community. Their rubber-meets-the-road moments for the postseason will come in weeks eight and ten as they host Lake Gibson on October 16th, then travel to Lake Wales on the 30th of October in what should be a winner-take-all for the postseason battle.

Scheduled obstacles aside, Auburndale’s tandem in the backfield along that brings multi-dimensional threats via run or pass, plus emerging guys returning on defense like Keandre Jenkins and Kyante Cobbett (along with Britt) make these ‘Hounds an obstacle in their own right each week this fall. For more proof regarding Pierce and what the West Coast can expect to see next season, click on the link BELOW—>