Fontainebleau’s Bulldogs head south on Interstate 10 today traveling to Biloxi to open their season against the Biloxi High Indians.

FHS first-year head coach Mike Materne said his club must be prepared to go against a big, hard-nosed football team.

Biloxi enters the contest with a 2-0 record. Materne said he and his staff saw Biloxi play earlier in their 28-14 victory over South Jones High School and also watched game film of the Indians 19-14 come-from-behind victory over St. Martin High last week.

Fontainebleau fullback Chris Fisher (7) is brought down by a Brother Martin tackler in last Friday's Bulldog jamboree played at the Dawg Pound. FHS travels to Biloxi, Miss., today to face the Biloxi Indians in their season opener. (File photo by Gwen Ladner)

Materne said Biloxi High is really big up front offensively.

“Their tackles are 330 and 277, the center goes 276 and the guards are 265 and 195, while the tight end is 265 pounds,” Materne said.

Materne said Biloxi runs a double wing offense with everybody tucked inside.

“They are predominantly a running team, but they have the ability to throw the football. They like to pull their guards and lead with their fullback,” Materne said.

Biloxi High third-year head coach Steve Jones, coached in Louisiana for 10 years including time at Mandeville High, St. Amant and Hammond High, before moving to Mississippi.

Junior Dennis Robertson (6-4, 225) starts at quarterback after splitting time with Hawtin Buchanan (6-8, 240) who is out with an injured finger on his non-throwing hand that required surgery. Robertson has thrown three TDs in the Indians’ victories and they haven’t committed a turnover.

Junior tailback Travoris Robinson (5-9, 200) has rushed for 224 yards on 34 carries with four TDs. Senior wingback Justin Gibson (5-10, 160) rushed for 118 yards last week on 12 carries. Sophomore Tyler Wilson (5-11, 225) starts at fullback. Coach Jones said Wilson played offensive line in junior high before moving to fullback. Jones said he is a good blocker and has decent speed.

Senior split end Harrison Russell (6-1, 180), a first year player, has two TD catches and junior George Budz (6-3, 175) will also see time at split end.

The Indians top offensive linemen are seniors James Demoruelle ((5-8, 265) and Harry Moskowitz (6-2, 277), who are both three-year starters.

Senior ends Robert Simpson (6-4, 250) and Jeremy Britton (6-3, 245), both three-year starters, lead the Indians’ defense. Biloxi rotates three senior linebackers Jerone Tunstall, Alex Montgomery and Kenny Powell along with junior Drew Hopkins, while senior safety Jerry Webb leads the secondary.

Coach Materne said defensively Biloxi runs a 4-3 defense and aren’t as big defensively. Players range from 235 to 255 pounds on the defensive side of the ball.

“They don’t stunt much with their linebackers and they play a cover three in the secondary. We are hoping our players can develop more self-confidence as we open the season on the road. We need to cut down on mental mistakes and improve upon individual defensive responsibilities. We have to make the right calls and line up in the correct defense,” Materne said.

Materne said if his team plays the way he feels they are capable of playing they should be able to hang with Biloxi.

FHS senior running back Perrin Sims, who pulled a hamstring against Brother Martin in the jamboree, will be out of the lineup, which will hurt the Bulldogs’ running attack. Junior running back Ryan Brooks will replace Sims in the starting lineup.

Materne said his team didn’t do a good job of protecting their senior quarterback Addison Melancon last week in the jamboree.

“We have to definitely do a better job this week. We have to keep the defense off of him to give him time to throw,” Materne added.

FHS senior offensive right tackle Evan Luke who sat out last week with a rib injury returns to the lineup, which will help bolster the Bulldogs’ running and passing game.

Senior offensive guard Thomas Dericks didn’t play against Brother Martin either, but is expected to be back in the lineup. Junior offensive right guard Shawne Cayette had sprained his ankle before the jamboree and was held out. He also is expected to man his starting guard position. The Bulldogs are also still battling the lingering flu symptoms with some of their players.