Freeport Bulldogs Open Fall Practice Under New Head Coach Bobby Johns
The Freeport Bulldogs wrapped up the first week of fall practice Friday, working through drills and installing plays in helmets and shoulder pads as the football program begins a new chapter under head coach Bobby Johns.
Johns comes to Freeport following a seven-year stint at Wewahitchka, after which he moved into school administration before taking over the Bulldogs program. The veteran coach — the 14th in Freeport High School’s history and the third to hold the role in 25 years — brings a career record of 217-104, two state championship appearances, six Final Four berths, and 37 playoff wins across a 30-year coaching tenure. He also spent eight years on the FHSAA’s board of directors.
Johns said coaching remained his priority when the right opportunity arose. “I wasn’t really excited about working with attendants and alternative school and stuff like that,” Johns said. “And I kind of got an itch to coach again. But I just wanted to wait on the right situation. And I didn’t know if it would ever come about. So, I wasn’t necessarily automatically going back to coaching. But when this job came open, I was very interested in it and was fortunate enough to get hired.”
He inherits a roster of approximately 50 players at the varsity level, with about 70 including junior varsity. Starting quarterback Wade Digges, class of 2027, said Johns made an immediate impression on the locker room. “I mean, yeah, we’re really happy to have him,” Digges said. “He just brings a positive attitude, you know, really good, like, relationship with the players. I mean, yeah, he’s just a stand-up guy. Like, since the first day he got here, the rules are set, everything’s been the same. He set the tone on day one.”
The Bulldogs open their season with the Kickoff Classic against Bozeman on Aug. 14 at Deane Bozeman Stadium. The matchup marks the first game of the Johns era and the first chance for Freeport fans to see how the new coaching staff’s schemes translate to Friday night lights.
Originally reported by WJHG Newschannel 7.
Image: WJHG Newschannel 7
