From the standpoint of competition, perhaps no coach or team would wish to play a football team that is depleted in its personnel. But when the time comes to play one of those games, it may as well be your school's homecoming and in the rain.

The Bowie High Bulldogs took advantage of several suspensions of High Point players to win a rain-soaked homecoming game, 33-0, at Bulldog Stadium.

Senior two-way player Travis Thomas rushed for a touchdown and then returned an interception for a score. Quarterback Jordan Maslinik - a transfer from DeMatha Catholic High School - tossed a scoring pass to receiver Bruce Mosely before coach Lionel Macklin pulled his starters from the game.

Two weeks ago players from High Point and Laurel high schools engaged in a physical altercation and players from both teams were suspended for last weekend's games. Already undermanned, High Point was forced to cancel its JV game against Bowie so they could promote some of those players to varsity. Macklin said that until last Wednesday there was doubt as to whether High Point would decide to forfeit the game.

"I knew the situation that High Point was in," said Macklin, "and I made sure I got all my players in to play."

Cornerback James Washington returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown and Demetrius White returned a punt 50 yards to the High Point two-yard line, setting up another Bulldogs' score.

The game was essentially decided as Bowie took a 27-0 lead into halftime.

"You can just feel the energy, the kids are still fired up," said Macklin, who noted that the Bulldogs are still alive for a berth in the county 4A playoffs. "I've been waiting a long time and the energy is there."

Bowie needs some help if they plan on playing in the postseason. In addition to winning their final two games against Henry Wise and Northwestern high schools, the Bulldogs need to hope that Eleanor Roosevelt loses its remaining two games against Suitland and C.H. Flowers. That scenario would make each of the teams 6-4 with Bowie having the tie-breaker as a result of their 19-8 win at Roosevelt last week.

"I'm just happy that the games still mean something (in Week 9)," said Macklin. "We're still in it."

Having meaningful games in October and November seemed highly unlikely in September after Bowie started the season 0-3. Macklin, however, took over the offensive play-calling duties and the team has rebounded with a 4-1 record to put themselves in position to make the playoffs one season removed from a 3-7 record.

In order to make the postseason the Bulldogs are going to have to rely on continued strong efforts from the defense as well as the offensive bursts from Thomas and Maslinik - the latter knows Macklin well enough that he "finishes my sentences" during play-calling. But regardless of making the playoffs, getting to 6-4 would be a feat in itself.

How does a team with a rookie coach go from an 0-3 start to the possibility of a playoff berth?

"We're just working together," said Macklin. "The kids are buying into it."

Note: In last week's story regarding the Bulldogs' win against Roosevelt, two BHS players were misidentified. The correct names of the players are KeyShaun Ward and Caleb Jackson. The Blade-News regrets this error.