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It is all well and good to talk about "smash-mouth football," about simplicity and execution, about the belief that if you are fitter and stronger and better than the other guy, you can tell them what's coming and still impose your will.

You just don't expect to hear it from Bullis.

Yet the Bulldogs, from one of the region's smallest schools and with one of its more modest football histories, are saying exactly that; and with such conviction that it's hard to argue.

"We're not going to try and be really complicated with our offense, but we're going to do our stuff and we're going to do it perfect," said senior quarterback Mike Bombard. "We're going to run the ball a lot this year, but we're going to throw it, too. We're going to be able to do what we want."

If this brashness from a second-year starter on a team that went 2-8 last year surprises you, you're likely not alone.

But one season after a training camp in which numerous players couldn't finish conditioning drills, this year's Bulldogs — and particularly their 12 seniors — say they are simply too fed up to let losing happen again.

"We're just sick and tired of being the joke," said senior lineman E.T. Gallant (5-foot-11, 206 pounds), who hasn't experienced a winning season in middle or high school. "No one respects us."

Added running back Jeff Kimm (5-10, 190): "Honestly, when I got here, I just looked around, and I saw more talent. I just saw it was a different team. Players had more energy, and it was just really contagious."

To finish above .500 would mean winning as many games this season as in the previous three combined. It would also mean that Gallant and the rest of an undersized offensive line opened holes for Kimm and other backs.

Bryant Tucker-Green (5-10, 260) and Alex Steel (5-11, 255) are in their junior and sophomore years, respectively, and no one else is listed above 210 pounds.

Second-year coach Sean Murphy still plans to call more runs than passes, out of several different two-back sets. But when Bombard drops back, Murphy is excited about the explosive receiving double threat of senior St. John's transfer Robert Spriggs (5-8, 160) and junior Justin Grant (6-1, 185). Spriggs will also be the Bulldogs' No. 1 cover corner in a 4-3 scheme.

Still, Murphy hesitates to voice the same confidence as his players, one year after his offense was shut out in three of its last five games, only to rally for 36 points in a season-finale shutout of St. Mary's Ryken.

"The excitement that's here for these kids is unusual," said Murphy, who players say has offered much-needed stability in the playbook and in the locker room. "For these kids to realize that, hey, there's something special and different here, they're trying to figure out how to manage that feeling. That's part of the deal."

For his part, Bombard is speaking his mind.

"I don't think we're going to flinch when we succeed," he said. "We're going to do what we're supposed to do. We're going to do what the coaches tell us. We're going to be perfect every day. And we're going to win. We're going to do what he have to do to win."

Bullis

Head coach: Sean Murphy, 2nd year

League: Interstate Athletic Conference

Last year's record: 2-8, 0-4 IAC

Last league title: 1979

Players to watch: QB Michael Bombard, RB/S Jeff Kimm, WR/CB Robert Spriggs, WR/CB Justin Gant

2008 schedule

Sept. 6 — Pallotti (L), 31-10

Sept. 12 —Sidwell Friends (W), 17-14

Sept. 19 — Flint Hill (L), 34-7

Sept. 27 — St. Albans (L), 50-14

Oct. 3 — Boys Latin (L), 23-17 (OT)

Oct. 11 — St. Stephen's/St. Agnes (L), 31-0

Oct. 18 — Mercersburg (Pa.) (L), 35-7

Oct. 25 — Landon (L), 33-0

Nov. 1 — Episcopal (L), 31-0

Nov. 7 — St. Mary's Ryken (W), 36-0

2009 schedule

Sept. 12 — at Pallotti, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 — Sidwell Friends, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 — Potomac (Va.), 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 — at Bishop Ireton, 2 p.m.

Oct. 9 — at Boys Latin, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 — St. Stephen's/St. Agnes, 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 — St. Albans, 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 — at Landon, 1 p.m.

Nov. 6 — at Episcopal, 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 13 — St. Mary's Ryken, 7 p.m.