Sutherlin, OR -- A season that included a league title for the Sutherlin Bulldogs ended in the blink of an eye in the first round of the state playoffs last year.

That's motivating them to play with a chip on their shoulder this time around.

"I think we're all building off our playoff game last year leaving a bitter taste in our mouth," running back Case Wells said.

Sutherlin suffered a 49-7 defeat to Vale in the first round of the state playoffs last season. An eye opening moment for the Bulldogs.

"It was a way for Vale to show us what a real football program is all about," head coach Josh Gary said. "That's a program that's been on the top for a long time. I think some of those boys thought we were there already and it was really easy and it was not true. That gave us a lot to work on and a lot to build on for sure."

Despite the tough ending the Bulldogs finished the season 7-3. 

"We're building off that, Wells said. "We're going week by week. We're going to be a tough team this year."

In order to build off that Gary knows you got to have a short memory.

"Just be not happy with being successful last year and kind of flushing that and starting over," Gary said. "This team hasn't won any games yet. This is a brand new team. So just that perspective."