UMATILLA, Fla. — It was 70 years in the making.
Umatilla High School’s Bulldog football team was honored Wednesday with a monument dedication ceremony marking its undefeated 2025 season — the school’s first undefeated season in 70 years.
The monument, purchased by the City of Umatilla, was manufactured by Set in Stone Monuments, owned by UHS alumnus Colton Hartog. Hartog was on hand for the dedication, along with Umatilla Vice Mayor Zack Durbin, UHS Head Football Coach Eric Samuels, UHS Principal Brent Frazier, the UHS Marching Band, UHS Cheerleaders and the UHS Bulldog football team.
The Bulldogs outscored their opponents 480-52 during their 10-game season, including a 37-0 victory over rival and next-door neighbor Eustis High School.
Samuels delivered a short speech before introducing his team and reflecting on what the season meant beyond the scoreboard.
“These guys put in so much work. Blood, sweat and tears into this season and it started back this summer,” Samuels said. “This season was more than about wins and losses. It was about commitment, sacrifice, brotherhood and believing in each other every single day.”
