Friday, Aug. 28, 2009

DUPO: Tigers stress fundaments to get better

DUPO -- Without a 21-game losing streak hanging over their heads, the Dupo Tigers are free to continue their journey back to respectability.

A talented and experienced group of seniors -- and a massive offensive line --could help them get there.

"I think we're going to surprise a few people, especially with the size of our line," said Dupo coach Vernon Ferry, whose team finished 2-4 in the Cahokia Conference and 2-7 overall. "(The seniors) all got the experience last year and the confidence level rises a lot more. They know that this is it, this is their final year and they've got to perform well.

"They don't want to have any letdowns."

There won't be much room for excuses with nine starters returning on both sides of the ball. Dupo opens the season at home tonight against Olney East Richland.

Injuries combined with a slew of turnovers to derail the Tigers last season. Ferry said his team fumbled the ball 43 times --including 10 on kickoff and punt returns -- and the quarterbacks combined for 10 interceptions.

He said those numbers have to come way down for the Tigers to improve. The school has had just two winning seasons since 1998.

"We want to put the X's and O's down and work on the fundamentals, trying to get better every day," Ferry said.

Junior Caleb Tatum (6-3, 210) returns for his second season as a starter and he gives the Tigers a strong throwing and running threat.

Ferry said Tatum struggled at times last season, trying to learn the nuances of a new offense at the same time he was trying to absorb what defenses were throwing at him.

Tatum completed 26-of-84 passes for 367 yards and four TDs with nine interceptions. He also ran for 106 yards and one touchdown and, Ferry said, "is a lot bigger, a lot stronger with a lot more confidence."

Tatum is also one of the area's top catcher prospects as well as a basketball starter, so the athleticism is there.

"We're going to have to control the ball more, but we will be able to throw it," Ferry said. "With Tatum being 6-3 and mobile, he's got a chance to lead us to the next level."

Senior leading rusher Joe Higgerson (660 yards, five TDs) returns while senior fullback Tyler Maynard fills the spot vacated by his older brother, 2009 graduate Andrew Maynard.

Senior Sean Pierce (11 catches, 200 yards, three TDs) and Matt Ragsdale (7 catches, 108 yards, one TD) also add speed and versatility in the backfield.

The offensive line should be a team strength with Dupo returning all five starters.

The group includes senior left tackle Adam Mitchell (6-3, 245), junior left guard Mike Massie (5-11, 250), senior center Keynan Outlaw (6-1, 255), senior guard Dylan Carner (6-0, 225) and senior right tackle Kyle Thompson (6-3, 335).

Carner is sliding over from center while Thompson has switched from the left to right side. The tight ends are senior Quinton Lambert (6-0, 180) and senior Derrek Settles (5-11, 165).

Carner and Higgerson (6-1, 220) return at defensive ends, with Lambert (66 tackles) and Adam Mitchell at tackle spots.

Tatum and impressive sophomore Doug Keys (5-10, 170) are at inside linebacker, with Maynard and Settles on the outside.

Pierce (44 tackles, two interceptions) and Ragsdale (34 tackles) return in the backfield, with Ragsdale moving from cornerback to safety. Cody Primas, who missed most of the season with a hip injury, also is back.

"We're still maturing," Ferry said. "We know it's going to take a full 48 minutes to get the job done."