Final year in Cahokia Conference football for Dupo Tigers
It’s the last year in Cahokia Conference for the Dupo Tigers, who will move to the smaller Prairie State Conference for football only next season.
Several traditional rivalries will end, most notably the Dupo-Columbia game, but the Tigers are fighting a numbers battle. They have only three seniors this season and 29 players out for football from an enrollment of 299 students.
“If the injury bug gets up we might be in trouble,” said Dupo coach Brad Weier, whose team was 1-8 in 2015 and is 2-16 the past two seasons. “We’re not really thinking about down the line. It’s going to be awkward, things like the last Dupo-Columbia game and things like that, but that’s not on our mind right now. We’re trying to win football games.”
Offense
Taylor Stanek, a senior who had 16 catches for 249 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver last season, is battling for the quarterback job with sophomore Tyler Kyle.
“I think they both had good summers and some good early days,” said Weier, whose team lost starting quarterback Drake Harvell to graduation. “It’s going to be tough. Just because I name a starter Week 1 doesn’t mean they’ll be a starter all throughout the season. I like the competition.”
Weier is hoping a potentially strong offensive line and impressive sophomore class can contribute immediately.
Senior Dawson Kemp (84 carries, 349 yards, one TD) returns at running back while former junior lineman Victor Licklider will move to fullback.
The top receiver may be sophomore Devin Similey, who also starts at cornerback. The offensive line is strong anchored by senior guard MacKay Ham, junior guard Chase Putnam, junior center Zane Chism and sophomore tackle Bryce Chadduck.
Defense
All four are defensive starters with Chism and Chadduck at linebacker. Kemp (78 tackles, one sack, two recoveries) was all over the field on defense at linebacker and safety.
“He’s a key piece to that defense,” Weier said. “He can play basically anywhere and I’d be happy with him.”
Licklider (59 tackles, one sack) and sophomore Cody Heusohn will also start at linebacker. Junior Nick Meagher will see time on the offensive and defensive line.
“I’m going to rely on some sophomores to help us out skill-wise,” Weier said. “My strength is our line, but on the skills guys we’re hurting a little bit.”
2015 Results (1-8)
Aug. 28 Sparta L 45-12
Sept. 4 Central L 59-0
Sept. 11 Columbia L 48-8
Sept. 18 Red Bud L 45-8
Sept. 25 Wesclin L 48-8
Oct. 2 Principia L 21-20
Oct. 9 Carlyle L 42-20
Oct. 16 Freeburg W 27-21
Oct. 23 Pinckneyville L 42-7
2016 Schedule
Aug. 26 at Wood River 7 p.m.
Sept. 2 Central 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 Columbia 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 at Red Bud 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 Wesclin 7 p.m.
Oct. 1 at Blue Ridge 1 p.m.
Oct. 7 at Carlyle 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 at Freeburg 7 p.m.
Oct. 21 Pinckneyville 7 p.m.
This story was originally published August 15, 2016 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Final year in Cahokia Conference football for Dupo Tigers."