RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — Returning several starters from last year's team, the Dover Pirates are hoping that experience will translate into a trip to the state playoffs in 2009.
Chris Taylor, in his fourth season as the Pirates' head coach, said seven returning starters on offense and eight returning on defense will help Dover attempt to capture the 4-4A Conference championship in a
year where there's no obvious favorite to win. It should be an exciting year in the
competitive conference, Taylor said.
A young football team that lost several close games en route to a 2-8 record in2008, Dover returns a number of players who gained valuable experience on Friday nights last year. Junior Colton Williams takes over at quarterback this season after playing at wide receiver and tailback as a sophomore. Taylor said Williams brings an added dimension
to Dover's Spread offense, with the ability to run the football and elude defenders.
"His athleticism is the first thing you notice," Taylor said. "He can run the ball,
and he's very hard to tackle. We've also seen tremendous progress in the way he
throws the football. He's really worked on that himself over the summer, and you
can see the difference." Williams will take snaps from senior Jacob Carter, the team's leader on the offensive
line who Taylor credits for his blocking skills and his leadership ability.
"He's one of those guys who goes out there and plays hard on every down," Taylor
said of Carter. "He's well respected by his teammates, and he's not afraid to speak
up when he needs to. The other players respect that. He gives everything he has on
the field." Williams will also be surrounded by a talented receiving corps that returns from
last season. Tight end Jordan Arivett, a popular target for Dover last season in the
red zone, is joined by seniors Cecil Whiting and Jonah Duncan, along with junior
Austin Thomas. Seniors Jamie Morehouse and Colton Freeman will see significant
playing time at running back.
"We feel like we have a lot of weapons this year on offense," Taylor said. "Our
running backs and receivers have a lot of more team speed than we've had in the
past, and we're really excited about that." Experience is also the key on the defensive side of the ball. Junior linebackers
Garrett Grigsby and Jonathan Freeman, who both played extensively as sophomores,
return in the center of the defense after earning significant playing time. Carter and
Morehouse will also split time at linebacker, and others from the offense will play
defensively as well for the Pirates, Taylor said.
As Dover worked through summer team camps, the increase in strength, size and
speed became noticeable to Taylor and his staff. He said the team speed on defense
will add to the Pirates' strengths.
DOVER PIRATES
Sept. 4 ......................... Paris
Sept. 11 ..................at Atkins
Sept. 18 ..................at Lamar
Sept. 25 . Subiaco Academy*
Oct. 2 ............. at West Fork*Oct. 9 ......................Ozark* Oct. 16 ...........at Booneville* Oct. 23 ............. Dardanelle* Oct. 30 ...........at Clarksville* Nov. 6 .................. Pottsville*
Special, Pages 231 on 08/23/2009