Surprising Dumas Bobcats start year at 3-1

Dumas Coach Max Pennington was hired on the Fourth of July in 2015 and didn’t have a lot of time to get the Bobcats prepared for the 2015 season.

The Bobcats were 5-5 a year ago, but they have jumped out to a 3-1 start this season, with victories over McGehee, Bauxite and Pine Bluff Dollarway.

“We’ve come together as a unit on offense,” Pennington said. “We’re a physical football team. The defense has continued to grow. Some young kids have stepped up.”

Pennington credited Superintendent Kelvin Gragg for his commitment to the football program.

“We put some money into the weight room,” Pennington said. “You build your team in the offseason. We’ve put some work in.”

Dumas’ offense was on point in a 75-32 victory over Bauxite at Bryant High School on Sept. 16. The Bobcats totaled 674 yards of offense, including 599 rushing, against the Miners.

“It was great execution on the part of our offense,” Pennington said. “Bauxite came in well-coached with Daryl Patton. Their offense was rolling on all cylinders. The first quarter was a shootout. Once we settled down, we played some sound football.”

Dumas’ running back duo of senior DJ Fuller and junior Jaquis Fisher have led the Bobcats.

Fisher has rushed for 616 yards and 8 touchdowns on 52 carries. Fuller has 561 yards and 14 touchdowns on 63 carries.

“They’re wonderful,” Pennington said. “They’re very talented backs. They’ve got great feet. They’re physical runners.”

The Bobcats host Crossett in an 8-4A Conference game Friday.

“Everybody’s excited,” Pennington said. “We hope we can handle success. We want to be able to stay motivated and keep plowing ahead.”

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