Playoffs or bust

By Scott Wanish, sports editor
Football Preview 2007

August 28, 2007 01:11 pm

— Darrell Hall made the playoffs in his first three seasons at Star Spencer.
Nothing less, is tolerable.
But last year the Bobcats dropped three key district games by an accumulative 18 points to miss out on possible third and fourth spots for the postseason.
“It is the first time in eight years (four as an assistant) here that we haven’t made the playoffs,” the Star Spencer head coach said. “It is unacceptable. We got down to our last chances and kind of self-destructed and lost. They were all winnable games. We expect to win all close ones.
“We had a bunch of seniors last year and nobody was steppin’ up. But, this year, I don’t have to worry about that. As far as returning starters go, we have a bigger commitment this year. A better team attitude.
“They have started working hard this spring. This whole senior class has stepped up and took ownership.”
Returning starters on the always-stingy Star Spencer defense include the top two leading tacklers in junior Jeremy Harris and senior Darius Berry respectively. Both are linebackers. On offense, Harris had two touchdown runs over 70 yards.
Seniors Josh Carter (5-10, 278) and Marcus Dumas (6-2, 307) are back on the interior defensive line. Hall claims Carter can’t be blocked when he gets low. Carter also will play guard on offense and Dumas is a three-year starter at offensive tackle. Dumas is being recruited by Tulsa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa.
“He moves very well,” Hall said. “He’s a hard worker and a big plus for us.”
Helping Dumas on the offensive line is senior center Dominique Russell (6-1, 248) along with senior tackle Danny Brown (5-10, 283) and sophomore guard Adarius Mallory (5-10, 252), all of whom are two-year starters.
Money Davis is a great pass-rushing defensive end at 6-1, 228 and returns as a starter as a junior.
The Bobcats will have a stable of running backs with Harris, Darren Rideau (leading rusher with 478 yards), Raymond Lane and sophomore Terrance Olds (second leading rusher with 297 yards).
The inexperience comes at quarterback with sophomores Franky Jamison and Keon Johnson vying for the position.
“It will take game-time experience (to see how the quarterback situation will pan out),” Hall said. “I’m not as concerned as I was last year because I had to take a wide receiver (graduate Daniel Peoples) and put him at quarterback. Both of these guys bring something special to the table.”
As for newcomers, Hall said Midwest City transfer Josh Childress as shown a lot of ability at defensive back and claims sophomore safety Antowone Watson is someone to watch.
The Cats will open at home with Millwood on Aug. 31 and will have to also play other tough non-district foes Southeast and Douglass.
“I’m confident of where we’re going,” Hall said. “They (the Bobcats) have shown the ability to work hard and as a coach that is a positive deal.”

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