Portageville returns eight starters, looks to younger players

PORTAGEVILLE - The Portageville Bulldogs will have a lot of senior leadership in the starting lineup for the upcoming 2006 football season.

A key question is do they have the underclassmen to supplement the starters?

Third-year head coach Ashley Swims will have eight senior starters on offense and defense from a team that went 3-7 last season.

"We got more kids out this year than last," said Swims. "These kids are going to really help us out in the season. We also have some guys who didn't play last year who are playing this year. We got a couple more seniors and some extra running backs which will also help us. We have a lot of potential and it is just a matter of us coaches getting in there and getting that potential out of them."

Offense

Portageville will start 5-foot-11 senior Trey Mosby at quarterback for the graduated Tyler Fowler.

Mosby has never started at quarterback but did complete one pass for six yards with an interception last season from his running back position.

The arm of Mosby might be in question, but the legs are of no concern for the Bulldogs. Last season, Mosby rushed 42 times for 188 yards and three touchdowns.

Mosby also had a nice receiving season last year with eight catches for 197 yards and three touchdowns. According to Swims, Mosby will not spend all his time on the field behind center.

"He (Mosby) has been looking pretty good so far in practices," said Swims. "We also have Cody Cook (5-10, 170) as backup and we can interchange the two, putting Mosby at running back. We won't take a step back with Cody under center. With Trey at running back, it only makes a good group that much better."

Senior Leonard Boyd brings his Jerome Bettis-style of running to the high school ranks. Boyd (5-9, 235) is a north/south style runner who hits the holes with a vengeance. Boyd gained close to 400 yards last season and will be a nice alternative to the speed of the other Bulldog backs.

Nathan Martin (5-9, 180) is a consistent back who provides senior leadership and is also a tough inside-the-tackles runner. Martin gained 159 yards and scored a touchdown last season for Portageville. "Our main strength on offense is going to be our backfield," said Swims. "We got some talented running backs with a good combination of speed and power. We have nice diversity in our backs that will help us down the road. I look for us to keep teams off balance with our rushing attack."

Swims also mentioned junior Michael Johnson (5-9, 150) and sophomore Aaron Kershaw (5-8, 180) as in the running back mix. Kershaw is back to the team after breaking his leg two years ago and looks to be in good shape for the season.

An area of concern for Portageville will be the consistency of the offensive line. The Bulldogs graduated all the starters from last season led by Jared Brands.

The O-line will feature four seniors with Ben Mayberry (6-0, 240), Heath Conaway (6-3, 170), Adam Crumley (5-8, 160) and Sammy Simms (6-2, 325). Swims hopes the four seniors can anchor a line that does not have much depth.

"We have a solid corps of kids," said Swims, "but we are not very deep. Our main focus is to keep our starters healthy all year because their is not a whole lot of depth past the starters. Our starters are going to have to tote the load."

When your leading receiver from a year ago (Mosby) is at quarterback, the Bulldogs are going to have to mold some receivers out of their 34-man roster. Past the explosive Mosby, Cook is the second returning receiver having caught two passes for 30 yards. Senior tight end Heath Stegall (6-4, 180) caught a 22-yard touchdown pass last season for his lone reception of the year.

The Bulldogs will probably count on some newcomers to the team and to the school for added receptions. Marcus Greene (6-3, 180) was a standout on the Portageville basketball and is trying his first season of football in his senior year. Greene is learning the system but brings instant athleticism to the team. A freshmen will see considerable playing time for the Bulldogs. Kony Ealy (6-4, 205) transferred from New Madrid County Central and has already earned the tight end position at Portageville. Ealy might be a freshman, but he has the build of a senior. Don't be surprised if you see Ealy catching some long throws down the field from Mosby.

"All of our receivers have good hands and the ability to make some long gains," said Swims. "We are confident that our passing game can change some games for us this year."

Defense

The Bulldogs will feature a 4-3 defense with emphasis on the linebackers. Boyd returns as the leading tackler from a season ago and will play at inside linebacker.

"Our linebackers are essential to our defense," said Swims. "We expect for them to make every play on the field. Leonard is a big kid but he can cover the field from sideline to sideline and that is what we need. We aren't that deep on defense, so if one guy gets an injury or what have you, we are going to struggle a bit especially at linebacker."

Martin returns at the safety position for the Bulldogs after a successful season last year. "Nathan covers the field well at his position," said Swims. "He can move up and help out against the run which is vital."

Mosby will play at the cornerback position alongside Johnson. Swims expressed that both corners are extremely fast and have good solid instincts. On the D-line, Portageville will replace four starters from a season ago. The entire defensive line will be first-time starters and Ealy will be the youngest at defensive end.

Schedule and Outlook

Portageville will no longer be in Class 2, District 1 with East Prairie, Caruthersville and Malden. The Bulldogs will move to Class 1, District 1 due to shrinking enrollment throughout the district.

The Bulldogs will face Chaffee, St. Vincent and long-time rival Hayti in district play this season.

"We went from one tough district to another," said Swims. "Hayti always plays us tough and they are a big rival from way back. St. Vincent always has a good team that goes deep into the playoffs. It is going to help us out this year playing the same level of competition every single year. We still have a tough road to get into the playoffs."

Besides district play, Portageville is in the tough SEMO South Conference which features East Prairie, Hayti, Malden, Scott City and Chaffee.

"I still say our conference is one of the toughest around," said Swims. "There are so many tough teams in the conference and the games are always a battle. I feel real good heading into the season because the guys have been working real hard over the summer and now during practices. It is going to be a fun year." Portageville will open the season with Piggot, Ark. on the road. Last season, the Bulldogs dropped the opener at home to the Mohawks 19-14.