Football preview: Perryville hopes consistency rights ship

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- After a one-win season in which points were at a premium, Perryville coach Keith Winkler is not overhauling his offense or approach.

Instead, the Pirates' second-year coach is adhering to a simple principle: fewer mistakes means more points.

"Last year we moved the ball between the 20s, and we'd shoot ourselves in the foot," Winkler said. "We had mistakes, which we can control. We've worked hard on being self-disciplined and stop trying to make it so hard for us to score. Make the defense stop us."

Missed blocks, penalties and turnovers were numerous as the Pirates were shut out four times and outscored 323-42 last season. The Pirates scored a season-high nine points in their lone win against Kennett.

The Pirates return seven seniors on offense, including quarterback Joey Bauwens.

Perryville hopes to improve its offensive performance this season after getting shut out four times and averaging 4.2 points per game. The Pirates return quarterback Joey Bauwens, left, and running back Garrett Flentge. (Laura Simon)

"Our protection on running and passing are a lot better this year, and I think that's really going to help," Bauwens said. "We have most of our backs returning so we have a lot more experience this year."

Last season, Bauwens took over at quarterback for the fourth game, replacing Garrett Flentge, who was moved to running back. Injuries to Bauwens necessitated Flentge returning to direct the offense at times.

"It was kind of a revolving door," Winkler said.

The Pirates are hoping for more stability this year. Bauwens will line up over center, while Flentge, a senior, will be at running back. Senior Lee Thaxton, junior Wyatt McAfee and sophomore Levi Zook provide depth at running back, and Josh Braddy and Terry Davis are at fullback.

"[Bauwens] is not wide-eyed," Winkler said. "He distributes the ball well and he's a good leader."

Perryville breaks from its huddle during Friday's jamboree in Perryville, Mo. The Pirates are hoping to enjoy more offensive success this season after being held to less than 10 points in every game last season. (Laura Simon)

Bauwens will operate behind a line that has decent size and returns center Blake Telle and tackles Ben Steinnerd and Dayne Voelker. Also in the line mix are senior Jacob Bethel and juniors Robert Brewer and Josh Pellikan.

"Whoever wins the line of scrimmage wins the ballgame," Winkler said. "We've got to become more physical and more fundamentally sound."

Bauwens also has returning targets in senior receivers Ryan Kassinger and Jared Hotop. Junior Kirk Hadler is a versatile back who also can line up at receiver.

"I think we've improved a lot," Kassinger said. "We got in the weight room and everyone has been practicing hard. We're a lot stronger than last year, not just physically but mentally too. We all want to be here. We all want to be with each other and we all want to play the game."

The Pirates used a variety of formations last year, including I, spread and wishbone. Winkler plans to keep the offense with multiple looks.

Perryville's Levi Zook pushes away Scott City's Jacob Underwood as he runs towards the end zone during the jamboree Friday, August 20, 2010 at St. Vincent High School in Perryville. (Laura Simon)

"Hopefully it will create some mismatches and we can get the ball in our athletes' hands," Winkler said.

The defense lost leading tackler Andrew Martin at linebacker.

The bulk of the returning experience is in the secondary with Kassinger, Hotop, junior Cale Regelsperger and Bauwens.

One factor that could figure into a faster start for the Pirates is this year's seniors will be playing for the same coach for the first time in their career at Perryville. Last year, Winkler was the third coach in three years for the program.

"I think that's going to be big for them," Winkler said. "Most all the staff is back, so there's some consistency with that. That will help. The kids will know what's expected of them."

Perryville senior Ryan Kassinger returns at wide receiver for the Pirates this season.

Perryville, which opens its season Friday at Herculaneum, has moved up to Class 4 -- it's the second-smallest school in the class -- and will face all new district opponents in Sikeston, Farmington and Central.

The Pirates are eager to shake the lingering taste of last season.

"It's a big motivation for everybody," Winkler said. "They don't give you any credit. We've talked to the kids how you have to go out and earn it, and it's not going to be given to you. Talk is exactly what it is. You have to go out and prove to people."