SIKESTON LOOMS LARGE IN 4A

SIKESTON --Sikeston's 1999 season may have been one of head coach Charlie Vickery's more satisfying campaigns.

No, the team didn't win a district title, nor will the squad go down as one of the best Sikeston teams ever, but it's the way they improved as the season went on that stands out.

Most expected a down season for the Bulldogs due to a lack of proven players at several positions, but somehow they found a way to finish 6-4 and tie for the district lead with a 2-1 record, including an unforgettable upset victory over North County.

Only because of the points system was Sikeston kept out of the state playoffs.

A team no one thought would finish over .500 did just that.

A certain 2,000-yard rusher named Justin Robinson also made the season one to remember.

Well, gone from that team is nearly every starting skill player, but almost the entire line returns intact.

In fact, as many questions as the Bulldogs have at their skill positions, they have that many answers up front.

"I think the line is the strength of our team going into the season obviously because of the experience they've got," said Vickery. "The biggest majority of them played, if not full time last year, at least part time. They've got experience, they've got good size and they move well. We feel like we've got quite a bit of depth at our offensive and defensive line."

The Bulldogs aren't just deep at the line positions, they are huge with 10 surpassing the 240 mark. With four returning starters and another that saw extensive playing time, optimism is high for quite possibly the biggest line Vickery has ever coached.

Seniors Jonathan Keenan (5-10, 180) and a trimmed up Kent Chappell (5-9, 185) will lead the unit with a little more quickness off the ball. Juniors Justin Lowes (6-3, 275), Kevin Keller (6-6, 265) and Myron Hardin (6-3, 240) round out the starting unit as three of the biggest players on the team.

Keller and Chappell were second team all-conference performers last year.

Seniors Matt Featherston (6-0, 245), Nick Lorenz (6-0, 240) and Kris Eastwood (6-5, 245) and juniors Desmond Green (6-2, 285), Chris Barnes (5-8, 185) and Scott Heuiser (5-11, 185) provide plenty of depth on the line.

Junior tight end Justin Freeman (6-3, 210) is not only a steady blocker, but a sure-handed receiver, catching six passes for 89 yards and a touchdown last season.

Juniors Travis Deere (6-2, 200), Ben Jones (5-11, 175) and Kyle Duncan (6-1, 180) could also see some time at tight end.

Senior fullback Josh Bird (6-2, 225) established himself as a devastating blocker last year, earning second team all-conference. He's also the leading returning rusher for Sikeston, carrying 58 times for 254 yards with three TDs.

Since Bird will also see plenty of action on the defensive side as a linebacker, Vickery will need an adequate backup fullback. The leading candidates are very green in senior Derek McKown (5-7, 185) and sophomores Josh Monroe (5-8, 165), Justin Blackburn (5-8, 170) and Elgin Hunt (5-8, 195).

Like last year, the Bulldogs have serious questions at quarterback. Only one has had varsity game experience in senior Steve Addison (6-2, 175). He completed 2-of-6 passes for 39 yards with a TD and an interception last year.

Senior Heath Self (6-0, 170) has looked good in practice throwing and running the ball, and he may have the early nod for the starting position.

Junior Andrew Lambert (6-1, 150) has some quickness and some speed, but he may be moved to wide receiver.

Another area of concern is trying to find somebody to fill the shoes of all-state tailback Robinson.

Junior Heath Hunter (5-11, 170), senior Darrell Lawrence (5-11, 190) and sophomore Sam Owens (5-6, 160) are the leading candidates right now.

Hunter carried just three times for two yards last year. Lawrence, a transfer from Hayti, rushed for over 100 yards including a TD last season while Owens hasn't played football since eighth grade.

Monroe and junior Roderick Randle (5-8, 160) could also challenge for some playing time.

"It certainly helps when you've got the line first and then you see what you've got in skill people," said Vickery. "I think our skill people have come along pretty well. We don't have a whole lot of experience back there other than Bird. But I think as the season progresses we'll keep getting better and better.

"Obviously we're not going to have that one tailback that's going to pick up 2,000 yards. But I feel pretty comfortable with what we're doing and I really look for us to improve as we go."

While Sikeston only threw for 419 yards all of last season, they still need somebody to step up and be a receiving threat.

None return with much experience, but the leading candidates are seniors Craig Jobe (5-10, 165) and Alfarmia Newson (6-0, 170). Others that could see some playing time are senior Ryan Shirkey (6-1, 160), juniors Lambert, John Fuchs (5-7, 140), Larry Newman (6-1, 165) and sophomore Michael Colon (6-1, 165).

Jobe is the only one that has caught a pass in varsity action.

"It's going to take us a while, but I feel comfortable with the people we've got," said Vickery. "I think they're working hard and I've seen a lot of improvement. From quarterback to wideout, I think we've got guys that we can get the ball to and make people play us honestly."

Defensively, the line will consist of mostly the same players as on offense. Lowes and Eastwood were second team all-conference performers last year while Hardin and Keller will fill in the other two slots.

Chappell, a lineman last year, has moved to inside linebacker alongside Bird. Self and Deere look the like leaders at outside linebacker. Self is the leading returning tackler with 68 stops and four interceptions last year as a free safety.

Lawrence, Duncan, McKown and Hunter will also see some playing time at the linebacking spots.

In the secondary, cornerbacks Jobe and Newson and safety Lambert provide some solid speed with good coverage skills. Fuchs, Newman, Shirkey and Jones could also see some playing time.

"We've got a good number of defensive linemen that played last year," said Vickery. "We've got the size up front that's going to help us a little bit. We've shifted our defensive schemes a little to allow our linebackers to run around. I think we've got more team speed at this point than what we've had. It's just a matter of putting it together."

SIKESTON

Mascot: Bulldogs

Enrollment: 1,077

Coach: Charlie Vickery

Conference: SEMO North

District: Class 4A, District 1

Last year's record: 6-4

Key losses: Justin Robinson, RB; Andre Morgan, WR

Key returners: Kris Eastwood, DE; Justin Lowes, OL; Kevin Keller, OL