THE INDIANS: KINGS OF THE HILL

Since the famine of the 80's and early 90's, these have been bountiful times for St. Vincent football.

The numbers have been positively robust. Last year, with a bumper crop of 22 seniors (70 in the program), the Indians finished Class 1A runner-up for the second time in three seasons. St. Vincent rolled off 13 straight victories before suffering its only loss of the year in a 12-0 loss to Sante Fe in the state championship game.

The question this year is, will the Indians be able to maintain the high standard?

The early numbers suggest the St. Vincent feast may be beginning to wind down: The Indians boast only 12 seniors this year and only three starters return. Many players will be moving up from a JV team that was a mortal 4-4.

Second-year head coach Keith Winkler doesn't hesitate to declare the state of the Indians.

"We're rebuilding," Winkler said. "People don't like hear that word, but that's what we're doing, we're replacing 22 seniors."

These aren't exactly lean times either as the program still has a healthy 58 players involved, 22 of which are freshmen. But a standard has been set, part of the double-edge sword which the Indians wield. The Indians are 37-4 over the past three seasons.

"We enjoy the tradition that has been built over the last few years," said Winkler. "But there are a lot of expectation that run with that. When we play, we always have a good following. But at the same time the kids expect a lot out of themselves, which is good, but on the negative side sometimes people forget these are 15- and 16-year-old kids."

The Indians are also marked men that can provide a long-time memory for opponents.

"Everybody shoots for you and you have to come ready to play every game," said Winkler. "If they beat us, that's a nice feather."

In winning their fifth straight district title, the Indians got a taste of what probably awaits them this season. Once-powerful Valle of Ste. Genevieve provided a strong challenge before wilting late, while a young Hayti team had St. Vincent fighting for its season. St. Vincent blocked two punts as it ultimately won the battle of Indians 22-16.

"We felt fortunate to get out of district last year," said Winkler. "Hayti pushed us to the limit."

Both Valle and Hayti are expected to return key players, while St. Vincent was hit hard by the loss of seniors.

Among the notable losses were quarterback Jonathan Paulus, all-state kicker Derek Kutz, who's now playing for Southeast Missouri, and leading rusher Mark Gotto.

The lone returners starters, all seniors, are tailback Adam Bockman, who was second to Gotto with 600 yards rushing, defensive tackle Matt Zoellner and linebacker Cris Meyer.

Blessed with the luxury of platooning the past several seasons, which helped put away teams like Valle in the second half, the Indians will rely heavily on two-way play. The list of probable starters shows eight players pulling double duty.

"We have a lot of fresh faces, but it doesn't lower our expectations," said Winkler. "But we have to be realistic and know that we are inexperienced."

Former JV quarterback Tyler Paulus, a junior, will fill his cousin's spot at the varsity level.

"The thing that is going to hurt him is getting that experience early," said Winkler. "He has to step up and be a leader early."

He will be operating behind an inexperienced line that will consist of two seniors and three juniors. The Indians projected starting lineup features five seniors and six juniors overall.

Even though the team is inexperienced, most of the players have witnessed past successes firsthand. Winkler is hoping some of the lessons of past success will serve as an intangible.

"That's what we're hoping," said Winkler. "I think there's something to it, but sometimes I think it's a little bit of a myth. You have to have kids that want to work hard. Up to this point, they have worked hard and want to be successful. They've seen how other people go about and be successful, so that has helped."

St. Vincent

Coach, year, record: Keith Winkler, 2nd year, 13-1

Enrollment, class size: 184, Class 1A

Key Players returning: (TB) Adam Bockman, (DT) Matt Zoellner, (LB) Cris Meyer

Key Players lost: (QB) Jonathan Paulus, (K/P/CB) Derek Kutz, (OG/DT) Joey Gueth, (OG/DT) Ryan Brown, (WR/DE) Nathan Thomas, (MLB/TB) Mark Gotto

Returning starters: (TB) Adam Bockman, (DT) Matt Zoellner, (LB) Cris Meyer

2001 schedule:

A. 31 vs. Park Hills

S. 7 vs. Brentwood

S. 15 at Lutheran South

S. 21 vs. Grandview

S. 28 at St. Pius

O. 6 vs. Carutherville

O. 12 at Crystal City

O. 19 at Chaffee

O. 26 vs. Valle

N. 2 at Hayti

2000 Results:

St. Vincent (13-1)

at Park Hills W 22-19

at Brentwood W 44-6

vs. Lutheran South W 13-10

at Grandview W 65-12

vs. St. Pius W 31-15

vs. Caruthersville W 24-0

vs. Crystal City W 35-0

vs. Chaffee W 35-0

vs. Valle W 31-6

vs. Hayti W 22-16

at Van Far W 28-0

at Westran W 31-8

vs. Adrian W 24-7

vs. Santa Fe (TWA) L 12-0

Probable starters:

OFFENSE

QB Tyler Paulus (155, jr.)

RB Adam Bockman (180, sr.)

FB Joel Carron (165, jr.)

T Matt Zoellner (185, sr.)

T Matt Sauer (165, sr.)

C Dominic Richardet (165, jr.)

G Matt Wengert (263, jr.)

G Danny Kirn (215, jr.)

TE Adam Prost (170, sr.)

WR Brandon Klaus (145, sr.)

FL Brad Renner (140, jr.)

DEFENSE:

DT Matt Sauer (165, sr.)

DT Matt Zoellner (185, sr.)

DT Andrew Prost (190, sr.)

DE Joel Carron (165, jr.)

DE Adam Prost (170, sr.)

LB Dominic Richardet (165, jr.)

LB Cris Meyer (160, sr.)

LB Adam Bockman (180, sr.)

SS Brad Renner (140, jr.)

CB Dane Balsman (135, sr.)

CB Brandon Klaus (145, sr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS: (K/P) Tyler Paulus, 155, jr.; (KR/PR) Brad Renner, 140, jr.; (KR/PR) Adam Bockman 180, sr.

Key substitutes: (WR) Michael Hoeh, 150, sr., (WR) Nick Hotop, 130, sr.; (OL/DL) David Hutchison, 220, sr.; (TE) Nathan Rowland, 165, sr.

Strengths:

Good team speed

Work ethic

Weaknesses:

Totally new offensive line

Lack of depth

Overall inexperience

Player Profile

Name: Michael Hoeh

Position: wide receiver/defensive back

Keys to season: "We've got a lot of younger kids on the team who didn't get much game time. It might take a while to get used to game situations and learning to work together."

Personal goals: "I just want to stay in shape during the season."

Superstitions: "I usually eat spaghetti the night before a game."

Best thing about football: "Being able to tackle people. It gives you an adrenaline rush."

Notes: St. Vincent has won five consecutive district titles. ...The Indians played in the Class 1A state championship game last year, losing 12-0 to Sante Fe. ...St. Vincent compiled a 6-34 record from 1990-93 but is 69-15 since, including 37-4 over the past three seasons.