Tribe Again Turning Defensive

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ At first glance, the task seems very daunting, even for Du Quoin High School's storied football program.

Defensive coaches Keith Ellis and John Gross enter 2008 with the duty of replacing five River-to-River All-Conference performers.

Three of those-Andrew Beckham, Scottie Anders and David Brock signed with McKendree University.

Devane Prince and Booker were also lost to graduation, along with cornerback Rudy Jones.

"We will again be faced with replacing some awfully good defensive football players," Indians coach Al Martin admitted. "But we are very confident in the kids coming back and with the younger kids are starting to develop."

Senior captains Dalton Morgan, Collin Jones and Seth Heape return as Martin's three defensive anchors. Seth Flint and Jamar Reed are back to again start in the secondary. A handful of returnees and talented newcomers continue waging spirited fights for quality playing time.

Here's a look at the defense and special teams with Du Quoin's season opener against Bethalto Civic Memorial little more than 48 hours away.

THE FRONT FOUR

Heape (6'0, 295, Sr.) was third in tackles for the Tribe in 2007, earning All-SIRR laurels. Senior Kyle Paxton (6'2, 235), Patrick Jones (6'0, 290, Jr.), Jonathon Tennyson (6'2, 230, Jr.), Cory Campanella (6'4, 265, So.)and Cory Mifflin (5'9, 180, Sr.) could also see time.

"Hopefully we will be able to use a combination of different kids and be able to again use our depth," Martin said. "We want to keep people fresh. There are some big holes to fill with Beckham graduated. We feel like Seth Heape is going to be an outstanding defensive lineman."

DEFENDING THE EDGE

While sack-master Booker has left for graduation, Morgan (6'4, 230, Sr.) returns at strong side end. Morgan had 79 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries while wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks all last season.

Josh Cushman (6'3, 235, Sr.) has been ultra-impressive during the pre-season and will move into Booker's spot.

Senior Ethan Beasley (6'3, 190) and Paxton provide more than adequate depth.

"We look very solid at the end positions," Martin said. "Very solid. Dalton Morgan and Josh Cushman could really be forces for us on defense. They both are big and strong kids with great quickness."

A TRADITIONAL STRONG POINT

Du Quoin's proud and storied football history includes a glorified past at the linebacker positions.

While Brock and Prince must be replaced, All-SIRR Collin Jones (6'0, 230, Sr.) is back. Jones had 68 tackles last season and takes over the duties at middle linebacker.

Senior Ben Conner (5'8, 185) was a special teams standout as a junior and will play one outside spot.

Versatile junior Matt Gossett (6'4, 180) and classmate Evon Stollhans (5'8, 175) join Garrett Hopkins (6'0, 190, Sr.) and Alex Heape (5'11, 200, Jr.) in a hotly-contested battle to man the weak side.

"The play at linebacker has improved almost everyday," Martin said. "We expect Collin Jones and Ben Conner to have great seasons. There's again lots of depth and a number of kids who are pretty good football players competing."

AN ATHLETIC GROUP

Martin's secondary options look promising, too. While Anders and R. Jones produced banner senior seasons, Flint (6'3, 190, Sr.) and Reed (5'9, 165, So.) were rock-solid in 2007.

Marcus Clarry (6'0, 155, Jr.) and David Rose (6'1, 175, Jr.) complete the starting line-up.

Sophomore Karson Hoffman (6'1, 140) was an All-State track performer as a freshman and is part of the rotation.

Cody Youngman (6'1, 150, Sr.), Cale Bastien (6'1, 180, Sr.) and even quarterback A.J. Hill (6'3, 205, Sr.) could see game action.

Gossett can also play safety or cornerback.

"The secondary has really been a surprise," Martin said. "We are going to have several inexperienced kids in there but we have kids back like Flint, Reed and Rose who've already played a lot of varsity football."

SPECIAL TEAMS IMPROVED

Speed and athleticism will again dot the special teams roster Du Quoin's assembling.

Reed and Blake Hester (5'8, 140, Sr.) should handle kickoff returns.

Flint and Clarry are the punt returners.

Senior Nick Baskin (5'9, 150) moves into the full-time place-kicking job and he will also punt.

Baskin's leg strength in both areas is greatly improved. In pre-season practice, he's been accurate from 40 yards in on most field goal tries.

Also a candidate for playing time in the secondary and wide receiver, Martin is restricting Baskin to kicking and punting duties for now.

"Nick's going to be a big weapon for us," Martin said. "The kicking game has just became such an important part of the game."

Hill, Gossett and sophomore Trent Bigham are the holders.

Morgan and Cushman also place kick with Bastien the back up punter.

Stollhans is expected to lead the kick and punt return teams.