Pirates plan on playing physical brand of football.

Perryville coach Jerry Tucker sure doesn't believe he's captured lightning in a bottle with his 1998 squad, but he believes his Pirates might have thunder in a can.

"We're not going to outrun many people with our team speed," admits Tucker, "but we will punish them. We'll make them earn their tackles."

Tucker begins his second season as head coach of the Pirates and looks to improve on last year's 4-6 record. While Perryville improved on the 3-7 mark of the previous season, it fell short of what Tucker felt his team should have accomplished in the way of wins.

After a 1-3 start last year, the Pirates went 3-3 over the remainder of the schedule.

"The kids learned how to win, but it took us a while," he said.

This season the Pirates return their double-tight end wishbone offense, including senior quarterback Derek Cattoor (5-feet-7, 150 pounds) at the controls. With a year at Perryville and a returning quarterback, Tucker looks to add a few wrinkles to the offense.

"(Cattoor) reads the option real well and understands the offense almost as well as I do," said Tucker.

The Pirates have moved all-conference guard Andy Haertling into the backfield, but still have plenty of beef left on the line. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder senior will lineup at fullback.

"He runs through the hole the way a fullback is supposed to," said Tucker. "It's the first time we've had a really good size fullback down here. We're real excited about that. He'll get his yardage whether you hit him or not."

Senior Matt Jenkins (5-7, 160), a starter at cornerback last season, will occupy one of the halfback spots after seeing some action at the position last year. Tucker said Jenkins has about 4.7 speed in the 40 but is more inclined to run over people than around them.

Senior Joel Heuring (5-7, 180) will likely start at the other halfback spot and split time with senior Josh Boxdorfer (6-1, 150).

"I was a back in high school and anybody can do that," said Tucker. "The work gets done up front and everybody knows that."

All-district tackle Wes Amberger, a 6-foot, 235-pound senior leads a group of returners on the offensive line. Also returning are tackle Corey Riney (6-0, 245) and tight end Wade Weibrecht (5-10, 170).

Senior Matt Mehner (5-11, 180) saw varsity action last year and has locked up the center job. Offensive guard is still up in the air with a beefy junior crew of Nick Cowell (6-1, 245), Chris Rhoden (5-11, 235), Brent Bohnert (5-9, 210) and Robert Morrison (6-0, 270) battling for the two starting spots.

"Our line is looking real nice," said Tucker. "They've worked real hard in the weight room this past year. They have decent size and they're strong."

The second tight end spot will be occupied by either junior Ryan Thieret (6-0, 195) or Jake Tarrillion (5-11, 165).

Tucker is looking for a little more offensive balance than last year, when the Pirates ran approximately 80 percent of the time.

"We'll be closer to 70-30 or 65-35 this year," said Tucker. "We're going to control the ball on offense."

The defense will have many of the same faces as the offense and has five returning starters in Amberger at defensive end, Riney at defensive tackle, Haertling at inside linebacker, Boxdorfer at free safety and Jenkins at cornerback.

The defense likes to use multiple sets.

"We're further ahead offensively than defensively, that's for sure," said Tucker. "But I think we'll be pretty solid defensively. The front four have good strength and speed; (Haertling) anchors the linebackers and anytime you have two returners in the secondary it's good."

Perryville opens its season Friday night at home against Farmington.