Lance Bell's first season as Perryville's coach last year did not exactly go the way the former Pirates' assistant hoped.

But Bell, while not quite predicting great things for the Pirates, said he is confident they will be significantly improved when the season begins Friday.

"I really think we're going to be a lot better this year," said Bell, who added with a wry laugh, "It's hard to get worse than 1-9."

Perryville's record from last season doesn't fully explain just how much the Pirates struggled. They scored only seven touchdowns all season and were outscored 355-51.

"We had a young team last year and anything that could go wrong went wrong," Bell said. "We had a lot of injuries and we played a really tough schedule. We had trouble scoring. We just couldn't get anything going.

"It was a tough year for everybody, but we made it through all right and the kids worked their butts off in the offseason. They've gotten a lot stronger, faster and bigger. Hopefully all that will help us."

A simpler plan

Bell said he has simplified the offense some in an effort to make things more efficient and he has been impressed with the defense during preseason practices.

"I've been really happy with the way the defense has been playing. They're really looking good," he said. "If the offense can come around some, then I think we're going to be OK."

The Pirates, who still have a fairly young squad with only a handful of projected senior starters, return regulars at 15 positions from a year ago.

But one spot that took a hit just a couple of weeks ago is quarterback as Cody Klein, who started the final five games last year after Tyler Abernathy was injured, decided to leave the team.

Bell said that Kyle Dobbelare and Andrew Meyr are in a tight battle for the starting quarterback spot. Dobbelare has been moved from wide receiver while Meyr did not play football last year after participating the previous two seasons.

"Both are very good athletes and I'd be comfortable with either one at that spot," said Bell. "And the one that doesn't get the job should be able to help us at another position."

Leading rusher gone

The Pirates graduated fullback Mike Schmidt, their leading rusher last season, but return promising sophomore Jesse Whistler, who broke into the starting lineup late last season and gained close to 400 yards.

In general, Bell said he believes the Pirates will be strong in the skill position areas. Receiver Kevin Bohnert, who was a state track qualifier in the 100-meters last year, runs close to a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and other backs and receivers also have impressive speed.

"This is the best group of skill position kids since I've been at Perryville," said Bell, who spent four seasons as a Pirates' assistant before taking over as head coach. "Overall, we've got a lot of speed in the backfield and at receiver. They're very athletic kids."

Perryville returns a fairly experienced offensive line led by second-team all-Jefferson County Conference performers Sam Zahner, the squad's strongest player, and Eric Brueckner and also firepower on defense, including linebacker Joel Kurre, who earned all-conference mention a year ago.

PERRYVILLE

School name: Perryville

Coach, year, record: Lance Bell, 2nd year, 1-9

Enrollment, class size: 933, Class 4A

Key Players returning: RB Jesse Whistler, T Sam Zahner, G Eric Brueckner, LB Joel Kurre

Key Players lost: QB Tyler Abernathy, P/TE Mike Blevins, FB Mike Schmidt

Returning starters: 15

2001 schedule:

(All times are 7:30 unless noted)

A. 31 at Waynesville

S. 7 vs. Ste. Genevieve

S. 14 vs. Jackson

S. 21 at De Soto

S. 29 vs. North County

O. 5 vs. Hillsboro

O. 12 at Windsor

O. 19 at Farmington

O. 26 vs. Cape Central

N. 2 at Sikeston

2000 Results:

vs. Waynesville L 38-0

at Ste. Genevieve L 27-14

at Jackson L 37-3

vs. De Soto L 35-0

at North County L 44-7

at Hillsboro L 50-0

vs. Windsor W 17-14

vs. Farmington L 52-7

at Cape Central L 20-0

vs. Sikeston L 24-7

Probable starters:

OFFENSE

QB Kyle Dobbelare (6-1, 161, so.) or Andrew Meyr (6-1, 183, sr.)

RB Jesse Whistler (6-1, 188, so.)

FB Dan Zahner (6-1, 183, sr.)

T Sam Zahner (6-1, 221, jr.)

T Zach Leible (6-4, 259, jr.)

C Gabe Geringer (5-9, 199 sr.)

G Eric Brueckner (5-10, 171, jr.)

G Jacob Bachmann (6-1, 188, jr.)

TE Chris Flentge (6-0, 185, sr.)

WR Brian Hadler (5-10, 168, sr.)

FL Kevin Bohnert (5-9, 154, jr.)

DEFENSE:

DL Sam Zahner (6-1, 221, jr.)

DL Cody Boxdorfer (6-2, 261, so.)

DL Nathan Blattner (5-9, 210, jr.)

DL Gabe Geringer (5-9, 199 sr.)

LB Dan Zahner (6-1, 183, sr.)

LB Chris Flentge (6-0, 185, sr.)

LB Joel Kurre (6-1, 174, jr.)

LB Dustin Weibrecht (5-11, 161, jr.)

FS Brian Hadler (5-10, 168, sr.)

CB Kyle Dobbelare (6-1, 161, so.)

CB Kevin Bohnert (5-9, 154, jr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS: (K) Kyle Dobbelare, 6-1, 161, so.; (P) Andrew Meyr, 6-1, 183, sr.;

(KR) Kevin Bohnert, 5-9, 154, jr.; (PR) Brian Hadler 5-10, 168, sr.

Key substitutes: (RB) Matt Stark, 5-9, 131, jr.

Strengths:

Skill position players have good speed

Weaknesses:

Inexperience at quarterback

Very young team overall

Player Profile:

Name: Sam Zahner, jr.

Position: OG/DT

Keys to season: "I think we need to get a bit quicker on the line. We have some quick guards but our tackles aren't that quick. Everyone will have to work as a team. Our line works well together because our guards and center are returning from last year."

Personal goals: "I'd like to maybe get all-region or all-conference on offense or defense but I'd kinda like to do it on both."

Superstitions: None

Best thing about football: "The discipline that comes with it. That will help you throughout life."

NOTES: Perryville has almost an entirely different coaching staff. The new faces include Greg Westermeyer (offensive and defensive backs), Stuart Trevalle (wide receivers, outside linebackers), and Jim Bauwens (offensive, defensive line).