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MERRILLVILLE 2010 SEASON PREVIEW
POSTED: 6/14/10
By: Donnie Smith |
A preview of 2010 season
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The Merrillville Pirates have firmly stamped themselves as Northwest Indiana’s most dominant 5A team, and one of the top teams in the northern half of the state. Last year, after a season opening loss to eventual 5A state champion Warren Central, the Bucs rattled off 12 straight victories, including a perfect 7-0 in the DAC, another sectional title victory over Portage, and a regional title on the road at upstart Mishawaka. The season ended much like it began for the Pirates as another MIC powerhouse, Carmel, overpowered them in the semistate as the Greyhounds made their fourth straight trip to the state finals. But under Zac Wells, the Pirates appear to be the team to beat in the DAC again in 2010.
Four starters return offensively for the Pirates, including senior QB Zach Raspopovich, who had a breakout season as a junior, completing 58% of his passes for just under 1,900 yards and 10 scores. Also returning for his senior season is talented tailback Denzel Pierce, who garnered junior All-State honors by rushing for 1,341 yards and 27 TD’s a year ago. The Pirates graduated some talented wide receivers, so others will have to step up this season to replace the departed Byron Ferrell and Christian Matthews. LaChapelle Bradley should be a big target for Raspopovich at tight end. However, the offensive line lacks some experience, but Rob Robinson returns at a guard spot for his senior season, and DeAndre Stewart, also a senior, should step in nicely at one of the tackle spots this season.
The Merrillville defense is always one of the strengths of the team, and even though talented players like James Travis and Marcus Howard have graduated, Bradley was an all-DAC selection at defensive end, and should have another solid season in 2010. Matt Neal, whose brother Michael was drafted out of Purdue by Green Bay in April, returns at defensive tackle for the Bucs. James Tucker and Kourtney Berry lead a solid corps of linebackers, a position that the Pirates have always had a ton of talent at. Senior Jory Cunningham at cornerback leads a young defensive backfield for Merrillville. The special teams took a hit due to graduation as well with all-DAC kicker/punter Mike Enghofer moving on to IUPUI.
The Pirates do have some holes to fill in 2010, but according to Coach Wells, “if our young players can step into roles vacated by departing players, and if our seniors can foster good team chemistry, we’ll have a successful season.”
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