Tigers Look for Big Improvement

The Archer Tigers finished 2-8 last year and were tied for eighth in region 8-AAAAA with Shiloh at 1-7. But head coach Andy Dyer is optimistic this team will be more competitive and could make some noise in the region that boasts the defending state AAAAA champion. The Tigers return a cast that is more experienced and very athletic.

Archer returns three-year starter Jarvis Holley at quarterback and a big lineman in junior Hunter McClesky. McClesky was a state qualifier last season in his first season on the wrestling team and usd that to stay in shape. In the secondary, Deondre Singleton will give the Tigers some athleticism they need to keep up with the opponents fast receivers. Holley is a dual threat and can run when he is forced out of the pocket.

The schedule is brutal. After opening on the road against a very much improved Duluth Wildcats, the Tigers battle crosstown rival , a 17-14 victory last season, before the region opens with perennial powers Grayson and defending state champion Brookwood Bronco's. The bye week is after Brookwood and that could be at the right time after starting with that schedule.

"Right now we are worried about ourselves and executing and getting better," said Dyer. "We have to focus on game one (against Duluth Wildcats on August 26th)."

Archer was in many close games but turnovers hurt them as they lost at least five games that could have gone either way. "We were in the ball games and battled hard last year," said Dyer. "We had a couple of balls bounce their way. We were on the brink in the two games we won where if the ball bounced away we might not have won. We are excited with the kids coming back and the experience they bring."

Holley will be a 3-year starter at quarterback. And this year Holley will have a "stable" of running backs to go to. According to Dyer, the Tigers will rotate four or five at runningback. "We will ask them to carry a big load," Dyer said. "And they will also turn around and carry a big load on defense at linebacker." Darius Williams will be a new face as he played junior varsity last season. Will Kone is having a good summer and Randall Smith has the big play capability.

"The offensive and defensive line is a year older and they have been playing since they were freshman and sophomores," Dyer said. "They have grown up and have been in the weight room for three years now and you can see a difference physically and all the hard work they've done."

Junior offensive lineman McClesky is the anchor for the line. "Hunter is a bell cow up front. He's a tough kid who never quits," said Dyer. "He's turned in to a pretty good football player."

Archer is coming into the season relatively healthy and Dyer credits coach Alexander, the strength and conditioning coach. "We have no nagging injuries like we have in the past," Dyer said. "I just pray we stay healthy."

Archer is proud that the community is behind them as well and Dyer feels that will help motivate the team. "As the school grows, the support gets better and better," he said. "Our kids have been  here every day and it's time to produce."

Dyer added that special teams could play a major factor. "We haven't had that good of special teams but we have improved with Zach Waccholz now doing our kicking." Dyer said. "You can't win in 5-A without special teams. Without them you'll get beat."

He continued by adding "With the community behind us, that's what makes us go." So a .500 record in region 8-AAAAA may not be out of the question. "Well that's one of our goals," Dyer said.