Home News Football Guide:

Larger staff backing Bengals

Heather Cory

Bonanza should be improved this fall in coach Shawn Dupris’ second year. It looks to score more points with wide receiver Aaron Simon, right, and tailback Antonio Beals leading the way.

By Christopher Drexel (contact)

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Bonanza

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Bonanza team page & schedule
Bonanza roster
Colors: Brown and yellow
Coach: Shawn Dupris, second year, 2-8
Homecoming game: Oct. 10 against Durango
Key players: WR Aaron Simon, G Dieante Perez, ILB Franz Ferguson, OLB Matt Sathrum, C Stuart Montenegro
Prediction: Bengals come up short in fight for Southwest’s final playoff berth

Most things are easier the second time around.

That's what Shawn Dupris hopes after finishing 2-8 during his first season as Bonanza's coach a year ago.

Dupris returns for his sophomore campaign with more weapons, including a larger coaching staff and some 20 players who received significant playing time in his system last season.

"I've been here a year now and we've installed our offseason program, which last year we didn’t get completely into," Dupris said. "The summer has been great for us. All the kids have been showing up. They've bought into the program."

Bonanza averaged 20 points per game last year, but Dupris thinks posting 30 to 35 points each night is realistic. The Bengals return three running backs who saw carries last year, both wide receivers and three offensive linemen.

A gem of the group is guard Dieante Perez, who started as a sophomore last season and is already gaining attention from colleges.

Slot receiver Aaron Simon said returners have already looked more comfortable in their coach's system.

"Everyone is learning the schemes better, where last year it was a whole new thing for us," Simon said.

Defensively, Bonanza is still a work in progress. Dupris said five starters return, but the majority of defensive players are juniors.

"We're still young on the defense," the coach said. "But I think what's going to carry us has got to be the offense."

Dupris hopes the Bengals can reach the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

“We were in some games last year toward the end of the season that were really heartbreakers for us because we felt we played well enough to win,” Dupris said.

Christopher Drexel is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-8929 or christopher.drexel@hbcpub.com.