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Friday, August 1, 2008
My Turn
Western Arkansas, AR
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By: Dalton Person
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Photo(s) By: John Owen
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Fort Smith Northside quarterback Dax Dupire seasoned heading into senior season
Fort Smith Northside coach Darrell Henry is the first to say his team's success depends on the play of senior quarterback Dax Dupire, a dynamic returning starter.
"In our offense, the quarterback is in charge of the huddle, has to adjust the plays, take over the field, lead by example, and mostly just make the system work," Henry said. "I have to be confident that he's going to be able to get us out of some tough situations."
Fortunately for Henry, following a tough start as the Grizzlies head coach, he groomed what would become an exceptional quarterback in Kodi Burns.
Now Auburn’s starting quarterback, Burns started three years for the Grizzlies, racking up more than 8,600 total yards and 93 touchdowns. He also led 23 victories and carried the team to two state semifinals appearances.
Standing on the sidelines during Burns’ final year was a player few noticed. At 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Dax Dupire hid easily in the shadows of Burns, and that's just the way he wanted it. While everyone else marveled at Burns' flips, jukes, and other feats, Dupire quietly took notes and learned from his teammate, knowing that next year he would be the successor at quarterback and have big shoes to fill.
When the season ended, Dupire was thrust into the driver's seat of Northside's offense. And he was ready to push the pedal to the floor with his playmaking ability in the crunch.
"I really learned a lot from Kodi about leadership, and knew that as quarterback the first thing I would have to do would be get everyone's respect and trust," Dupire said. "In the offseason and preseason practices, I always tried to lead by example and encourage my teammates, so that when the season rolled around, I was pretty confident we would be alright."
The Grizzlies turned out to be much better than alright, as Dupire and fellow junior running back Semaj Edwards led the team to a 7-3 regular season finish before falling to Russellville in the opening round of the playoffs.
Dupire pass for nearly 1,800 yards, rushed for more than 360 yards, and compiled 17 total touchdowns in 11 games. His performance exceeded expectations of many, and he received rave reviews from his coaching staff for stepping up.
"Dax had the ability to get things done and gained the respect of his fellow players," Henry said. "This year our offense is going to revolve around him and Semaj, and we're hoping they will be able to do a lot for us."
As last season progressed, it became apparent how deadly the backfield duo of Dupire and Edwards could be. In addition to the signal caller's stats, Edwards had more than 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his left knee on the fourth play from scrimmage against crosstown rival Southside.
"We ran an outside run play and I went around the corner and broke a tackle before two guys hit me from different spots and took out my leg," said Edwards. "It just stayed there on the ground and I couldn't get up."
The loss of Edwards put the Grizzlies in a tough position and they lost the final two games of their season without their star back.
"When Semaj went down, it really showed how much he was a part of our offense," said Dupire.
After the season ended, the two teammates became good friends, seeing that they both would have to be on the same page in order for the offense to be successful. While Edwards is well on his way to recovery, the coaching staff knows it may have to count on Dupire more than ever as Edwards feels his way back into playing shape.
"The only way we're going to be able to win games next year is if those two work together and take over the practices and games," Henry said.
The tandem likes to confuse defenses on the playing field with pre-snap motion and unique formations, but enjoys much more simple activities, like golf, away from it.
"Dax is a pretty good golfer, but I'm not so much," Edwards said. "The first time we went, we were on the first hole and when it was my turn, I probably missed the ball five times before hitting it about 10 yards."
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