GRAVETTE — Duke Mobley didn’t want to think about what things would be like without Kelton McDougal on Gravette’s defense this fall.
The senior middle linebacker made his presence felt last year when he recorded a team-high 127 tackles. He’s back for a third season at that position, and Mobley, the Lions defensive coordinator, is happy to have him.
“Kelton is the center point of our defense,” Mobley said. “I mean, he’s the bell-cow. He makes sure people are lined up right, and when he’s out there, you feel comfortable knowing he’s going to take care of his business.
“When you have one of the top-rated linebackers in the state, you want him out there at all times.”
McDougal prepared for this season and theexpectations placed on him well in advance. He stayed an extra hour during the offseason, using the time to work in the weight room and on conditioning.
As a result, McDougal added 25 pounds on his 6-foot-1 frame and now weighs 210 pounds. He also shaved two-tenths of a second off his 40-yard dash time and has been clocked at 4.8 seconds.
“That’s not bad,” he said. “This was the best year I had in the weight room and conditioning. I did a lot of extra things. I did everything I needed to do to make myself and make this team better.
“I know I have a job to do out there.”
That additional off season work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Mobley said he sees his middle linebacker with “a little more fire in his belly,” along with a quicker first step and added knowledge of his position, which might not bode well for opposing offenses.
Mobley said the rest of the defensive unit has noticed it, too.
“He’s not your rah-rah type of leader,” Mobley said. “He goes out there, and everybody sees him working hard and they work hard. They see him get mad when things are not going right. He wants to do everything perfect, which leads to everybody else wanting to do things perfect.”
McDougal has already asserted himself as a leader to the younger players, particularly sophomore Tyler Curley. McDougal has taken his heir apparent at middle linebacker under his wings and demonstrated what needs to be done at that position.
His job as leader has become easier because of the players around him. Some are three-year starters like him and know what to expect and what to do on the field.
“Our defense has been the heart and soul of this team and has been that way forever,” McDougal said. “This year, we’re more like brothers and depend on each other to make plays. We have that trust there that hasn’t been there before. I think that’s going to help out a lot.”
Sports, Pages 10 on 08/31/2011