Head coach: Steve Smith, second yearTeam overview: In the 1990s, Pattonville was a perennial power in St. Louis. The Pirates are getting back to basics under former Pattonville star Steve Smith. The Pirates were 2-8 last year and now they're 7-2 heading into this weekend's game with Francis Howell. "We needed to get these kids to buy in," Smith said. "The older kids needed to show the younger kids how to fight, how to never give up no matter the outcome of the game." Smith knows a little about perseverance. While at Northern Illinois and playing for coach Joe Novak, the Huskies went 1-10 and 0-11 but Smith took a lot out of those two seasons. "When Coach Novak took over, he told us that we'd have to buy into his system but it would be painful for a few years," Smith said. "Now I've seen the success that Northern Illinois has had, it makes me feel good and I know I can pass that down to my kids here at Pattonville."Seniors: Senior linebacker Brock Montgomery (6-foot-1, 200) is one of the tri-captains for the Pirates. Wide Receiver/defensive back Kevon Johnson (6-2, 190 pounds) is one of the best prospects in the St. Louis Area but he will have to look at the junior colleges if he wants to play FBS level football. CB Trey Bonds (5-9, 160 pounds) is willing to do everything the coaches tell him. Running back/defensive back Martez Mason is a solid football player. Mason and Bonds are D-II prospects.Juniors: Linebacker Jeremiah Wilkins (6-feet, 220 pounds) lacks FBS level size but plays hard on every down. Wilkins is physical and solid in the classroom. "If Wilkins gets into the weight-room, I feel he'll be a recruit that the top schools will have to take a look at," Smith said. Linebacker Brandon Weaver (6-1, 225 pounds) and wide receiver Matt Wilkes (6-0, 180 pounds) are two-year starters next season. Fun fact: Lavell Crawford, one of the nation's best stand up comedians, is a Pattonville graduate.
