CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!
Fast, speedy, quick, and elusive. These are all words that can easily be used to describe Dri Archer’s performance on the football field. Head Coach John Peacock calls him lightning in a bottle. The 5-6, 155lb tailback proves that good things do come in small packages. In two games, Archer, his first year starting at the tailback position, had 25 touches for over 550 yards with 10 touchdowns. Although they don’t count because they are preseason games, the numbers are quite impressive. Last week he racked up close to 200 yards and had two touchdowns against Braden River.
According to Coach Peacock, Dri is the fastest person he has seen play football since he’s been coaching at Venice High. That’s including the days of the fast and talented Tre Smith, who holds all sorts of rushing records. Dri has the athletic ability, and should be given the opportunity to break some of those records this season. Pepe (pronounced peepee) as his friends call him, has a tremendous work ethic. Which showed over the summer, as he was an Iron Man with 100% attendance. To get bigger and faster, Dri would work out with the team and do extra workouts the same day, as well as coming into the weight room Friday mornings when the team had off.
While one may think that Dri’s goals are to set personal records and individual achievements, his goal is for his team to win a State Championship. “We’ve been getting closer and closer as a team each week.” Dri thinks that the key thing that will give them an edge over their opponents is their dedication to hard work. “As a team, our coaches have worked us harder than anybody in the state, it’s going to pay off.” It also helps when you have an athlete like Archer in the backfield. Clocked at 4.36 seconds in the 40yard dash, all it takes is a little seam and he is off to the races. Sometimes it happens so fast you may even miss it all together.
As a 2008 Captain and senior leader, Dri sets a very good standard. He has a 3.5GPA, and never gets in trouble. “It’s always yes sir, no sir with Dri.” Says Coach Peacock. “He always has a smile on his face.”
Tonight Venice faces the Sailors of Sarasota. Venice has not beaten them in four years, and the Indians look to make a statement this evening. Look for Venice to try and get ahead early and put Sarasota away. Hopefully, we will see Dri smiling all the way into the end zone.
According to Coach Peacock, Dri is the fastest person he has seen play football since he’s been coaching at Venice High. That’s including the days of the fast and talented Tre Smith, who holds all sorts of rushing records. Dri has the athletic ability, and should be given the opportunity to break some of those records this season. Pepe (pronounced peepee) as his friends call him, has a tremendous work ethic. Which showed over the summer, as he was an Iron Man with 100% attendance. To get bigger and faster, Dri would work out with the team and do extra workouts the same day, as well as coming into the weight room Friday mornings when the team had off.
While one may think that Dri’s goals are to set personal records and individual achievements, his goal is for his team to win a State Championship. “We’ve been getting closer and closer as a team each week.” Dri thinks that the key thing that will give them an edge over their opponents is their dedication to hard work. “As a team, our coaches have worked us harder than anybody in the state, it’s going to pay off.” It also helps when you have an athlete like Archer in the backfield. Clocked at 4.36 seconds in the 40yard dash, all it takes is a little seam and he is off to the races. Sometimes it happens so fast you may even miss it all together.
As a 2008 Captain and senior leader, Dri sets a very good standard. He has a 3.5GPA, and never gets in trouble. “It’s always yes sir, no sir with Dri.” Says Coach Peacock. “He always has a smile on his face.”
Tonight Venice faces the Sailors of Sarasota. Venice has not beaten them in four years, and the Indians look to make a statement this evening. Look for Venice to try and get ahead early and put Sarasota away. Hopefully, we will see Dri smiling all the way into the end zone.
