Xavier Prep poised for leap forward in 2nd year under Dockery

In 2017 the Saints were a team with a lot of talent but not a lot of depth. They lost their senior captain Braxton Wherli after week one and then their promising young sophomore quarterback Brad McClure a few weeks later.

“The guys really didn’t respond the whole season. That was really something that took the wind out of our pipes last year but we understand that we don’t have the numbers like everyone else so when guys get hurt we have to step up. We grew by about 30 percent for total roster numbers so we’re in the right direction,” Head Coach James Dockery said.

So after just a two win season it’s hard sometimes for new coaches to keep players believing in the process but that has not been the case for the Saints.

“We have a four year plan and I would say we’re a little bit ahead in year two,” Dockery said.

“Coach Dockery is always just pushing us and letting us know that it doesn’t really matter what has happened in the past. This is a new team with a new atmosphere,” Fabrice Voyne said.

“We’re ahead of schedule this year and looking to surprise some people,” Brad McClure said.

They have a lot of reasons to be optimistic which includes arguably the valley’s most college football ready talent.

“Any chance you get a guy like Fabrice who is a sure fire D1 guy, obviously if you look at the numbers they don’t come around in high school very often, so if you get the opportunity to coach a guy like Fabrice you have to take advantage of it,” Dockery said.

Also a quarterback in junior Brad McClure who has all the intangibles to be the best in the valley.

“Definitely yea, I think I have put the work in needed. Just have to go out there and do it,” McClure said.

So going out with an attitude of why not us?

“Pick us preseason number six, pick us preseason number one, we’re just going to line up play by play, day by day, game by game and by week ten see what happens,” Dockery said.

The 2018 high school football previews will air up until the season starts, which is Friday, August 17th for some of our area teams.

Blake Arthur and Cody Krupp will have complete coverage. Follow them on Twitter for more @BlakeArthurKESQ @CodyWKrupp