MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week: Southport football

It was an uphill climb for Bill Peebles when he first took over the football program at Southport (Indianapolis).

In his first three seasons, the Cardinals went a combined 2-28.

Slowly, then swiftly, Southport has picked up steam, highlight by last year's 11-1 squad that won a section championship. The Cardinals got over the proverbial hump.

Rather than rest on their laurels, head coach Peebles and the Cardinals are off to a 4-0 start in 2014 and because of it — led by the state's leading passer Luke Johnston — they are the MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week, presented by the Indiana Army National Guard.

"It obviously feels good to be off to a good start," Peebles said. "It has been different this year in that we are the ones with the target on our backs. Our players have handled the pressure well so far and they have stepped up when adversity has struck."

The biggest target is on the back of Johnston, a junior who has completed 89 of 127 passes for a state-best 1,347 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Peebles said Johnston's leadership has been as valuable as his vast talent.

"This is my 20th year coaching and I've never been around a player like Luke," Peebles said. "He is unconditionally respected by his teammates. He is a quiet leader and a tough competitor. What sets him apart on the field is his uncanny accuracy, quick release and high football IQ."

His main offensive weapon is senior Cardell Tucker, who has not only rushed for a team-best 316 yards and five touchdowns, but has also caught a team-best 31 passes for 376 yards and four scores.

Junior James Wright is also a big threat with 18 catches for 193 yards and six more touchdowns.

The Cardinals, ranked ninth in the state in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings, won their first three games by double-digits, but then needed its defense in a big way to pull out a 21-17 game over Terre Haute North Vigo.

In that game, Johnston completed 18 of 32 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Tucker rushed for 67 yards and a score and caught seven passes for 100 yards and another touchdown. Wright also caught a 31-yard touchdown.

The defense got a huge effort from senior Darius Bryant with an impressive 18 tackles, while sophomore Jalen Williams and senior William Griffin had 10 tackles apiece. Williams added a sack and a fumble recovery, while junior Justin Herring an interception and two pass deflections. The Cardinals had 13 pass deflections overall.

The secondary did an outstanding job as Terre Haute North Vigo sophomore quarterback Nick Barrett attempted 38 passes but managed just 167 yards (4.4 yards per attempt).

Southport selected 6-foot-3, 250-pound senior tackle-defensive end Dondaycee Millbrook as its overall Player of the Game. Other players of the game throughout the season have been Tucker twice and Johnston once.

In a 62-21 win over Perry Meridian on Sept. 6, Johnston completed 20 of 25 passes for 463 yards and six touchdowns, two to Tucker, who had seven catches for 192 yards. Kevin Wagner had four catches for 121 yards in that game as well.

The Cardinals have a huge game Friday, when they travel to Bloomington South, which is also 4-0 and has outscored opponents 150-44.

Peebles said patience has been a key in building a winner at Southport.

"Each season we have taken another step in the process," he said. "I have been fortunate at Southport. The administration is extremely supportive. They were patient early and they have allowed me to put a great coaching staff together. Our players have bought into the program and they believe in it."