Take the D train
Swanson key to Rams’ long-running success
Rushing for 1,494 yards and 23 touchdowns, Lakeside’s Dupree Swanson burst onto the scene as an all-state performer in his first year as a starter last season.
A repeat performance would go a long way in Lakeside’s quest for a third straight 5A-South title, but the senior running back isn’t stopping there.
“I feel like I can be even better,” Swanson said. “The way I played last year, I felt like I had enough cardio but I didn’t have that much. I’ve been working with the coaches and they’re training me. I’ve been working with my feet to get faster and working with my hands to catch the ball better.”
Averaging 5.7 yards per carry, 136 yards per game and 11 yards per reception, Swanson proved his status as a threat in the running and passing game, but believes it’s his size, at a lean 210 pounds, that sets him up for success.
“I would say my biggest strength is powering up through the middle,” said Swanson. “Catching the ball on a screen play is definitely something that I know I can work on. When I’m just running up the middle, I’m able to make my cuts and use my vision to get as many yards as possible.”
Like any running back, Swanson knows he’s only as good as the offensive line in front of him. Despite the losses of Ethan Eye and Kyle Mabry to the college ranks, the senior anticipates plenty of room to run.
“It really helps me; just looking at last year, it was that group that improved our team a lot,” he said. “Our offensive line is really looking up to Kyle Mabry and Ethan, and trying to follow in their footsteps.”
Swanson isn’t the only electric runner in Lakeside’s backfield. Classmate Michael James torched opposing defenses for 537 yards and seven touchdowns last season on just 74 carries.
While Swanson enters the season as the team’s bell cow, he was quick to credit his running mate, who shined in a limited role.
“We feed off each other a lot; we’ll actually compete against each other, trying to make each run better than the last one,” Swanson said. “We have great chemistry, coming from eighth grade all the way up together. He pushes me like no one else can.”
After deferring to Fisher Alexander and Caleb Dean last season, Swanson sees himself as a leader for the Rams this year as the offense welcomes new starters at quarterback, wide receiver and on the line.
“Every time we come out of the tunnel, everybody expects me to give them a big speech about how we’re going to win and work hard,” he said. “Caleb told me not to let anybody bring my spirit down and Fisher told me to just keep running and do me. With them being gone, it’s going to be my job to keep my head in the game and keep the team in good spirits.”
Swanson’s midseason surge helped the Rams rebound from an 0-3 start and share the conference title for a second-straight year. Swanson had 19 touchdowns over the last seven games, though held in check in a first-round playoff loss to Little Rock McClellan.
The Crimson Lions kept Swanson out of the end zone for the first time since the season opener, eliminating the Rams for the second year in a row with a 32-16 win at Austin Field.
Motivated by the quick exit, the senior expects more out of himself and his team entering this season.
“My goal is for us to win the conference championship outright; I don’t want to share it with anybody else,” Swanson said. “After that, I want to make it past the second round of the playoffs and make it to (the) state (championship). I’m going to push myself and do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
Ranked as a top-25 recruit by Hooten’s Arkansas Football, Swanson believes he has what it takes to succeed at the next level and is willing to put in the time needed to secure a football scholarship.
“I’m really focused on trying to play college ball, but that all starts with my academics and my grades,” he said. “They’re great right now, but I want to make them even better. I want to get it to where my tuition is paid for and I’m going to push myself to make it happen.”
If last season’s coming-out party was any indication, the sky is the limit for Lakeside’s super senior.