Cape Central preview: Stevens gets comfortable for second season at QB

Ever since donning the pads as a center during his sixth-grade football season, Central sophomore Garrett Stevens dreamed of lining up at quarterback for the Tigers.

Stevens got some experience at the position for Central Junior High during his seventh- and eighth-grade seasons.

Going into his freshman year at Central High School, Stevens eyed making a run at the starting job by his junior or senior season, never thinking his shot would come before he had ever played a game for Central High.

An injury to senior Tyrone Reece and a lack of options at the position rushed Stevens onto the varsity squad, where he made his high school debut at the jamboree at Jackson.

Stevens said his first day of varsity practice at quarterback was almost a blur.

"It was a long day, but a quick day," he said. "It felt like it was that quick because I'd been waiting a long time to get up here."

Added Stevens: "It was nerve-wracking but it was fun at the same time. I only had a week to learn all the plays before jamboree."

Stevens showed the coaching staff flashes of his potential, completing 52-of-99 passes for 681 yards last season. The freshman had only three touchdowns to nine interceptions, but he did lead the team to its only two wins of the season.

"He got truly thrown to the lions last year, we all know that, he knows that," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said. "But he handled himself well."

Following a 2-8 season, Stevens will have to take some giant leaps in his sophomore season if Central is going to rebound after snapping a run of four straight district titles. The Tigers will open Friday at Eureka.

"His window to grow is so wide," Brookins said. "His opportunity to get better is so great. But he has to get heavier."

Despite his 6-foot-2 frame, Stevens weighs in at just 160 pounds. With the combination of a summer job and playing American Legion baseball, Stevens did not have much time to devote to hitting the weight room and other football activities, but his work in preseason camp has impressed Brookins.

"His summer baseball for sure it kept him from getting as much time with football as we'd like, but I can't hold it against him playing another sport," Brookins said. "He's worked hard since we started camp. He's had a couple of really good days back to back."

Stevens said before the jamboree that the offense was about a week ahead of schedule, but he wished he could have put more time in over the summer to bring the offense that much further along.

"We could have been a month ahead if I was throwing with the receivers every day and lifting every day," he said.

Backing up Stevens will be junior Blake Slattery, who will start at wide receiver this season. Slattery started the first three games last season at quarterback and threw for 391 yards and two touchdowns.

"If something happens and he should falter, we have confidence Slattery can step in from his wide receiver spot," Brookins said.

Central's receiving corps will be fairly inexperienced this year after losing four of its top five reception leaders. Junior receiver Eric Ennis caught nine passes for 140 yards last season, and senior Scott Dunaway caught eight passes for 118 yards. Derien Downing, a sophomore, is also expected to contribute at receiver.

In the backfield, Ty Craft, who caught 21 balls last year to lead the team, will be one of the lead running backs as well as a receiving option. Sophomores Joe Uhls and Derek Walker also will be key contributors out of the backfield.

"They're going to take some lumps early and some growing pains, but they'll fight through that and get better fast," Brookins said of his young backs.

A key to the success of Stevens, and more importantly the team, will be the play of the offensive line. Rashad Fambro and Trevor Neels return after starting last year, but otherwise the line will feature several fresh faces.

"I've told the lineman all summer we're not very big, so we have to be scrappier than we ever have been, more intense than we've ever been," Brookins said. "And we have to finish our blocks."

While not likely to contribute this season, Brookins said there are several freshmen and sophomores which could provide some size on the line in the future.

"In another year you'll probably see the biggest Central team -- offensive and defensive lines -- you've seen in a while," he said.

The current group of linemen will have to prove stronger than last year's group, as Central was simply outmanned up front against opponents such as Eureka, St. Charles West and Jackson. Lack of attendance in the weight room last summer was cited by Brookins as a contributor to some of Central's struggles early last season.

Brookins said he saw a slight improvement in the weight room this summer, and more importantly the attitude of the team is much more positive.

"As far as spirit and attitude, the tone and complexion of this year's team as we go into jamboree is a lot more positive," he said. "You can feel that."

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Cape Central info

• Coach: Lawrence Brookins, seventh season (35-32)
• Last year: At 2-8, Central had its first losing season since 1999 after winning four straight district titles. The Tigers won less than three games for only the second time since 1983.
• Key departures: Brandon Twiggs, RB/LB; Tyrone Reece, WR/DB; Marcus Rice, WR/DB; Scott Brueckner, WR/DB; Luke Proffer, OL/DL.

2004 results

Eureka L 38-0

St. Charles West L 42-7

at Blytheville, Ark. L 49-20

at Normandy W 19-18

SLUH L 21-13

at Jackson L 35-6

at Fort Zumwalt North L 27-0

Poplar Bluff W 27-7

West Plains L 35-14

at Sikeston L 39-8

2005 schedule

Sept. 2 at Eureka 7

Sept. 9 at St. Charles West 7

Sept. 16 Blytheville, Ark. 7

Sept. 22 Normandy 7

Sept. 30 at SLUH 7

Oct. 6 Jackson 7

Oct. 13 Fort Zumwalt North 7

Oct. 21 at Poplar Bluff 7

Oct. 28 at West Plains 7

Nov. 3 Sikeston 7

Offense

• Sophomore quarterback Garrett Stevens has a year of work under his belt after showing flashes of talent during his freshman year, when he was thrust into the starting role. The play of the offensive line, which returns just two starters, will be a key to the offense's success. At running back, converted receiver Ty Craft and sophomores Joe Uhls and Derek Walker will share the load.

Returning starters:

QB Garrett Stevens 6-2 160 So.

RB Ty Craft 5-11 180 Sr.

OL Trevor Neels 6-0 210 Sr.

OL Rashad Fambro 6-2 225 Sr.

Defense

• Opponents averaged more than 30 points a game against Central last season, with much of that damage done on the ground. The Tigers will be relatively young at all positions on defense. Ty Craft returns at defensive back.

Returning starters:

DL Rashad Fambro 6-2 225 Sr.

DL Trevor Neels 6-0 210 Sr.

DB Ty Craft 5-11 180 Sr.

Special teams

• Central's kicking game suffered after the loss of kicker Colin Schermann and punter Clay Schermann to graduation after the 2003 season. With a year of experience, junior Andy Billmeyer could show improvement. Former soccer player Tyler McNabb, a sophomore, could also provide depth at kicker. In the return game, the Tigers may use track speedster Hykeem Hammonds.

Returning starters:

K Andy Billmeyer 5-9 155 Jr.

Outlook

• Central suffered its worst season since 1999 and will have to rely on a relatively untested group to rebound. Sophomore quarterback Garrett Stevens has shown a live arm. His growth, along with an improved line, could put the Tigers in line for their fifth district title in six years.