Central coaching staff looks for answers after loss

The Central football staff expected some early growing pains with a young, inexperienced team on the field this season.

But after being physically dominated by a St. Charles West team they had defeated the previous five meetings Friday night, the Tigers' coaching staff was left shaking their heads and looking for answers.

"I have faith in what the staff's doing," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said. "The kids are being trained what they need to be trained. It's time to step up."

From the Warriors' second offensive drive of the game until the final horn of a 42-7 decision, St. Charles West dominated play up front. Jamie Luckett led St. Charles' rushing attack with 188 yards. As a team, the Warriors rushed for more than 300 yards.

"We were physically dominated on the line," Brookins said. "They won the line of scrimmage all night long."

Of course, the play of the line was certainly not the only problem for the Tigers. Once the Warriors' backs got downfield Central failed to wrap them up. St. Charles West took advantage of several missed tackles.

"We do form-tackling exercises about every day," Brookins said. "It's part of our team warmup."

While the play of the line and the tackling to some degree can be improved, Central's lack of conditioning could be a sore point throughout the season. The Tigers were wore down in their opening loss to Eureka, and much of the same happened against St. Charles West.

"Some of our problems are due to youth, but when I look at guys with their hands on their knees in the first quarter it's pitiful," Brookins said. "We've got to address it somehow. We have to try to continue to find ways to gain ground in conditioning. It's a difficult bind they've put themselves in as a team."

Central's task will not be made much easier against Blytheville, Ark., on the road Friday. Blytheville is coming off a 31-10 win over Poplar Bluff.

"We're going to keep challenging them. I think most of them will stick around and respond," Brookins said.