Central 'D' makes strong impression

~ Tigers hold up against Cardinal Ritter, Poplar Bluff and St. Clair

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Central's defense set the tone from the beginning Friday, swarming to the ball and wrapping up on its tackles.

The Tigers' first-team defense only allowed Poplar Bluff to gain 4 yards on eight plays to open the jamboree. It even recovered a fumble before the Mules scored against Central's second-team defense.

Central's first-team defense didn't allow a touchdown until Cardinal Ritter punched it into the end zone during the third session.

"I thought our tackling was good," Central coach Rich Payne said. "I'd like to see a few more licks, but like we coach them and teach them up, I'd rather have a sure tackle than a great tackle."

Central quarterback Andrew Williams hands off to Tae Jenkins Friday, August 21, 2009 against Poplar Bluff during the Jamboree in Farmington. (Kit Doyle)

Central's pass defense silenced Ritter, Poplar Bluff and St. Clair. The three teams combined for 3 yards on 1-of-9 passing. Ray Woldtvedt and Jaeson Reddin knocked down passes to help the effort.

"I thought our pressure on the quarterback was good," Payne said. "That's one of the hardest things to get out of high schoolers, the ability to rush the passer and keep him contained."

While Chris Bird and the defensive line was applying pressure, he credited others with the defense's success.

"We have great linebackers," Bird said. "They know how to read [the play] very well."

The Tigers' offense didn't allow the defense to steal the show. Central's first-team offense moved the ball against all three opponents, scoring a touchdown against Bluff and Ritter.

ABOVE: Central's Ray Woldtvedt breaks up a pass to a St. Clair receiver Friday during the jamboree in Farmington. BELOW: Jackson's Cole Rodgers steams into the end zone against Seckman. (Kit Doyle)

"We were just out there one play at a time, focusing on the play called," Central quarterback Andrew Williams said of the offense's success. "The linemen were doing a great job out there."

The Tigers featured a pair of running backs, junior Keilon Moore and sophomore Tae Jenkins, who consistently gained chunks of yards. Moore scored Central's first touchdown when he barreled into the end zone from 9 yards out against Bluff.

"Everybody was filling their assignments and doing what they're supposed to do," Moore said. "I followed my blockers. If they block outside, I go inside. If they go inside, I go outside."

The Tigers tested their air attack against Ritter, but it didn't start well. Williams threw an incomplete pass on his first attempt against Ritter, then threaded a pass to Zach Boerboom that hit Boerboom in his hands and fell to the ground.

Williams wasted no time, going back to Boerboom on the next play. This time Boerboom hauled it in and chugged into the end zone while shedding would-be tacklers.

Central coach Rich Payne talks to the Tigers Friday, August 21, 2009, following the jamboree in Farmington. (Kit Doyle)

"He's just a big target out there," Williams said. "Wherever you throw it, he's got the biggest hands. He can catch anything. It's just good having him."

Bird said he hopes Friday's success marks the beginning of a change in attitude at Central.

"We just have to keep going, take it to the season, have a turnaround season," he said. "We've got to keep working."

Payne shared his players' optimism after Friday's impressive showing but warned that there's still work to be done.

"I think our kids came out and performed and did what we asked them to do," he said. "I was pleased offensively. We played three types of defenses and we blocked them for the most part and did what we're supposed to do.

"There's still a lot of things to clean up and that's why you play this jamboree. I think our kids are starting to understand the system and believe in the system and are working at it."

The Tigers open the regular season Friday when they host Parkway North.