CENTRAL MOMS TO BRUSH UP ON X's, O's

Mothers of Cape Girardeau Central High School football players, get ready.

It's just about time for you to be hitting the gridiron again.

The second annual Cape Central Mom's Football Clinic will be held Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at Central High. It will last until approximately 10:30 a.m.

The clinic, started last year by Central assistant coach Lawrence Brookins, gives Tiger moms a chance to learn something about the Central football program and what their sons are experiencing.

Brookins was involved in a similar program for three years while he coached in Columbia and he brought the idea with him to Central.

"It went over so well in Columbia that many moms would call us or stop us on street and say `you're going to do it again, aren't you,' " said Brookins with a laugh. "Last year (at Central) it went over exceptionally well. We had a great turnout, a lot of enthusiasm and hopefully a few more fans on our side."

Mothers of all Central players in grades 9-12 are invited to participate. Brookins said the day begins with a chalkboard session of about 30 or 35 minutes, followed by a short practice where the mothers actually hit the field.

"First we'll have the session inside the study hall where we'll talk about a lot of things, including our expectations for their children as a staff," he said. "We'll talk about equipment, safety, injury prevention and rehab, our strength training program, and we'll go over our fundamental offensive and defensive philosophies.

"Then we go outside. The moms will participate in a brief drill period with their sons' position coaches, then the moms will come together for a brief team period and we'll have them try to execute a couple of the team's basic offensive plays.

Added Brookins with a laugh, "You'd be amazed at how much the moms really get into it. They're really competitive. And their sons are there cheering them on."

Brookins emphasized that if some moms are busy, then other female relatives of the players, such as sisters or grandmothers, are welcome. And spouses or boyfriends of the mothers are welcome to be spectators, although they won't be involved with the actual program.

"We had a lot of dads come out last year with cam corders to film it all. Hopefully they'll come out again," Brookins said. "But the emphasis is on women. If mom is busy, have a sister or grandma come. Basically, if you're a woman, you're welcome."

Added Brookins, "We just want them (the mothers) to know what their kids are experiencing, to let them know what the program is about, and hopefully to ease their minds, to let them know that their children are in good hands."

Joining Brookins in conducting the program will be Central head coach Jerry Dement, assistants Don Porter, Vince Powell and Cory Crosnoe and Tom Weber of HealthSouth.