CHS TO ANNOUNCE BROOKINS AS COACH

After being without a head football coach for more than three months, Cape Girardeau Central High School finally has one.

Lawrence Brookins, a Tigers' assistant football coach the past three seasons, will be formally introduced as the new head coach at noon today at the Central Board of Education Office.

Brookins takes over the position that became vacant when Jerry Dement announced his resignation in January. Dement, who has accepted a position for next year in the Sikeston School District, compiled a 31-29 record in six seasons at Central.

Central went 4-6 overall last season after going 7-3 in 1997.

Brookins, also Central's head girls track and field coach, was an assistant football coach in Columbia before coming to Cape Girardeau.