Fall encores: Area teams will begin practices after successful 2004 seasons

Summer does not officially end until Sept. 23, but when high school athletes and coaches begin practices today, it will mark the start of the fall sports season.

Central football coach Lawrence Brookins said he's been in the mood for football season for weeks now.

"I was already reaching the point three weeks ago where I was waking up in the middle of the night and writing stuff down," he said.

The start of fall practice this year carries more excitement than usual, following one of the most successful fall campaigns in Southeast Missouri history. Three area teams were crowned state champions last fall.

St. Vincent won its first state title in football with a Class 1 crown; Kelly won its second state title in softball; and Saxony Lutheran won a state title in cross country in just the second year of varsity sports for the school. Notre Dame also made it to the state final four with a third-place finish in softball.

"It's one of those things you look forward to with a pleasant anxiousness, especially this year," Saxony Lutheran cross country coach Larry Cleair said. "After last year, we're excited to get started again."

The start of practice also represents a feeling-out process for new coaches. Some new coaches are on the scene, with Oran and Chaffee among those with new volleyball coaches.

The most notable coaching change is the second stint for Charlie Vickery as Chaffee football coach. Vickery, who was inducted into the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004, previously coached at Chaffee from 1974 to 1977 before a long stint at Sikeston. Chaffee has endured consecutive 0-10 seasons and has lost 24 straight games.

"We're pretty excited down here," said Chaffee athletic director Terry Glenzy, who will also serve as a football assistant this season. "We had two weeks of camp, two good weeks of camp. We had good attendance.

"I think there's a new feeling. I think the kids feel it. I credit Charlie with that. He's been very positive."

Noteworthy

• Missouri high school volleyball will introduce the libero position this season. The libero is a defensive position which is noted by the wearing of a different-colored jersey. The libero, according to international volleyball rules from the governing body FIVB is restricted to performing as a back row player and may not serve, block or attempt to block.

* For the first three days of football practice, only helmets and shoulder pads are allowed. Contact drills are prohibited.

* The fall sports schedule in this area will become a little more crowded next season, when boys swimming moves from winter to fall. About 40 schools in St. Louis currently have water polo in the fall.