High school career comes to a close for Cape Central football standout Al Young

The Cape Central football program didn't rise to three consecutive Class 4 state semifinals because of Al Young, but it wouldn't have been there without him. So when the Tigers hosted Webb City on Saturday afternoon at Tiger Stadium, there was a lot of talk about it being the last opportunity for fans to watch Young play in Cape Girardeau. Technically, that might not turn out to be true, but more on that later. The point was that Alfriazo Young has been a scintillating presence in black and orange, and Saturday marked the end of an era.

When Young walked off the field following a 35-14, season-ending loss to the Cardinals, it was in tears. The Tigers proved they could hang with powerful Webb City for a while, remaining close through, essentially, three quarters; but the loss -- the third such deep playoff defeat to the Cardinals that Young has experienced -- cut deep. And his performance in this particular game won't be one that's memorialized -- 12 carries for 45 yards, one catch for 5 yards and a fumble.

"It hurts a lot," Young said. "We fought really hard, but we just couldn't pull it off. They were the better team today."

Cape Central's Al Young is brought down by Webb City's HunterVanlue in the first quarter during a Class 4 semifinal Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at Cape Central High School. (Glenn Landberg)

Young blamed himself for not doing enough, but the truth of the matter was there were few situations in which he was set up to succeed against Webb City. Wind gusts of close to 40 miles per hour battered any semblance of a passing game to supply Young down field, and double teams by a virtually flawless defense kept Young from making much of an impact. In fact, only four of his rushes came during the critical flow of the game -- eight came on the final drive of the contest, with the result decided, after quarterback Kway'Chon Chisom went down with a shoulder injury.

It was, in a way, a fitting -- if sad -- way for Central's season to end, with Young standing in for his close friend and the 2015 campaign burning out with the football in the senior star's hands.

"You can't say enough about him," Central coach Nathan Norman said. "Obviously his dynamic play on Friday nights is what everybody sees, but for me as a coach -- I've told him this and several of them this -- he hasn't missed any practices this year. None. That's huge. For one, he's tough because you know he didn't feel good every day, and for two, he's committed. And you've got to have that out of your key players when you want to be good because when the key player shows up and works hard every day, so does everybody else. That's what I appreciate about him the most -- his toughness and attitude about going to work every day. He loves the game."

There is only one player who has started in every one of the Tigers' last three state semifinal appearances, and that is Young. He announced himself as a sophomore and has since set Central single-season marks for touchdowns, receiving touchdowns, yards per catch, points scored and interceptions, as well as career records for receiving touchdowns, total touchdowns, receiving yards, yards per catch and points scored. He has the longest interception return for a TD in school history, longest TD catch and most touchdowns in a single game.

Nobody knows Young better than Chisom, who has played football with him since the fourth grade. Their off-field relationship has helped their on-field one flourish, whether Chisom is getting Young the ball on offense or lining up alongside him in the defensive secondary.

"It's easy, for real," Chisom said. "It's easy. We've been around each other so long that I know what he wants, and he knows what I want. And we just try to make it happen. Tonight we just came up short."

Part of the reason was that Webb City is well versed in Al Young, and he was a top priority on the Cardinals' scouting report.

"We're well aware of how good he is and how talented he is and how good of a player he is," Webb City coach John Roderique said. "He's a difference maker. He's just so dynamic. He's the type of player you've got to account for, obviously. I remember telling someone, watching him battle it out with Kiante Hardin [former Webb City standout, currently at the University of Minnesota] the last two years, that was just really neat to watch two good players go at it.

"He just has really good size and strength, and he's just so dynamic. I can recall him last year him having two interceptions against us in the Dome [in the Class 4 state championship]. Clearly we weren't going to try to throw it in his direction today."

Young left a major impression on Roderique; the Webb City coach is not the only one. It's undeniable that Young has left a major legacy at Central, and that's something he takes pride in.

"I hope they remember me good," Young said. "Every play, I played my hardest. Every route, I ran my hardest. Everything I did, I did hard. That's how I hope the team remembers me and the fans remember me."

How will he be remembered? If the buzz before and during Saturday's game is indicative, Young has nothing to worry about. He may have walked off the field fighting back tears and thinking he didn't do enough, but it's clear that there was no one in a Tiger uniform that people wanted to see play more than Young.

For his close friend, there's no question the kind of legacy that Young has left behind.

"To me, personally, I think he's the best person to play at Central," Chisom said. "You hear a lot of talk about players in other areas, but they don't play the schedule we do. I watched Al play against the top corner in the state, and he just destroyed him. He's just the best high school player I've played with. ... I'm glad I got to be part of his career."

Young's Tiger football career is over, but there still may be more to come. The versatile weapon has received offers from Southeast Missouri State and Missouri State, and, according to recruiting site 247Sports, drawn interest from Football Bowl Subdivision programs Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Purdue and Wyoming.

Young, for his part, is remaining mum about what might be next for him. Many fans are excited about the potential of pulling on a Redhawk uniform at Southeast. If that were to happen -- and both parties seem very interested -- then that could mean Young has yet to make his final farewell to football in Cape Girardeau.

"I'm focused on [Central], but I've got to get ready for college and be ready for anything," Young said. "I've got to find out what college I'm going to and get ready for that. I'm taking it day by day."

Young won't show his hand or discuss a specific timeline for a decision, but perhaps someone close to him might have some insight?

"We talk about it," Chisom said, laughing. "We're going to see."

Tiger fans, though, have seen all they need to.