Jamboree reinforces Red Devils' optimism

~ Chaffee took on larger schools in its dress rehearsal

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- A Chaffee High School football program that struggled for years has come to life under native son Charlie Vickery.

What Vickery saw Friday night during a jamboree did nothing to diminish his optimism for another solid season.

"There's no reason we can't have a good ballclub," Vickery said after Chaffee hosted Charleston, Malden and Fredericktown for preseason scrimmages. "Our kids have worked hard and they believe now. They think they can win."

Vickery, the former longtime successful coach at Sikeston, returned to his alma mater in 2005. Chaffee had suffered 14 straight losing seasons, including several winless campaigns.

Chaffee's Jordan Yahn tackles a Malden ball carrier during Friday night's jamboree at Chaffee High School. (Sean MaGee ~ Southeast Missourian)

After going 0-10 in Vickery's first year, the Red Devils improved to 3-7 before a 6-4 record in 2007 marked their first winning season since 1990. Chaffee went 5-5 last year.

"I feel like we can compete with anybody on our schedule," Vickery said.

His players also feel that way, even after they were outscored three touchdowns to one in action against Charleston and Malden (Chaffee's JV went against Fredericktown's JV).

"We're looking to carry the momentum and keep the tradition going," junior linebacker/fullback Cody Enderle said.

The Red Devils were glad to go up against fairly speedy teams in Charleston and Malden during the scrimmages that consisted of 12 plays for each squad starting from the opponent's 40-yard line.

A Malden defender knocks Chaffee, Mo., running back Trevor Cannon out of bounds short of a first down down during Friday's jamboree at Chaffee High School. (SEAN Magee ~ Southeast Missourian)

"It was good to get out against some speed that we don't see the first few weeks of the season," senior linebacker/center Alex Horton said. "And bigger people."

Vickery thought Chaffee, despite being the smallest school in the jamboree, held its own.

"Our kids flew around," Vickery said. "Going up against these types of teams, it's something we can't simulate in practice."

Chaffee's lone touchdown came on a short run by Enderle against Malden. Enderle also recovered a fumble during the session that featured one touchdown by the Green Wave.

Charleston scored twice against the Red Devils, who were stopped inside the 5-yard line as their plays ran out.

"I thought we did really good," Horton said.

Vickery said the Red Devils are "experienced in the line and inexperienced in the backfield."

Toward that end, the coach thought the jamboree was especially beneficial to sophomore quarterback Jordan Yahn, entering his first season as the varsity starter.

Although the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Yahn did not complete a pass, he had some nice runs and displayed solid athleticism.

"He's been throwing the ball well in practice, but I think he was a little tight tonight," Vickery said. "We'll run the option with him. He's a good athlete.

"It's good to get him out here before the game next week."

The Red Devils open the season Friday night at home against Grandview.

"I think we got all the tentativeness out," Enderle said. "We're looking forward to the first game."