Running on empty - Devils hit bottom last year

Attitude is the key word for Chaffee after a winless season in 2003.

Chaffee's win total has decreased each of the last four years, culminating in last season's winless record. For a program that has not had more than three wins in a season since 1990 and only three winnings seasons since winning a state title in 1983, keeping players' attitudes positive is the challenge for second-year coach Terry Brashers.

"If we can change our attitude and work hard we'll be OK," Brashers said.

One step Brashers took was to institute a weight program at Chaffee for the first time. While not all of the players took advantage of the program, the benefits have started to show during practices.

Brashers said after seeing some of his players tentative when it came to contact last year, this year the practices have been filled with hitting.

"Now we've got a few guys that will hit you," he said.

If the Red Devils are going to have a winning attitude, they will have to become competitive. Last season Chaffee was only in one game -- the opener with Grandview -- and then each of the remaining games by more than four touchdowns.

"Last year we weren't competitive. I want to come off the field and say we left it all on the field," Brashers said.

Chaffee will play the same schedule this year, with plenty of chances to show opponents the Red Devils are not to be taken lightly. Few games will be quite as important, though, as the opener against Grandview.

"The first one is a big key," Brashers said. "It's one of the few teams we can match up with on paper. It's such a big game and if you lose it, you're saying, 'Where is that next one?' If you don't get it, you still don't give up though."

The Red Devils have not experienced the thrill of victory since Oct. 11, 2002, when they defeated East Prairie.

Brashers said in the past Chaffee players have just expected a win would come, but after 14 straight losses, this group knows they'll have to fight for it.

"I think they realize they're not going to win until they earn it and work for it," he said.

The Red Devils will have a very young squad this season, with only about five or six seniors, but they do have plenty of experience. Chaffee had several freshmen who saw playing time last season, when the team had only two seniors.

Seniors Matt Sanders and Gabe Walters should help lead the offensive and defensive lines, a likely strong point for the team. Senior Brad Uhrhan will likely start at tailback with sophomore David Rhoda at fullback.

"We're a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger and a little bit faster," Brashers said. "But we still have some ways to go."

Even though the Red Devils will once again have to deal with the reality of low numbers, only about 28 boys are on the roster, this year's squad has shown Brashers signs of life through the first few weeks of practice.

"We had no enthusiasm last year. It was just dead," Brashers said. "I've seen some this year."