THE EAGLES: READY TO RIDE

Over the last 18 years, New Madrid County Central football has covered both ends of the spectrum. From embarrassing losses to convincing victories, there has been just one constant -- head coach Ronnie Jones.

Now for the first time since 1983, Jones will not be leading the Eagles out to the battlefield. That will be the job of longtime assistant Steve Rogers, who takes over as head coach.

Returning seven offensive and eight defensive starters from a 9-1 playoff team, Rogers inherits a squad with unlimited potential. They've owned the 3A District 1 title for the last six years and have won the Central Division of the SEMO Conference four years running.

The school and the community have grown accustomed to winning, and for Rogers, failure is not an option this year.

"If there is pressure, it's a good kind of pressure," he explained. "It's not like I'm walking into a rebuilding program where the players are not used to winning and having success. These guys are successful in everything they do. I would rather start off on top of the hill looking down than on the bottom looking up, because it's a heck of a climb.

"We've got high expectations. When you're a senior-dominated team, you should."

Rogers has a proven arsenal at his disposal. In the backfield, senior Dereke Tipler is coming off an all-state season where he rushed for 1,174 yards.

While he may be the most highly touted returner, Rogers is quick to point out NMCC will be much more than a one-man show.

"(Tipler) is going to be an important part of our offense, but we think we have a lot of good skill people," said Rogers. "We're not going to depend on one guy to carry the load and I think it will make us tougher for others to defend."

Bruising fullback Lionel Smith returns, as does the receiving corps of Terrance Smith, Derrell Minner and Desmond Sims. Along with playing split end, Sims will also be the backup tailback.

At quarterback, senior Brian Murph finally gets his time to shine after playing behind Byron Minner for years.

"We've got a premier fullback, and our backup running back (Sims) has committed to the University of Arkansas," said Rogers. "We've got two or three good receivers, and a 6-8 tight end. And at quarterback, I think Murph is going to be a very pleasant surprise to football fans in Southeast Missouri. I'm very excited about the season."

Sticking to tradition, NMCC will depend on its quickness and athleticism to overwhelm opponents.

And this year, Rogers promises special teams will be improved. Last year, extra points and punts were a constant disaster.

Senior Jake Kimball will handle the kicking duties, while LaVontase Strickland will be the punter.

"(Kimball) has kicked the ball real well on extra points and field goals in practice," said Rogers. "We've been working on punting and place kicking every day. We now have a goal post on our practice field, which we haven't had in the past. That's working real well for us."

Again, the Eagles' biggest concern is lack of depth on the line. NMCC offers up a solid unit with Chad Nolen, Anthony Pledger, Tim Chism, and newcomer Jerry Murray, but it drops off pretty quickly after that.

"Ever since I've been here, our biggest concern has always seemed to be depth in the line," said Rogers.

"And for some reason, we don't have a lot of big kids this year. Our success is going to depend on our offensive and defensive lines. Our skill people are as good as any in the area, but we've got to have time to throw the ball and we need the blocks to spring the backs free."

After allowing just 8.4 points per game last year, the Eagles are expecting to be just as dominant on defense. Tipler has been moved from linebacker to defensive back, opening a spot for promising sophomore Remond Willis.

Linebacker Lionel Smith returns as the team's top defender.

"Hopefully our defense is going to be as rock-solid as ever," said Rogers. "I think we're going to be as quick or quicker than we have been (on defense). Like most teams, our defense will carry us early in the year until we can iron out some of the wrinkles."

NMCC has upgraded its schedule this season, adding Blytheville (Ark.) and Dyersburg (Tenn.), to prepare for the postseason.

"The schedule can't do anything but help us," said Rogers. "The tougher the games, the more it will get us prepared for the district and playoffs if we're fortunate enough to get there. If you've had close games, you know how to handle adversity. We've been dominant in the last several years, and when we've gotten in those close situations, we haven't been used to it. I think if we come in with a good attitude and we're focused, good things are going to happen with this bunch."

NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL

COACH: Steve Rogers, 1st year

2000 RECORD: 9-1

ENROLLMENT, CLASS SIZE: 603, 3A District 1

KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: (RB) Dereke Tipler, (QB) Brian

Murph, (OL) Chad Nolen

KEY PLAYERS LOST: (QB) Byron Minner, (OL) T.J. Sides,

(NG) Joey Higgerson

RETURNING STARTERS: 15

NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL

2001 SCHEDULE:

Aug. 31 vs. Blytheville, Ark.

Sept. 7 at Cape Central

Sept. 14 vs. Farmington

Sept. 21 vs. Charleston

Sept. 28 at Caruthersville

Oct. 5 vs. Sikeston

Oct. 12 vs. Dyersburg, Tenn.

Oct. 19 vs. Dexter

Oct. 26 at Kennett

Nov. 2 at Fredericktown

2000 RESULTS (9-1):

Sept. 1 at Mt. Vernon, Ill. W 44-00

Sept. 8 Cape Central W 20-07

Sept. 15 at Farmington W 34-00

Sept. 22 at Charleston W 40-00

Sept. 29 Caruthersville W 51-06

Oct. 6 at Sikeston W 45-06

Oct. 13 Open -- ---

Oct. 20 at Dexter W 38-07

Oct. 27 Kennett W 59-20

Nov. 3 Fredericktown W 49-08

Nov. 8 at Festus L 28-30

DISTRICT: 3A District 1

CONFERENCE: SEMO Central

MAGNIFICENT ELEVEN

OFFENSE

QB Brian Murph, 6-1, 180, sr.

RB Dereke Tipler, 5-10, 185, sr.

FB Lionel Smith, 5-9, 195, sr.

OT Chad Nolen, 6-5, 245, sr.

OT Jerry Murray, 5-10, 225, sr.

OG Anthony Pledger, 6-1, 200, sr.

OG Tim Chism, 5-10, 215, sr.

C Trey Edwards, 5-9, 190, jr.

TE Derrell Minner, 6-8, 195, sr.

WR Desmond Sims, 6-3, 195, sr.

FL - Terrance Smith, 6-1, 185, sr.

DEFENSE

NG James Ruedrich, 5-10, 200, so.

NG Issiac Smith, 5-9, 175, sr.

DT Chad Nolen, 6-5, 245, sr.

DT Brandon Waters, 6-3, 215, so.

DE Desmond Sims, 6-3, 195, sr.

DE Vaughn Shephard, 6-3, 185, so.

LB Lionel Smith, 5-9, 195, sr.

LB Remond Willis, 6-0, 195, so.

DB Terrance Smith, 6-1, 185, sr.

DB Dereke Tipler, 5-10, 185, sr.

DB LaVontase Strickland, 5-11, 175, sr.

KEY SUBSTITUTES

(FB/LB) Lawrence Smith, (WR/DE) Edgar Givens, (OL/DL)

Josh King, (DB) Rodney Daniels, (QB) Chris Nance.

SPECIAL TEAMS

K Jake Kimball, 5-11, 185, sr.

P LaVontase Strickland, 5-11, 175, sr.

KR Desmond Sims, 6-3, 195, sr.

PR Dereke Tipler, 5-10, 185, sr.

THE GOOD .....

* With speed all over the field, NMCC's offense is going to strike early and often.

* The Eagles will start 10 seniors on offense and seven on defense, the most since 1997.

* Every starting offensive skill player has scored at least three varsity touchdowns.

THE BAD, AND UGLY

* The Eagles have a lack of depth on both the offensive and defensive lines.

* With a stronger schedule, duplicating last year's undefeated regular season will be tough.

* NMCC has to greatly improve on last year's special teams, mainly placekicking and punting.

HOW BOUT IT COWBOY?

Inside the mind of senior OL

CHAD NOLEN:

KEYS TO THE SEASON

* Staying focused, taking it game by game, and not making the same mistake we made last year.

* Taking advantage of our speed.

* Winning the district.

BEST THING ABOUT FOOTBALL

* When I've got a lot of things on my mind, I can always take it out on the opposite team.

SUPERSTITIONS

* none

PERSONAL GOALS

* I hope to have a great year. I would like to be named Lineman of the Year.

QUICK DRAWS

Over the last four years the Eagles have a record of 15-1 against SEMO Central opponents, outscoring the conference competition 686 to 145. That's an average score of 42.5 to 9...NMCC hasn't switched head coaches since 1983, when the team went on to a 2-7 season...The Eagles have won six straight 3A District 1 titles, and nine overall.