TIGER FOOTBALL FILLS OUT STAFF FOR '99 SEASON

The Cape Central football program has come a long way in the last few months.

In April, the Tigers had no head coach and several vacancies in the assistant spots.

Now, under new head coach Lawrence Brookins, the coaching staff has taken form.

Andy Cheney and Robert Haggerty have been added to the Cape Central coaching staff.

Cheney, a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, has eight years of coaching experience and will be the defensive coordinator and strength coach. Prior to accepting his position at Cape Central, he served as a defensive coordinator at Fleming County, Ky.

Haggerty, 25, was a star linebacker at Southeast Missouri State University and is in the process of earning a degree in education. For the last two years, he was an assistant coach at Scott City, last year serving as a linebacker and offensive line coach for the Rams. The Tallahassee, Fla. native will work with the receivers and the inside linebackers this year at Cape Central. Haggerty attended Leon High School, which is the home of the winningest high school football program in Florida history.

Both Cheney and Haggerty believe the 1999 Tigers are headed for a good season.

"These are a good bunch of kids," Haggerty said. "They have a lot of untapped potential. These kids don't even realize what they can do yet."

Said Cheney: "I think there is a lot of potential here and a lot of athletic ability. The kids are working hard. I think we have a great chance for a successful season."

In addition to Haggerty and Cheney, Steve Williams, the baseball coach, will be the offensive coordinator and serve as quarterback and running back coach, while Darrick Smith -- the girls basketball coach and assistant baseball coach -- will work with the running backs and defensive backs on varsity and also serve as the junior varsity coordinator.

Head basketball coach Brett Reutzel will serve as the head junior high football coach.

"The new guys, I've had their services immediately and they've been God sends to me," said Brookins. "The other guys have had other commitments and camps. I haven't been able to pin them down yet. All that stuff is winding down and I hope to get everyone focussed on the task at hand."