Tigers have a remedy to offset losses

Yes, the Central Tigers lost a running back who accounted for more than 2,000 yards of offense, an all-state linebacker, a top receiver and a top lineman.

But the Tigers hope to show exactly how stacked they were a year ago when they lost for the third straight year in the Class 4 quarterfinals. A 10-2 campaign ended with a thrilling 24-21 loss to Eureka, which went on to the state final.

"Even though we have lost quite a bit, keep in mind we also have a lot of guys coming back," said Lawrence Brookins, who begins his fifth season as head coach.

The Tigers are a blend of experienced players and youth, which will be counted on to fill some big holes.

"We've lost some here and there, but whenever you can keep the quarterback, it's the best piece in the puzzle to keep," senior lineman Darren Neels said.

That said, the list of 16 returning lettermen starts with senior Mitch Craft, who has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the state the past two seasons.

After showing skills as a sophomore, Craft stepped up a level as a junior when he burned opponents with both his arm and legs. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,733 yards, threw 19 touchdowns and was intercepted just six times. He also was the team's second-leading rusher with 439 yards while averaging five yards a carry.

A regular in the weight room, Craft has added 10 pounds and enters his senior season at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds and a hot recruit for college coaches around the nation. The Tigers quarterback has been contacted by a host of schools, including several from the Big 12, Big Ten and Pac 10 conferences.

"If you've got a good quarterback, a lot of things generate from that position," Brookins said. "Offensively, a lot of things will generate from what Mitch can do."

The Tigers will add a few more plays to take advantage of Craft's strong running style and to help compensate for the loss of Southeast Missourian Player of the Year Monroe Hicks, an all-state running back/defensive back who graduated.

Hicks, who had 1,569 yards rushing and 558 receiving, took opponents' focus off Craft. The Tigers again will strive to limit the focus with Hicks' replacements.

Junior Brandon Twiggs and senior Will Johnson, who both possess speed and quickness, are leading contenders for the running back spot. Twiggs saw backup action last year, while Johnson, a small but powerful package at 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, has not played football since eighth grade.

The Tigers also have a big hole at fullback and linebacker left by all-stater Jeremiah Dukes, but junior Mikell Abraham could be a good fit at both positions. Abraham started much of his sophomore season at linebacker and got a few starts at fullback, where he also showed a good amount of potential.

"There are some kids that maybe didn't get some recognition because some of the other guys were just so stinking productive last year," Brookins said.

Senior Mark Dunaway is at the forefront of a receiver corps that graduated top receiver Seth Hudson, Hicks and some other sure hands. Dunaway demonstrated good hands last season and a knack for big plays by running back two interceptions for touchdowns and recovering three fumbles.

"Dunaway is bigger and faster," Brookins said. "All we need is for at least one of the young guys to step in and just be adequate on the opposite side of Mark. Cape has always been able to find at least a couple of guys every year who can catch the ball decently."

Like quarterback, the lines are a major source of experience with Sean Bard, Neels and Patrick Slattery returning. The Tigers will miss the brute power of Adrian Wren and John Thies, both graduated, but have a group of replacements in Kyle Schuessler, T.J. Bishop and Will Browne.

"I really think our front wall will be a good-looking and good-playing unit," Brookins said.

Most of that group also will anchor the Tigers' defensive line and be backed up by a talented, fleet-footed young group of linebackers that will include Schuessler, Abraham and Twiggs.

The secondary again lost its backbone in Hicks but returns Dunaway, who will receive help from Johnson, Clay, Colin Schermann and possibly Craft.

Both offense and defense will benefit from the special teams, led by the Schermann twins, among the best kicking duos in the state. Colin Schermann, a first-team all-state pick, booted 10 field goals as a junior, the most ever by a Missouri underclassman. He has a powerful leg and booted three field goals over 40 yards and routinely put kickoffs in the end zone. Clay Schermann averaged 38 yards a punt.

"They give us so many options," Brookins said. "They give you a chance to take a calculated risk every now and then."

It all adds up to possibly another big season for the Tigers.

"There's no doubt in may mind at all," Neels said. "I feel strongly about taking it up another level and moving past that quarterfinal game."

jbreer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 124