High school football has evolved over the years into a commitment that begins following the last game of one season and continues through opening night of the next when preparation collides with execution. This introduction and team breakdown are part of the Southeast Missourian high school football preview, which examines how teams spent the year preparing for Friday night's season openers.

Cape Central football practice Wednesday, July 15, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

Remember the offseason?

High school football teams across the country take the field for three to four months every year, but as the product has grown in popularity over time, preparation has redefined the rest of the year.

From the last game of the season to the start of opening night, high school football players hardly ever stop working.

It's a process that begins in the weight room and ends on the field, and Central coach Nathan Norman is one of many people who understands the demands of the yearlong grind.

"It's so demanding now for a high school student," said Norman, who guided the Tigers to their first-ever Class 4 state championship appearance last season. "You're asking a lot for them to be involved with a sport like that because it's year-round, and that's tough."

A 1996 graduate of Jackson High School, Norman helped lead the Indians to a pair of state title game appearances before competing at the college level with Arkansas. Bob Sink and Van Hitt both coached Norman in high school and now serve as assistant coaches on his current staff.

Cape Central football practice Wednesday, July 15, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

"We'll all tell you that it's definitely changed," Norman said. "We were encouraged to weight lift, condition and train, and we did. I feel like that aspect of it probably hasn't changed as much as the number of practices, obviously. I remember when I was in high school, you got two weeks to practice, and that was it."

Jackson coach Brent Eckley began his coaching career in 1995 at Hickman Mills High School, where he coached quarterbacks for two years before serving three years as offensive coordinator at Warrensburg High School. Eckley landed his first head coaching job in 2000 at Montgomery County High School before moving on to Union High School in 2005, and he amassed a 101-32 record during his time at the two schools.

Eckley has seen the demands of high school football evolve over the years and believes there have been a number of factors that have contributed to it.

"I think sometimes as a coach, you want to try to control as much as you can," he said. "You want to have an influence on as many things as possible. I think that's what happens is in us trying to make sure our team is as well prepared as they can be, we'll spend as much time in the offseason as we can getting them ready for their season so things move smoother."

There's also a demand that's required from coaches, one that Perryville coach Mike Wojtczuk understands.

"It's a grind, but you've got to love the game," Wojtczuk said. "It's like my dad told me a long time ago, 'If you find a job you love, then you never have to work another day for the rest of your life.' Being a football coach is like that."

As for the players, focus and commitment go hand in hand.

Teams tend to carry the mindset that games are won in the offseason, and execution is only a part of the arduous process of high school football.

"It's very important that they buy in and want to be a part of it," Norman said. "It's easy to give up on something that you don't invest much time in. That aspect of it helps. If we've got a kid who makes it with the football program, they're dedicated because they have to be. There are just too many days they're required to be here.

"It's got to mean something to them."

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Cape Central Tigers Preview

Cape Central's Jacob Holter lifts dumbbells with his teammates during a weight lifting workout at Cape Central High School Wednesday, April 8, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

The Central football team enjoyed an historic season last year, but there's no talk of that run among this year's group of players.

Tigers coach Nathan Norman just wants to see his players reflect the same attitude and effort that got them to the Edward Jones Dome last season, the program's first state championship appearance.

"I don't talk a lot about the state championship game because it doesn't matter now," said Norman, who's entering his fifth season as Central's coach. "It doesn't matter if you don't get better, and that's what we stick with. ... We talk about taking it one week at a time, and we talk about improving every day in practice. We talk about getting better at being a football player at your position. Let's take care of business Friday night."

The Tigers finished with a 12-3 record a year ago, claiming a SEMO North Conference championship and a district championship in the process. They eventually had their season come to an end at the hands of Webb City for the second consecutive year when the Cardinals rallied from an early 14-point deficit and cruised to a 48-21 victory for their 13th state championship and fifth in as many years.

Much like last year's team, Central will be forced to retool at several key positions, but Norman knows it will take a similar approach for the Tigers to return to St. Louis.

"They had a will to win. They had an attitude that they weren't going to be stopped," Norman said about last year's team. "That's what we've got to see out of this group. It's yet to be determined. We've got the physical stature to do it, but do we have that mindset? Do they have that 'want to?' That's kind of up in the air yet. That's up to them."

Spring

Cape Central's Felawn Smith leaps down the hallway at Cape Central High School during a team workout Wednesday, April 8, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

The philosophy doesn't change much for Norman, who wants his players devoted to the weight room all year long.

Norman believes a bigger, faster, stronger team begins in the weight room and ends on the field.

"We're just focusing on our offseason weight lifting program," Norman said. "We encourage our kids to run track or play baseball, and if they don't do that, then we push for them to be in the weight room."

The Tigers spend their spring lifting weights during and after school, while a handful of players participate in spring sports as well. Norman coaches sprints on the track and field team, while defensive coordinator Scott Schweinbold is the head coach. Norman said about 50 percent of the team is involved in multiple sports.

Cape Central's Blake Harris lifts dumbbells with his teammates during a weight lifting workout at Cape Central High School Wednesday, April 8, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

"We like our kids to play multiple sports because I like for them to compete in that live situation," Norman said. "We try to emulate that in the weight room in the offseason as much as we can, but there's no way to repeat the game experience or the live track and field experience that they're going to have while playing a different sport.

"... I like for them to be accountable to a coach besides myself and experience that accountability and work ethic and toughness that comes along with competition."

Summer

Cape Central football practice Wednesday, July 15, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

Agility drills are important for the Tigers' summer practices, and Norman said the team runs more drills during the summer because it doesn't have to focus on game preparation.

Central took part in the Southeast Missouri State Contact Camp in June, during which fundamentals were emphasized.

"We used the Southeast Contact Camp as our finale for the month of June," Norman said. "Our kids have been working really hard in the weight room. Up until the contact camp, we had 11 days of practice in June, not including weights. We focused on the fundamentals of football, took a little bit of a break and now we're back at it doing the same thing."

Norman opened the month of July with a two-week "refresher course" to get his players re-adjusted to a routine.

"We're installing a few new wrinkles here and there that we're going to use this season, but the summer for us is very basic. We're focusing on drills," Norman said. "I say this all the time, but our main goal is to get better as football players and get better as position players. We feel like if we can do that, our team will be better when August comes around. That's how we look at it."

While coaches examine film from 7-on-7s, Norman said his players aren't required to study film but are encouraged to watch online using Hudl.

Offense

Cape Central's Al Young brings down the ball during practice Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015 at Central High School. (Glenn Landberg)

Al Young enters his senior season as Central's unquestioned leader. The reigning Semoball Awards Male Athlete of the Year amassed 1,446 yards from scrimmage and 25 touchdowns on 122 touches as a junior, averaging 11.9 yards per touch.

He'll lead a receiving corps that includes junior Blake Harris and senior Tevyn Wright-Hunt, and Norman likes what he's seen from Young this offseason.

"He comes to work every day. He practices hard every day, and that's what we have to have out of him," Norman said. "When your top dog likes to practice and likes to play, that's an edge for your team, and we're proud of him for that."

Junior Kway'Chon Chisom will replace the dual threat of Peyton Montgomery at quarterback, and Norman said Chisom has solidified himself as the starter over junior backup Trent Leimer.

"He's done a great job for us. Not that he wasn't before, but we bragged on him recently on how he has become so much more coachable. And he's improved his game and has gotten better with his leadership skills," Norman said about Chisom. "He's a rookie at quarterback. He's an all-state secondary guy, but he's a rookie at quarterback. The talent's there. He can do it.

"He's got what you want. He can throw the ball. He can run with the ball and hurt you, and he can manage the game. Really that's what we're asking. That's what we want from him."

Senior Trevon McClard, junior Sam Lemon and sophomore Aaron Harris will contribute at fullback, while juniors Tyler Banks and Felawn Smith will join Young at running back to account for the departure of Braion Owens, who racked up 1,678 yards and 21 scores on 233 carries last season.

"I like to rotate them. ... I like to be fresh at the end of the season with the running backs," Norman said. "That true No. 1 spot has yet to be determined."

Seniors Vince Long, Casey Vaughn and Jacob Holter are returning starters on the offensive line and will be joined by juniors Colt Sweet and Hunter Limbach. Norman is confident in his new line and expects his senior starters to lead the way.

"They're going to have to step in and take charge," Norman said. "They've got that game experience and the qualities that you like, and they're all very hard workers."

Harrison Ayers, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior, will start at tight end and will also contribute as a backup tackle.

Defense

Cape Central football practice Wednesday, July 15, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

Young and Chisom are the only returning starters on a Tigers defense that held its opponents to 4.2 yards per rush and 5.1 yards per pass last season. Young led the team with eight interceptions at cornerback but will team up with Blake Harris this season at safety. Chisom had 55 tackles and a team-leading eight pass break-ups a year ago and will be accompanied by Smith at cornerback.

The biggest questions surrounding this year's team rest on the performance of Central's front seven.

Lemon and sophomore Lathan Daniels each had a limited role last season but will take over at defensive end. Senior Lamarcus Johnson returns the most experience on the defensive line and will be joined by senior Patrick Buck and Holter at defensive tackle.

"They're inexperienced, but we're happy. We like their bodies," Norman said. "They're going to have to get better technique-wise every game, and they're going to have to play with great effort and are going to have to learn on the go what it takes to win at that position."

McClard, who had 41 tackles last season at linebacker, is a member of this year's front seven. Harris and senior Corey Starks will round out the Tigers' linebacking corps.

Special teams

Young had three special teams touchdowns a year ago and is expected to lead the way again as the primary return specialist.

Junior Jonathon Bohnert will take care of Central's kicking duties.