TIGERS CLAW BACK AFTER KEY LOSSES

Cape Central coach Jerry Dement likes the look of his 1998 Tigers, even though they were hit fairly heavily by graduation from last year's 7-3 squad.

"We lost some very key players and we're rebuilding at a lot of positions, especially on both lines," said Dement. "But we've got some kids working hard to move in and we think we're going to be all right. We have a lot of question marks to answer but we have good leadership and a good attitude.

"I'm always optimstic. I think we'll be a team that gets better as the season goes along. I think we'll be exciting. We'll spread the ball around a lot among the run and the pass. Defensively, I think we'll probably stunt and blitz a little more, be more of an attacking style defense."

The Tigers lost several players to graduation who are now playing college football, including linebacker-fullback Tatum Kitchen, defensive end Ben Lowrance, leading rusher Justin Blackmon and tight end-punter Gabe Wunderlich.

But Dement says there is still sufficient talent on hand, with nine starters returning, and the Tigers look especially solid at many of the skill positions.

Frank McGinty, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior, is arguably the area's premier returning quarterback. As a first-year starter last season, McGinty completed 74 of 135 passes for 1,276 yards. He threw for 11 touchdowns and ran for nine scores.

"Having a quarterback returning is always a good place to start with your offense," Dement said. "We feel like we had the most productive quarterback in the area last year. Frank had a very good year and he's been an extremely hard worker in the offseason."

Although top running backs Blackmon and Kitchen are no longer around, seniors Demarco Williams (6-0, 210) and Emmanuel Harris (5-9, 200) both saw plenty of quality playing time last year and should make up a solid tandem. Juniors Aaron Wolfe (5-9, 205) and Donnie McClinton (6-0, 170) also figure to see action.

Senior Chris Allen (5-7, 155), who led the area in kick returns last season, returns at wingback after earning all-conference honors.

Senior Mitch Ogles (5-9, 170) and junior Richard Harrison (6-0, 165) are in the mix at wide receiver, with senior Jason Roddy (6-2, 190), a part-time starter last year, and senior Matt Welker (6-1, 180) working at tight end. Junior Ross Conner (6-4, 185), who had summer surgery, will also be a valuable receiver once he returns about midway in the season.

Dement has some concerns about his offensive line, which returns just two starters: seniors Craig Knoth (6-2, 275) and Alex Elfrink (6-2, 225), both of whom Dement lauded for adding both muscle and weight during a rigerous offseason weight training program.

A host of other players are fighting for offensive line spots, including seniors Matt Strickland (6-2, 225), Aaron Picar (5-8, 225) and James Lumus (5-9, 205); and juniors Josh Browning (5-10, 250), Derek Engelmann (6-0, 240), Brian Tenkhoff (6-4, 230) Phil Ordonia (6-1, 235) and Drew Christian (5-9, 180).

Defensively, all-conference performer Strickland returns as a starter up front, with Aaron Wolfe, Elfrink and Knoth also in the mix.

Williams is a returning regular at linebacker, with the likes of Roddy, senior Thomas Drummond (5-9, 170), junior Travis Turner (5-10, 175) and sophomores O.J. Turner (6-0, 185) and Justin Welker (6-0, 185) also battling for positions.

The secondary has plenty of experience, with Chris Allen and Harris both returning all-conference players and Mitch Ogles another returning starter. Others battling for spots are McClinton, Matt Welker, seniors Steve Criddle (5-8, 150) and Jon Stahly (5-9, 150) and juniors Chad Jones (5-6, 135) and Mark Barylski (5-10, 165).

Central's kicker and punter both graduated, so those holes need to be filled.

The Tigers open the season Friday night at home against perennial power Columbia Hickman. That's the beginning of a challenging schedule for the Tigers, who have also added a strong St. Charles West program to the slate.

"Our schedule is very challenging, but we're ready to take it on," Dement said. "We face some very good non-conference teams and then our conference and district are always very competitive and balanced."