CAPE CENTRAL, JHS FOOTBALL TEAMS EXPERIENCE CHANGE

To idealists, change is a good thing.

Ask traditionalists and they prefer their furniture to stay in the same spot, so to speak.

In terms of high school football, Cape Central coach Lawrence Brookins has had the whole house remodeled, while Jackson coach Carl Gross has been tinkering with the pictures on the wall.

For better or worse, change is necessary for the Tigers and the Indians heading toward Sept. 3, the opening day of football season in the state of Missouri.

The Tigers -- who open the season at Columbia-Hickman High School -- have already undergone the biggest change that any football program could experience.

There is a whole new coaching staff.

Given the transformation, Brookins couldn't be happier.

"I'm extremely excited about the jobs that our staff is doing," said Brookins. "I could talk hours about how well they're doing. I'm seeing multiple improvements just in the first few days.

"The kids are adapting to the changes we've made. Some of the changes have been drastic; others have been subtle. But I really have to credit the coaches with the smooth transition."

Brookins said there are a number of players who have had good early practices. Among others, he mentioned that senior Donnie McClinton -- who was a phenomenal kick returner last year and part-time player -- has looked impressive.

Brookins also said he may have discovered some talent the team wasn't necessarily counting on.

"We think we've uncovered some younger kids who really have a chance to contribute," he said.

Gross, meanwhile, is faced with a situation he hasn't been encountered since 1993: last year was the team's first losing season (4-6) in five years.

Gross said the Indians, who open the season at Sikeston, learned a lesson from last year and has said the 1999 group has worked harder to put Jackson back on the winning track.

Another dissimilarity in Gross' Indians than in years past is the absence of an obvious, can't-miss star running back. Last year, Jackson had Todd Wessel (now at Northwest Missouri State University) and before that Devree Flint (Southeast Missouri State) and before that Nathan Norman (Arkansas) and Glen Brunke.

That said, the focus seems to have shifted somewhat for Jackson football.

Gross -- who didn't want to mention names this early in the season -- said he has liked what he's seen in the passing game and at the line of scrimmage.

"We're throwing the ball well right now and we've got some kids who can really catch the ball," he said.

Both the Tigers and the Indians made it through the first week basically unscathed in the injury department.

"The kids have handled the two-a-days well," Gross said. "Ten practices in five days is pretty demanding. We were dragging a little bit (Friday) just because we were tired, but things will get crispy again Monday."

"Our practices have been real good," Brookins said. "In the last couple of days, the tempo has picked up to the 5A level. There are a few who really like to get after it. One of the best displays of hitting and hustle was by one of our smaller kids. It got everyone fired up."