Fresh Start: Charleston looking to rebuild football program

New Charleston head football coach Brett Blackman talks to players at Bluejay football camp on Wednesday afternoon.
(Photo by Brent Shipman, Staff)

sd_sports@yahoo.com

CHARLESTON -- With the Charleston football program coming off two straight 1-9 seasons, first year coach Brett Blackman is hoping a change in attitude will lead to a change in fortune for the Bluejays football program.

"The No. 1 thing we're trying to do is be positive with the kids right now," he said. "They've had a lot of negative experiences and we're trying to be really positive with them, be encouraging and try to motivate them."

So far the strategy appears to be paying off. After finishing last season with only 14 players on the roster Charleston has seen a turnout of around 35 kids for its summer mini-camp and weight lifting program.

"We've been really impressed," Blackman said. "We've had consistent numbers, something that they haven't had in the past."

Having coached at other local high school programs, Blackman brings experience in the region to his new position in charge of the Charleston program.

He last coached at Sikeston where he served as the varsity assistant coach, head freshman coach and supervised the seventh and eighth grade teams.

Prior to that he served as head coach at East Prairie high school where he guided the Eagles to a 4-5 record during the 2003 season.

He makes the third coach in as many seasons for the Bluejay football program.

Though his team's only been back to practicing a few weeks now, junior Glenn Fennell sees a big difference in the team than when he last took the field.

"So far we're looking pretty good," he said. We've had better progress that what we've had (in the past).

"We have a lot of young people this year and we should be okay if we come out and work hard."

The Bluejays are using this week to install their new offensive scheme, the spread.

Junior Maurice Moore said after last year's squad mainly ran the ball up the middle, the new spread offense will be a breath of fresh air.

"It's a lot better," he said. "We can spread the field.

"Not just run it all the time, but be able to run and pass to balance the field out more."

On defense, Blackman said they plan to use a 4-2-5 system, which he said will be very familiar with the 4-4 system that other teams in the area are using.

Junior quarterback Jamaul Gray said after two rough season where focus was an issue, this year's squad is all business.

"Last year everybody was joking around and then when it was game time they would try to get serious, but we'd still lose," he said. "There's not that much joking around anymore."

While there only two weeks into their summer program Blackman said he feels he's getting great feedback from his new approach.

"They've been positive," he said. "I ask them what they think and they say 'coach this is a 100 percent turnaround from what we had last year.'"

Charleston will still have the rest of the summer before they get a chance to see the fruits of their labor, kicking off its season Aug. 27 at home against the Kennett Indians.