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Despite recent struggles, interest high as Vikings try to turn things around
Photo by James Nix
The Central Cabarrus football team huddles up during a recent practice.
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Published: August 21, 2009
CONCORD - For Central Cabarrus football, it's time for a new league and a new head coach. Chris Shinn, who has both played for Central and been an assistant coach there, replaces Glen Cook, who resigned.
Central has taken enrollment hits twice this decade, losing students in 2001 to Jay M. Robinson and in 2007 to Hickory Ridge.
The real blow to Viking athletic programs was last year. In 2007, the loss of students was cushioned somewhat because Central did not lose its senior class to the new school.
But last year's Central football team went 1-10, with the only victory a forfeit.
After being a 4A school the past eight years, Central is 3A now, part of the all-Cabarrus County South Piedmont Conference.
That has boosted interest.
"Participation levels have increased," Shinn said. "We're excited about that. We're starting to see the corner and we're starting to go around it a little bit."
Shinn said there are about 30 freshmen out for football, "which is great. Total participation is around 75 or 80, which is good. That's almost double what we had last year. It's baby steps, but that's a good sign."
Returning for a fourth year to the Central varsity is all-purpose Quintin Gay, who can play receiver, running back, quarterback and safety.
"He's played a number of roles for us," Shinn said. "He's going to be in the same position this year. We're going to move him around wherever we think he can help us the most. We know the more he touches the ball, the better off we are."
All-conference defensive lineman Travis Furr also returns for his senior year.
"He'll play tackle and end," Shinn said. "We've also run him at tight end. He's kind of a quiet leader on that defensive line. Nobody is going to outwork him. That rubs off."
D.J. Watson, now a junior, is back at quarterback for Central.
"He's going to play a little bit of linebacker as well," Shinn said.
In addition, "We've gotten a lot of new blood out in the junior and senior class," Shinn said. "Kids that we've wanted to get out for a number of years. We see a lot of those kids making an impact right away. They're going to fill in some of those positions in the secondary and the backfield that we've been lacking in the past."
Changes on offense should be noticeable.
"The snaps are going to be a lot longer this year than they have been," Shinn said. "We're going to play to the strength of our athletes.
"One of the lessons that I've learned is you take what the kids can do and do what they can do. We feel like we've found an offense that is more suited to the strength and talent of our kids at this moment. We're going to put the ball in the air a little bit more and change the style of the running game just a little bit."
On defense, "We're the same as the last couple of years with a few modifications," Shinn said. "We're a multiple 4-3 defense. We're an aggressive, attacking front. We're adding some coverages and some things. We're going to try to have two or three base packages that we can run. We're going to have some bigger boys up front that can secure the inside."
While six of the eight SPC teams don't start league play until Sept. 25, Central will host Hickory Ridge in a conference opener on Sept. 4.
"We're both playing Porter Ridge and did a three-way swap," Shinn said. "We'll see (Hickory Ridge) early this year and that will be a big game."
Returning as assistant coaches at Central are Garrett Dellinger, David Madorin and Jeff Granger.
"We're moving Garrett back to the offensive side this year," Shinn said. "He's working with receivers and quarterbacks. He's coordinating the offense.
"I'm putting a lot of responsibility on him. He's doing a great job with it. I've got the ultimate say (on play selection) but he's really taken a load off me.
"David helped me with the defensive line last year. We moved him to offensive line coach. That's what he played in college. He's high energy. He does a great job. He's young and on them constantly. He works them great.
"Jeff was our wide receivers coach last year. We've flipped him over to defensive backs. He's working with me on the defensive side of the ball. He goes a great job with our safeties and corners."
The newcomer on the football staff this year is former Central head basketball coach Scott Fortune.
"We brought him over to the dark side," Shinn quipped. "He's coaching the defensive line for us. He's really enjoying it. He enjoys the kids. I worked with him in school and watched him coach basketball.
"He was ready for a change and I saw the way he ran basketball practice. I knew he could coach. If you can coach, you can coach. He's done a real good job."
Shinn coaches linebackers and running backs.
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