Here's the point: Optimism at CPU

CENTER POINT -- Not all 4-6 seasons are built the same.Nearly 90 football players clipped on their helmets as Center Point-Urbana began its first practice of the 2012 season Monday afternoon on a dusty practice field adjacent to Rogers Field. The Stormin' Pointers aren't your run-of-the-mill, four-win, one-and-done playoff team.After starting 0-5 last season, CPU won four straight games to reach the Class 3A playoffs. A first-round exit, at the hands of perennial power Solon, didn't dampen the momentum much."I'm not ready for summer to be over," receiver Josh Jirak said. "But I'm ready for football to start."The Stormin' Pointers return their quarterback (Ryan Wilkin), their top running back (Brandon Roseberry), their top receiver (Jirak) and three of their top four tacklers.What's more, they move down a class, to 2A.On paper, this demands optimism. But there's something standing between the Stormin' Pointers and bravado overload -- defending 3A state champion Union hosts CPU in the season opener Aug. 24."They're the champs; we wouldn't want to start any other way," Jirak said. "We'll see how we match up with a very good team right away."If the Stormin' Pointers are thinking big, they're not talking big. Lineman Sawyer Krotz was matter-of-fact as he prepared for the season's first official practice."We definitely have a chance to be good," Krotz said. "We hope to take it."Jirak said, "We have to go out and perform. We want to make it to the UNI-Dome, because we haven't been there in a long time."With that possibility in mind, the program's numbers have grown. There are 23 seniors on the squad, including "probably three kids who have never played football before, just because they want to be a part of this," according to Coach Dan Burke, who is beginning his fifth season.There are more players. And there is more accountability. The Stormin' Pointers began a lifting program in mid-January. Those that were behind, were making up squats and curls last Friday."I think there's a better attitude, better senior leadership," Krotz said. "If there's any messing around, we're going to nip it in the bud."