New season brings new outlook for Central City

CENTRAL CITY - The prep football season opens and so does a new chapter at Central City. The Wildcats have aspirations of writing a different ending than the previous campaigns.Programs that play a Week 0 game held their first official day of practice Wednesday. Central City enters the 2013 season with a new coach and goals to improve their success the last two seasons. The Wildcats kick off the year with an 8-man game at Dunkerton on Friday, Aug. 23.Central City is coming off two straight rough seasons, producing only one win each. The Wildcats managed four wins in the two seasons, following a 9-2 record in 2008 that marked its first season in 8-man and the school's lone playoff appearance."This program needs to make a big change from where it was at," said Wildcats Coach Brian Deal, who is in his fourth year on staff and first at the helm alone, serving as co-head coach with Central City Athletics Director Matt Weis last year.Deal said he and the Wildcats are up to the challenge to meet some lofty goals this season. The plan is to strive for the level reached in 2008 than to just surpass the most recent accomplishments."I'm looking forward to it," said Deal, praising the Wildcats' dedication to weight training in the offseason. "We're putting together a whole new program. I think we can win five games."A winning record would match the second-highest win total the program in at least 13 seasons. The players are buying in and ready to earn the respect as a formidable foe."It's something very obtainable with this team," Central City senior quarterback David Mosher said. "We've got a team that's been playing together for at least three years now. Everybody knows each other. We all mesh pretty well."Some might want to forget about the past seasons that included wins over new program Cedar Valley Christian. The plan is to learn and get better from those experiences. For the seniors, it is a chance to end their careers on a good note."I think dwelling on the past couple years people are more motivated this year," Running back Nick McCarry said. "This is my last year and we have six seniors out. They want to go out with a good run."Mosher and McCarry are two of the Wildcats top returners, especially on offense. Mosher is in his third season as full-time starting quarterback, making his first start as a freshman. Last year, he threw for 1,613 yards and 17 touchdowns, ranking third in 8-man District 4.The skill positions need to, and should be, a strength. The Wildcats will be running a fairly new offense, but plan to maintain a balance between the run and pass. The offense has similarities to a year ago, but includes some versatile formations. The players have adapted well to the different system, hoping it lead to different outcomes."It's not a whole lot different than what we were running last year," Mosher said. "I think I'll be able to make the adjustment."Deshawn Leudeman was one of his top received before getting hurt, tallying 375 yards on 20 catches with four TDs. Seth Schlottterbeck returns with 308 yards and five receiving TDs. McCarry had 294 yards with four scores, and Mason Paustian added 226 yards."We have some really good athletes this year," Deal said. "They've worked really hard in the offseason. They're excited for new program."

Central City receiver Nick McCarry participates in drills during the first official day of football practice at the high school Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013, in Central City, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)