By Doug Thompson – Publisher
In 2019, Cary Fowler’s first year as the head football coach for the Warren Central Dragons, I watched their last game of the season which they lost to the Russellville Panthers 27-20. Their season ended 0-10.
Before I go any further, let us look at the Warren Central football program since Mike Rogers left at the end of the 2013 season.
Since 2014, Dragon football have had four different head coaches, Howard Feggins one season 2014, Clay Stephens one season 2015, Joel Taylor from 2016 thru 2018 and Cary Fowler 2019 to current.
Between the Feggins and Stephen’s era, the team went 9-13.
Joel Taylor took over the program in 2016, and despite his best efforts and for many reasons the results were three disappointing seasons.
When Coach Fowler took over in 2019, he knew that the program needed to start from square one. There were players who had never played the game before, or who had little experience. Many players needed to understand the basics, and Coach Fowler understood that.
Before Coach Fowler ever assembled his first team as head coach in 2019, he made some immediate decisions for his program. One of those decisions included his team not wearing the same old raggedy unforms that they had been wearing for years, plus he updated some of the equipment.
For Coach Fowler it was about pride, unity and commitment. Coach wanted to let his players know before ever meeting them, that despite the past, it was all about the future for Warren Central football.
Re-building a football program, implementing a new system and introducing a new coach takes time. Measuring success is not always in wins and losses, but in the little things that are the basis for creating long term success.
I mentioned before that I attended the last game of the 2019 season for the Dragons. Last night I attended the game against Warren East. Despite the loss to the Raiders and a tough start to the 2020 season, I see progress.
Here is why:
- The 2020 squad looks bigger, faster and organized.
- Communication between players on the field.
- Conditioned. None of the players seemed gassed.
- Despite losing big to East, the Dragons played hard the entire game. Players did not hang their heads or give up.
- No disagreements between players during the game.
- Effort on every play.
Finally, Coach Fowler and his coaching staff are engaged in this team and program. Despite the score they were constantly coaching their players with teachable moments until the end of the game.
Coach Fowler’s focus is on his kids believing in themselves and each other. Go ahead and check that box.
My prediction is the Dragons will pick up their first win of the season next week.
With that being said, win or lose, the future is bright for the Dragons football program.
