Central Purple Pounders

Pedal to the metal

There is a lot of teaching happening in Harrison.

First-year Central head coach Gary Bloodsaw is doing a lot of the talking, because the players need the education.

"A lot of teaching in football is teaching life-learning experiences," Bloodsaw said. "We make them understand that football is a game, but you learn life lessons from it. Shortcuts don't do it.

"Hard word and dedication is the key."

Bloodsaw and his staff also are teaching fundamentals of the game to a group with plenty of raw talent that needs to be refined.

Take quarterback Taven Spann, for example. He's a senior but has never played the position in his career. So he must learn the playbook from a different perspective than a running back, as well as the fundamentals of throwing a crisp pass with the proper timing.

"He's picked up the plays and learned them, so he corrects me sometimes when I make a mistake," Bloodsaw said. "He throws the short and intermediate route OK, and he's getting some arm strength."

Developing a touch and connections with receivers DayQuan Witcher and James Walker is progressing as well.

"He's starting to put it up and let them run under it," Bloodsaw said.

The education seems to be paying off.

Capsule by David Uchiyama; contact at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or follow on Twitter: @UchiyamaCTFP