2019 Fall Preview: Central Football

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By Chris Parker

Shem Johnson takes over as the Head Coach of the Springfield Central football program this year. It is Johnson’s first head coaching job, but he brings experience from assistant coaching gigs at the high school, college and semi-pro level. He was an assistant at Central under former coach Sean Nevills each of the past two seasons.

“It is something I always wanted to do. I really felt like I could be a head coach somewhere given the opportunity,” Johnson said. “Outside of that (I wanted) to stay with Central. I have ties there. My mother taught for 27 years here, I believe. That was just kind of something to bring me home.”

Central will be looking snap a 31-game losing streak dating back to 2015 when the Bulldogs finished the year with a 6-5 record.

“Being around the young men and working with them for the past few years, I saw Sean’s vision and what he wanted to do. He set the groundwork, and as far as I am concerned, done the hardest part,” Johnson said. “When he stepped down to take a different role, it was almost like fate. It was right there.”

Johnson will be looking to establish a team-first mentality with the Bulldogs this year.

“There is no ‘I’ in this thing. It is all one team and one unit. We have to rely on each other. If you have watched our system you know we don’t get numbers and we don’t have a ton of standout athletes. What I preach to them constantly is that we are going to be the team that has to do it together,” Johnson said. “We are going to punch you in the mouth all the way until the clock stops. Plain and simply we have to do it as one unit or it is not going to get done.”

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Johnson will install a run-pass option offense this year. One of the key players both ways for Central will be Joseph Jabez. Jabez will be a running back/wide receiver on offense and linebacker on defense.

Up front, Alex Soto and Josh Roberts will be two of the key linemen to watch on both offense and defense.

Soto has especially established himself as a leader for the Bulldogs.

“He (Soto) understands that this may his last hurrah playing ever, so it is his heart and his will that is pushing him through,” Johnson said.

Overall, Johnson is looking for the Bulldogs to be more competitive in games entering the second season in the Ozark Conference.

“Just being competitive and being in as many games as we can be,” Johnson said. “Can we be competitive? Can we fight to the end and know that (whatever) happens we were in it until the end? We are seeing that in their eyes. We are seeing that in their actions. They feel that they can be in any game.”

Central opens the season on Aug. 30 at home against Parkview.