In July of 2011, coach Scott Weissman took over the head coaching job for the Clayton Greyhounds’ football team. Weissman’s first season as head coach resulted in a 3-7 finish. However, the Greyhounds are currently 9-3 and they are on their way to Jefferson City to play in the playoffs after defeating University City to win the district title for the first time since 2005.

One main difference from last year to this year, according to Weissman, was being able to put the weight lifting program in.

“I think the time that we were able to spend in putting the program together in the offseason,” Weissman said. “Last year, I got the job in July. The offseason was basically over. We tried to put things together. The offseason lifting program we were able to have basically an entire offseason. I think that’s probably the biggest reason for our success aside from the players.”

Another difference has been what the players have done in terms of effort.

Senior running back Tyler Walker said having the staff in place for a full offseason helped.

“Oh yeah, it’s been a lot of help,” he said. “I mean last year coaches weren’t familiar with their jobs as much as they are now. And the coaches are more in acquaintance with each other. I guess you’ve got the players counting on the coaches to know what they’re talking about. Last year, coaches were being thrown in places they didn’t know as much as they did now. They have more time to prepare, get everything together and I guess we all know our assignments, what we need to do, and we all make it happen.”

Another reason Walker believes the Greyhounds are more successful is due to more players showing up to summer workouts.

“I guess you could say we worked a lot harder in the offseason, more people showed up to workouts, and we all got the same common goal which is to be champions and make it to the Dome,” he said. “And once you’ve got everybody on the same page, you all can go the same way and you all can do it.”

No one knows when or where the Greyhounds season will end, but one thing is for sure, the seniors have given all they have to make this turnaround.

“Oh yeah. Seniors. We all know this is our last year,” Walker said. “We all want to go out and have a really good season. We want to go out making a stand.”

The Greyhounds take on Helias Catholic High School at 1:30 PM on Saturday at Adkins Field in Jefferson City.