Head coach Robert Rosenbaum saw some good things Friday night in Russellville but knows there is much work to do.

Missouri Military Academy began its season with a 49-6 loss against the Indians, falling behind 35-0 and were out of rhythm early. The Colonels snapped the ball over the quarterback’s head on an early drive and threw two interceptions returned for touchdowns later in the game to seal it.

Rosenbaum said several areas will still need some work as Friday’s game felt like a jamboree based on how developed his players were. The center position is one that can’t be overlooked or the offense can get out of sync.

“We want to move the ball methodically and hope we get a few yards of play,” Rosenbaum said. “That put me in a position where we had to try some other stuff. We’re just quite right there with some of the blocking schemes.”

Russellville was ahead 35-0 with 30 seconds left in the first half, but Rosenbaum appreciates how his players didn’t seem to quit.

As far as effort goes, Rosenbaum said he liked what he saw out of senior quarterback Gabriel Canonico, laying “everything out on field” despite tallying about five completions and the two picks. Those interceptions came on “desperate” throws on fourth down, Rosenbaum said, so he doesn’t fault his quarterback.

Canonico played offense and defense as many other Colonels have to do, including senior Brett Miles and sophomore Seydina Diop on the line, sophomores Daniel Johnson and Ryan Miles. Freshmen Trae Griffiths and Michael Moss filled in nicely at running back and linebacker, Rosenbaum said.

“For freshmen, they played like freshmen at times,” Rosenbaum said. “But there were times they really shined. I’m really impressed with what they did.”

A couple of carries by Moss started a fourth quarter drive for MMA well, Rosenbaum said, before mixing up the handoffs with Canonico and sophomore Blake Krull and capping the drive with a Canonico run.

Rosenbaum said the Colonels had many problems lining up correctly and being penalized with false starts, which goes back to the offensive rhythm as center can provide. He said he is till trying to find a permanent fix at that position as MMA heads into its home opener at 7 p.m. Friday night with Paris (0-1), who lost 33-13 at home Saturday against Grandview.

“I’m still trying to come up with a center,” Rosenbaum said. “I’ve never had a team where it’s been this hard to come up with a center. I think we got one, but we just got to get him a little bit better. The snaps need to have more rhythm to it. It kills the timing when the snaps are bad.

“We’re just still a work in progress. It’s literally the first time some of these kids have ever stepped on a football field. I’ve been trying to tell them and prepare them for the game is so much faster when you get in a game. You can just see the game was just too fast for a lot of these kids. They were thinking and not playing.”