Despite a three-game losing streak, don't lose heart: the Kennett Indians are headed in the right direction on the football field.

While losing never feels good, Kennett (1-3) and head coach Kenneth Riedinger are doing the right things to turn around a program that has not made the playoffs in 23 years.

First of all, the Tribe is playing lights-out defense. After giving up over 40 points per game down the stretch last fall, Kennett is giving up an average of 163.8 yards and two touchdowns per contest, and held East Prairie to a season-low 110 yards on Friday night, including limiting the Eagles to 25 yards and two first downs the final three quarters.

They say that defense wins championships. If that's the case, the Indians are on their way to righting the ship.

Second, Kennett still has a good chance to end its playoff drought. While the Tribe has struggled to score points of late and is 1-3, district rivals Dexter and Perryville are both 0-4 and have struggled against tough competition. While Kennett cannot overlook anyone, the Tribe has to feel that they have a fighting chance to go 2-1 in districts and finally make the postseason.

Finally, even though this season is still going strong, might there be changes on the Indians' schedule for next season? There has been speculation that Kennett may beef up its schedule in 2010. If so, who might the Tribe be lining up against?

Some teams that could potentially end up on the schedule:

# Park Hills Central
# Fredericktown
# Dyersburg, Tenn.
# Dyer County, Tenn.
# Poplar Bluff
# Crockett County, Tenn,
# Ripley, Tenn.

This is all just speculation, but any of these teams would at the least be a good challenge for Kennett and would prepare the Indians for the challenges of district opponents like New Madrid County Central and for the Class 3 state playoffs.

Keep watching folks...it's going to keep getting better.