ALEXANDRIA — Change has always been and will be a constant in the universe.

And for the Alexandria football team, they’re hoping the change of a new head coach will lead to a change against an unfortunate recent trend.

It’s been two full seasons since Alexandria’s football Tigers won a game.

The last time a “W” was chalked up was the 2006 playoffs when the Tigers beat Winchester 31-20 in the first round.

For their last win between August and October though, you have to go back one more year when they downed Blackford on Sept. 16, 2005.

After a tumultuous season last year under Brad Hanner, former Anderson Indians head coach Pete Gast is in charge of the Tigers program. Gast brings with him a new attitude and a new offense for Friday nights; the spread offense which is so en vogue in the college game these days.

“They needed a new attitude, and they seem determined to get this thing turned around. The program needed some stability,” said Gast. “I think our offense is something you won’t see a lot of other teams run. I think my enthusiasm has rubbed off on them, and their enthusiasm has energized me.”

Another thing that has Gast energized is his new teaching position at Alexandria High. As a teacher in Anderson Community Schools last year, Gast taught math at Highland during the mornings then at Anderson in the afternoons.

“I’m looking forward to this school year,” said Gast. “It’s just something that I think some teachers take for granted like being in one classroom all day or being in one building and being able to see your kids and talk to them.”

New offense and head coach aside, there’s a couple of other signs that show Gast is bringing a new attitude to the Tigers.

“One is our motto: Finish. It’s on the back of our shirts; when we get a break, we say ‘finish.’ Everything we do we’re going to finish; a play, practice or a game,” said Gast. “The second thing is we’re trying to build the mindset that we’re in this together and get to care about each other. From our best players to the guys on JV, they’re all running their sprints, and we need all of them.”

Alexandria’s captains this season will be quarterback Nick Parkison, tight end/wide receiver Mitch Pruden, running back/linebacker Zach Powers and Austin Hodges who will play offensive line and middle linebacker.

Blake Abshire will be one of the receivers Gast expects to thrive in the spread set.

“The kids have adapted well to the offense. It’s all about reps, the more reps the better,” said Gast. “We showed them tapes of what we ran at Anderson. I told them this is what we’re going to do, and they’re excited about it.”

Defensively, the Tigers will look to use a 4-4 scheme with some 4-3 defense as well.

The Tigers front four will be comprised of four seniors, Derek Glass, Aaron Taylor, Pruden and 6-foot-7 Zach Beardsley who tips the scales at 290 pounds.

Bolstering the linebacking corps will be outside LBs Josh Blanton and Dylan Holloway. There will be three members of the Blanton family that could be spotted all over on Fridays as brothers Josh and Luke Blanton complete the trio.

Placekicking duties will be handled by sophomore Michael McFarren.

Shoring up the offensive line will be Will White, Cody Anderson and Austin Broshar.

A couple of newcomers in Seth and Chase Edwards will look to aid the Tigers’ cause this season.

Alexandria opens up the 2009 season with a home game against Winchester on Aug. 21 before heading to Shenandoah the following week. The Tigers will then open the Central Indiana Conference portion of their schedule at Blackford on Sept. 4. They’ll return for a home date against Elwood on Sept. 11.

“I like the (Central Indiana) Conference. I think we can grow to compete for it,” said Gast. “We’re building, and the CIC lost several seniors across the board. It’s good for us to see and have a new start.”

After three years at the helm of Anderson, one thing Gast won’t be missing is the long road trips that went with coaching in the North Central Conference.

“I’m not going to miss going to Logansport,” said Gast. “I think our farthest trip is Eastbrook.”

One other thing Gast is trying to improve for Fridays is the Tigers’ singing voices.

“We’re learning the school song. I want us to be able to sing that after we get a win on Fridays,” said Gast. “I’m looking forward to singing that song after some wins.”