Wayne Bragg, football coach at Panther Creek High, is so competitive that his wife said it makes him mad to lose to his daughter in "Go Fish."

But this season, Panther Creek's first as a varsity football program, Bragg has watched his team win only one of five games.

That victory came against Holly Springs, which has not won this season -- its first as a varsity football team.

But at least Panther Creek and Holly Springs have played in some close games.

Carrboro's closest game was a 26-point loss to Cedar Ridge, 41-15. Carrboro has allowed 456 points in seven games.

Losing hurts.

In the depths of Carrboro coach Jason Tudryn's heart he knew the odds of winning against Orange (an 80-19 loss) or Pittsboro Northwood (82-0) were small. But he and his staff, like the staffs at Panther Creek and Holly Springs, prepared their team, developed game plans and taught fundamentals as if those things would assure a win.

"We're on a journey," Tudryn said. "It is not a short journey. It is not a journey for one season."

After a loss like the 89-0 blasting by Burlington Cummings, you might expect the losing coaches to dent lockers with their heads, bury the game tape and cement the hole, and for players to turn in their uniforms.

Instead, those who lose work at becoming winners.

The Carrboro team gathers at 9 a.m. every Saturday to watch each film over and over, every minute, uncensored. Attendance is close to 100 percent.

"We're teachers," Tudryn said. "They need to watch the tape. That is part of the learning process, seeing your mistakes."

The coaches speak themes familiar to all football teams -- turnovers and penalties are killers, you can't miss assignments, trust your teammates.

But it is tough for coaches to prepare players week after week, fearing it probably won't be good enough.

"You see, for example, that having your cornerback in press coverage, jamming a receiver, might work," said Panther Creek's Bragg. "Then you realize that you are not physically able to do that."

Bragg said his assistants sustain him.

"Sometimes you get caught up in the wins and losses and forget what we're doing and what you are trying to do," Bragg said.

And despite the three teams' 1-18 combined record, the coaches are proud of many things.

"I really thought that at some point against physical teams, we'd maybe tuck our heads," Holly Springs coach Jim Hynus said. "They haven't done that. They just dust themselves off and get up."

Carrboro's Tudryn said he believes the community understands his players are playing as hard as they can. He emphasizes they play for themselves and the community.

Like most high school football coaches who experience a string of losses, Tudryn is thinking about the future.

He knows, for example, there are 55 eighth-grade football players who are expected to attend Carrboro next fall. Several are good athletes.

The Jaguars might be able to contend for a league title in a couple of years.

The future is a relative term for optimistic coaches. The future to them is probably not what you think.

"Am I looking to the future?" Tudryn said. "I sure am.

"I can't wait until Friday night."

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.