In recent weeks, Cape Central and Vianney have been going in the same direction: downhill.

Tonight, they are taking somewhat opposite approaches to get pointed in the direction of a district championship.

Central (2-5) plays at Vianney (3-4) at 7:30 in week one of Class 5A District 1 play. The district is wide open, featuring three teams at 3-4 (Vianney, Jackson and Poplar Bluff) and Central a game back.

"Toss it up," Central coach Jerry Dement said. "Our toughest thing is that we have to win our first two (the Tigers play at Jackson next week) on the road."

Central, which relied more heavily on its running game than usual in a 9-7 loss to St. Charles West last week, will let it all hang out. Vianney, bitten hard by the turnover bug while losing its last four games, will try to play it safe.

"We're going back to the normal game plan and just go for it," Dement said. "Yeah, (quarterback Frank McGinty) has been off a little bit, but we're going to crank up the passing game a little bit."

Central's air attack was nearly unstoppable in the Tigers' first five games of the season. The last two weeks, however, it has been grounded.

Dating back to the beginning of last season, McGinty had been intercepted only three times prior to Central's game against Sikeston two weeks ago. He was picked five times in that game and once against St. Charles West last week, when he threw for a season-low 78 yards.

For the season, McGinty has completed 103 of 180 passes for 1,377 yards. He has thrown nine touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Chris Allen was held without a catch last week. He has 46 receptions for 608 yards and seven touchdowns this year.

But Central's defense excelled, stopping the run -- against a good running team -- for the first time this season.

"I was really proud of them," said Dement, who pointed to the performances of Travis Turner, Craig Knoth, DeMarco Williams and Aaron Wolfe. "When their best plays are a blocked kick and a fumbled punt, you know we played good defense."

Stopping the run will be the Tigers' main challenge this week. Vianney is BIG up front, with All-Metro Catholic Conference right tackle Bob Houchin (310 pounds), right guard Amahd Polack (260), center Jerry Eidson (230), left guard Pat Walsh (210) and left tackle Mike Nettemeyer (240).

Fullback David Wucher leads the Golden Griffins' double-slot attack with 600 yards rushing.

Vianney started the season 3-0, with wins over Fox, Lafayette and a graduation-softened CBC team before losing to SLUH, DeSmet, Chaminade and St. Francis-Borgia.

"We like to keep the ball on the ground," Vianney coach Gene Gladstone said. "But if we put the football on the ground we look pretty ugly.

"We have to control two factors: keep possession of the ball and contain their big plays. Their skill people are just awesome."

Vianney defended the pass well against CBC and Lindbergh (holding the Flyers to 0-17 passing in a 26-3 win) but were beaten through the air against pass-happy SLUH.

"We're going to have an edge in quickness," Dement said. "It's a new season for us. We realize we've had some tough losses -- we've had our heart jerked out with some of these tough losses -- but they continue to practice well. We have good leadership on this team."

As poor as the records of the teams in District 1 are, and regardless of the problems the participants have experienced, the Tigers and Griffins realize they could come out of the next three-week stretch smelling like a rose.

"Somebody's going to come out of here looking like a good football team," Gladstone said.