Central, Webb City football teams to meet for state crown

It's been more than a year since the Central football team experienced a rude awakening in the Class 4 semifinals.

The Tigers traveled west on Highway 60 for five and a half hours until they reached Webb City, where the Cardinals cruised to a 46-0 win and brought an end to Central's season.

The teams will meet again at 11 a.m. Saturday in Show-Me Bowl's Class 4 title game at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, and Central coach Nathan Norman said his team hasn't forgotten about what happened last year.

"We've tried to use it as motivation," Norman said. "... First of all, I don't know that our kids played that well last year. Hats off to Webb City. Obviously they're a great team, but I think some of it was our kids were a little shell-shocked and wide-eyed a little bit. They had a little bit of a deer-in-the-headlights look. We're just trying to get our kids to understand that, 'Hey, they're high school kids, too. They put their pants on one leg at a time, just like we do. You don't ever sell yourself short. Don't underestimate your abilities, just got to go out and play our style of football.'"

The game pits a pair of programs with entirely different backgrounds. Webb City (14-0), which has won 27 consecutive games, will be seeking its 13th state title and fifth straight, while Central (12-2) will be making its first state championship appearance.

Central s Kway chon Chism smiles after their win over St. Charles West in the Class 4 semifinal Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 in St. Charles, Missouri. (Glenn Landberg)

"We know we're not going to play any more games. This is it, so there's no reason to hold anything back," Webb City coach John Roderique said on the Weekly Cardinal Football Podcast. "You've got to spend as much time as you can preparing. It's a good week because we only have two days of school, and then we can get some more free time with ourselves. ... Hopefully we'll be ready to play our best football game at 11 o'clock Saturday morning."

Perhaps the most intriguing matchup will be Webb City senior wide receiver Kiante Hardin vs. Central junior wide receiver Al Young.

Hardin has 835 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns this season, while Young has amassed 1,423 scrimmage yards and 25 touchdowns. Hardin is averaging 15.8 yards per touch, and Young is averaging 12.2 yards per touch.

"They've got Al Young and some great receivers. Al Young, I recall watching him last year and how outstanding he was as just maybe a sophomore," Roderique said. "... Obviously they're going to see a lot of each other. I'm sure we're going to match up Kiante on Al, and I'm sure he'll be pretty close to Kiante when he's out there playing receiver."

Each team also features a dual threat at the helm. Central is led by senior quarterback Peyton Montgomery, who is 52 of 87 passing for 1,058 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions this season and has also contributed 832 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, averaging 8.1 yards per carry.

Roderique's son, Tyson, leads the Cardinals on offense. The junior signal caller is 62 of 99 passing for 1,048 yards, 16 scores and two interceptions this year. On the ground, he has 725 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per carry.

"Their quarterback is a very good passer," coach Roderique said about Montgomery. "He's a scrambler. He can do things with his legs that maybe you don't see all the time. I don't think the quarterback they had last year was one that wanted to get out and run a lot, but this one will take off and run. He's made a huge difference and a huge impact on their football team."

Webb City runs a split-back veer offense, which has allowed them to rush for 4,399 yards on the year. Their leading rusher, senior Tyler Davison, has 1,139 yards and 15 touchdowns. Junior Keeton Burroughs has also contributed 856 rushing yards and 16 scores.

"They run a balanced offensive attack, and they've got a very physical offensive line," Norman said. "... There are three guys that can get it at any time."

Senior running back Braion Owens leads Central's rushing attack. Owens has 212 carries for 1,627 yards and 21 touchdowns this season, averaging 116.2 yards per contest.

"If you watch them on offense, they're big up front, and they can run the ball extremely well," Roderique said. "... One thing, hopefully this may work to our advantage, they play a lot of guys on both sides of the ball and in the kicking game. Hopefully our depth might be to our advantage, especially in The Dome and the conditions that we'll face there Saturday."

The Tigers' defense is led by senior defensive back Jalen Reddin, who has 99 tackles and four interceptions this season. Senior linebacker Jordan Franklin (84 tackles, two sacks) and senior defensive end Deandre Banks (68 tackles, four sacks) are also key contributors on Central's defense.

"The thing that's different about them now is they're not near as big, but boy, they're quick," coach Roderique said. "They get off the ball fast. They run and chase the football extremely well defensively, and they're very, very physical. They've got a lot of talent on the field."

Junior linebacker Koleson Crane leads the Cardinals' defense with 36 tackles, four interceptions and two sacks.

Norman said slowing down Webb City's high-powered rushing attack will be the key to his team's success.

"When you face a team like Webb City or any team that can run and throw the ball, you've just got to play your assignment football, and that's why I reflect back to getting better at Cape Central football," Norman said. "You've got to read your keys on defense, play assignment football and do it with great technique, and that's why they're good. Webb City's good because they play their positions, all 11 of them on every play, and that's what we've got to do."