Graves Co. date not just another (Thurs)day for Tigers

The Central Tigers arrive at the mid-point of their regular season tonight.

At 3-1, Central finds Graves County (Ky.) wedged between a pair of emotional games -- last week's double-overtime loss to North County and next week's Cape Girardeau County rivalry game with Jackson.

With his team positioned between emotional peaks, Central coach Lawrence Brookins is not concerned about overlooking the Eagles.

"I just want to play -- I don't care the order. What bothers me the most is playing on stinking Thursday," said Brookins, whose team has four Thursday games on the schedule this year.

Brookins has yet to develop a taste for playing on the wrong night even though his Tigers dismantled Blytheville 38-0 on their only Thursday game so far.

The Tigers, who don't have a football field, are forced to play on Thursdays at Houck Stadium due to scheduling conflicts with Southeast Missouri State University's soccer and volleyball teams. Central has another Thursday gamein two weeks against Sumner and closes the regular season on a Thursday against Poplar Bluff.

The Tigers learned about coming into a game flat last week, falling behind North County 14-0 in the first half -- the first time they trailed all season -- before rallying to force overtime. Central went into the game ranked fifth in Class 4, but dropped out of the top 10 with the loss.

Brookins thinks his team, which fell to No. 2 behind North County in the SEMO Top 10, will show no effects from the loss.

"I think they were bouncing back before we got to the parking lot," Brookins said.

Based on the past, Central has no reason to overlook the Eagles since Graves County has won the last three meetings.

The Eagles (2-3) have stumbled on tough times since opening the season with a pair of wins. Jackson handed the Eagles their third straight loss last week, a 34-12 setback.

The Eagles feature a sophomore quarterback in Donnie Thacker (6-3, 210), who passed for 267 yards last week against Jackson. Thacker's top targets are Cole Duncan, Ryan Towery and Nathan Parchman. John Kyle Allred and Zack Clapp split the running duties.

"They'll be a lot like the same team we've seen the last two to three years," Brookins said. "They're not big up front, but they're good technicians."

The Tiger defense will be without leading tackler Jeremiah Dukes, who injured a knee against North County. Tests have not revealed ligament damage, but Dukes, a starter at middle linebacker and fullback, will not play and is doubtful for the Jackson game.

Besides leading the defense, Dukes has served as a lead blocker for running back Monroe Hicks. Hicks has three 100-yard rushing games and 539 yards rushing overall.

jbreer@semissourian.com

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