TIGERS TO VISIT SIKESTON TONIGHT

Cape Central has been good at times this season. Not so good at others.

Ditto for Central's opponent in tonight's SEMO North Division contest, the Sikeston Bulldogs.

The difference is, the Tigers are 2-3, with near-victories against Columbia Hickman, Blytheville, Ark., and Belleville Althoff, Ill.

Sikeston is 4-1, with a win over Jackson and a loss to Poplar Bluff providing the high- and low-lights.

Nevertheless, Sikeston is also in search of a seamless game when the teams meet at 7:30 tonight at Sikeston.

"I think both teams are striving to come out and put together four good quarters of football," Sikeston coach Charlie Vickery said. "At times, we've played pretty well. But not for a whole game."

The Bulldogs match up well with the athletic Tigers, but lack the depth of their opponent.

They prefer to run, with speedy Justin Robinson and bruising John Brown in the backfield.

Quarterback Doug Wiles is primarily a running threat but has a good receiver, 6-foot-3, 200-pound Brandon Barnes, to throw the ball to.

Central has failed to stop the run consistently, with the most notable breakdowns occurring in the second halves of the Blytheville and Althoff games.

"We just have to play tougher defense," Central coach Jerry Dement said. "Mainly, we've got to tackle better and play tougher up front. We definitely didn't react well to what Althoff did to us in the second half last week."

Althoff running back Clyde Howard ran for 165 yards. Most of the yardage came in the second half.

Sophomore Casey Dwyre takes over the starting role at outside linebacker this week.

"We've been kind of feast or famine at that outside position," Dement said. "So we want to solidify that."

Sikeston's secondary has not been severely tested this season, and Central is as capable as any team of providing it.

Last week, the Tigers passing game experienced perhaps its first poor performance of the season against an Althoff defense which gave Central multiple looks.

"In a situation like (Central's passing game), you've got to try to put pressure on the quarterback," Vickery said. "They just have so many weapons. If you just pay attention to the pass, they have some good running backs who can get you.

"For us to be successful, we've got to keep the ball away from them."

The game can be a great springboard for the winner. Sikeston would be 5-1 one game before districts. Central would be 3-3 despite playing a tough schedule.