Bulldogs QB proves to be too elusive

The biggest question mark facing the 2010 Sikeston football team following last year's sensational season was who would play quarterback.

Trey Lewis has provided an emphatic answer -- and Central had no answer for Lewis on Thursday night.

Lewis, along with Sikeston's suffocating defense, helped turn the much-hyped Southeast Missouri game of the year into a mismatch.

Sikeston, dominating from start to finish, rolled past host Central 21-0 in front of an overflow Houck Stadium crowd estimated at more than 11,000.

The Bulldogs, who improved to 9-0, clinched a playoff berth and took control of the Class 4 District 1 race at 2-0. Central fell to 8-1 and 1-1.

"I wouldn't really say I was surprised, but at the same time I am," Lewis said of the lopsided result. "They're a good team, but we had our best practice week of the year."

Last season's Sikeston squad that went 13-1 and lost in the Class 4 semifinals was directed by all-state senior quarterback Juqualin Wiggins.

"Last February we said, 'Who's going to be our quarterback?'" Sikeston coach Kent Gibbs said. "We came up with Trey. He's a heck of an athlete. He's a competitor."

So Lewis, who played running back and cornerback for the 2009 Bulldogs, moved behind center. It's been smooth sailing ever since.

Lewis entered Thursday's contest having completed 51 of 84 passes for 994 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception.

But what makes Lewis especially dangerous is his running ability. The speedy, shifty Lewis had rushed for 754 yards and 14 touchdowns in the first eight games.

Lewis, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior, burned Central on the ground and through the air. He rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries while completing 5 of 12 passes for 105 yards, although he was intercepted twice.

"He's been a great leader for us. He's worked hard to get where he is," Gibbs said. "He can turn nothing into something."

Lewis helped Sikeston's offense set an early tone when he led a lightning-fast 77-yard, three-play scoring drive after the Bulldogs received the opening kickoff.

On first down, Lewis and senior running back Darryl Howard -- who went over 1,000 yards rushing -- hooked up for a 40-yard completion.

Lewis then ripped off a 34-yard run, followed by Howard's 3-yard touchdown for a 7-0 lead just 39 seconds into the game.

Although the Bulldogs dominated the first half, they missed golden opportunities on their next two possessions and still only led 7-0.

Then Lewis took over. His 19-yard touchdown run on a quarterback draw with 3 minutes, 36 seconds left before halftime made it 13-0.

A short time later, Lewis dropped back to pass, found nobody open and took off. His 17-yard touchdown with 26 seconds left, followed by his 2-point conversion pass, sent Sikeston to the break with a 21-0 lead.

"I dropped back, didn't see anything open and decided to run," Lewis said.

Lewis, who won the long jump while finishing second in the triple jump at last year's Class 4 state track meet, said he embraced the move to quarterback.

"I was excited," he said. "I had to do it for the team."

While Sikeston is focused on another deep playoff run, Lewis also might have some football in his future beyond high school.

Lewis said Southeast Missouri State and Murray State are among schools recruiting him. He said he is interested in Southeast, although he's not sure if he will play quarterback in college.

"We really haven't talked about what position," he said. "They're [Southeast] definitely an option. It's a good school, close to home."