HIGH SCHOOL: TIGERS LOOK FOR RARE WIN AT SIKESTON

Both Cape Central and Sikeston have their own reasons to think they should win tonight.

Cape Central has more speed, but Sikeston has more size.

The Tigers have more momentum, but the Bulldogs have home-field advantage.

Sikeston has a former Cape Central coach on its side, but the Tigers have a former Bulldog coach on theirs.

Either way this game goes, the winner will be sitting pretty in the up-for-grabs Class 4A, District 1 after the two 3-4 teams do battle at 7:30 tonight at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.

"I expect this to be one heck of a ball game," said Cape Central coach Lawrence Brookins, whose team is looking for its first win at Sikeston since 1987.

Cape Central appears to have better players at the skill positions with the Tigers showing the ability to throw the ball effectively against both Jackson and Ritenour in the last two weeks. Since he took over at quarterback in the third game of the year, T.J. Erlacker has thrown for 552 yards. Zac Fidler has been nearly unstoppable at wide receiver the past two weeks, catching 13 passes for 211 yards. And Central would appear to have a better and quicker offensive backfield as well with fullback O.J. Turner and tailback Jamelle Austin.

"Both sides of the ball concern us," said Sikeston coach Charlie Vickery. "They have become much more diversified, throwing the ball 30 times against Jackson. They've got a lot more speed than we've got. Again, we don't match up well speed-wise, plus they've got pretty good size up front as well."

Despite the speed disparity, Sikeston could have the best front lines that Cape Central has seen this year and that's saying something.

"They're another big team, but it shouldn't be a major concern after seeing what we have the last six or seven weeks," Brookins said. "The size doesn't concern us, but this could be the best group we've seen. They're not just big; they're physical.

"I don't anticipate being able to grind it out between the tackles, so we'll look to attack other places first."

As for Sikeston, the Bulldogs are a team which has no breakaway threat. They rely on their line to pick up three or four yards at a time in attempt to use large chunks of the clock while moving the chains.

That may be tough to do, however, against a Tiger defense which has played well against the run this year.

As far as common opponents go, Sikeston played Poplar Bluff tougher than Central did, but the Tigers were more competitive with Jackson. Cape Central played New Madrid County much closer than Sikeston did as the Tigers lost 20-7 and the Bulldogs lost 45-6.

"I think their record is very deceiving," said Sikeston coach Charlie Vickery. "They've lost to some good teams and they've beaten some good teams. They've played a tough schedule."

Junior tailback Heath Hunger leads Sikeston with 830 rushing yards, while fullback Josh Bird has gained 333 yards.

For Central, Austin leads the way with 496 yards on 106 carries. Turner has rushed for 180 yards, but has scored a team-high seven touchdowns.

TONIGHT'S GAMES

(7:30 p.m. kickoffs)

Cape Central at Sikeston

Jackson at Vianney

Grandview at Scott City

Chaffee at St. Vincent

Farmington at Perryville

Fredericktown at Kennett

Crystal City at Charleston

Francis Howell at Poplar Bluff

Malden at East Prairie

Valle at Hayti

Portageville at Caruthersville

New Madrid at Dexter

Carterville at Anna-Jonesboro

Sesser-Valier at Cairo (7 p.m.)

Saturday's game

Farmington at Perryville, 2 p.m.