Tigers shake Warriors late 21-7

ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- Senior Marcus Klund made his presence felt in his Cape Central debut Friday night, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Tigers opened the 2001 campaign with 21-7 victory over St. Charles West.

Klund, who rushed for 1,421 yards as a junior at Scott City last year, broke a 7-7 tie with 9:12 left in the game, hauling in a 24-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Mitch Craft. Chris Jones added the extra point for a 14-7 lead.

Less than three minutes later, Klund broke loose for a 15-yard touchdown run. Jones again tacked on the PAT for a commanding 21-7 lead.

Cape Central (1-0) had trouble shaking the Warriors, a team they defeated last year 35-0 in a 7-5 season that ended in the Class 4A quarterfinals. The teams, committing three turnovers apiece, had been deadlocked 7-7 since halftime.

Cape Central used an interception from Monroe Hicks, one of two by the junior safety, to spark its first touchdown of the season. One play after a Tiger turnover deep in their own end, Hicks intercepted a pass at the Central 5 and returned it to the 46.

A 54-yard drive ensued, capped by a 3-yard bootleg run by Craft at the 7:59 mark of the second quarter.

Jones added the PAT for a 7-0 lead.

St. Charles West (0-1) tied the game 7-7 with nine seconds left in the half as Shawn Manning scored on a 2-yard quarterback sneak.

Craft completed 8 of 11 passes for 128 yards with one interception. He also carried eight times for 49 yards.

Cape Central returns to action next Friday when New Madrid County Central visits Houck Stadium.