Tigers ride momentum to Perryville

After playing their best game of the year, the Cape Central Tigers can't wait to play again.

Central, coming off an impressive 32-9 victory over favored Sikeston, is beaming with confidence heading into Week 2 of Class 4A, District 1 play.

And that's not good news for the Perryville Pirates.

Defending district champ Cape Central (4-4), a winner of two straight, will travel to Perryville (2-6) tonight.

"It's just funny how psychology works," Cape Central coach Lawrence Brookins said. "Winning is a great elixir. It makes everybody feel better. The little problems that some may have had before, nobody talks about this week."

While Central is coming off its best game of the season, the Pirates fell 35-0 to Farmington last week.

"Farmington did exactly what I thought they'd do and they were successful," Bell said. "We didn't give up a lot of big plays, but we couldn't stop them on third-and-short or fourth-and-short. I thought for it being 35-0, our defense played pretty well. They were out there the whole game."

Perryville the underdog

Like it has been most of the season, Perryille appears to be out-manned in this contest. At least on paper, Central has more size and more speed.

But the Pirates have a few playmakers who can pose problems, namely running back Jesse Whistler and receiver Kyle Dobbelare.

"We're going to try to get some option going at them and maybe get some quick passes going," Perryville coach Lance Bell said. "We want to get the ball to our best players and let the kids do some athletic things."

Speaking of athletic things, Bell is concerned about Central's running backs Monroe Hicks and Marcus Klund who both ran for more than 100 yards last week.

Klund is a make-you-miss runner, while Hicks has more breakaway speed but fewer moves. Both are excellent receivers.

"Hicks' speed really worries me," Bell said. "They can put him out on a route and let him go out and that will be tough on our linebackers."

While Hicks, Klund and Andrew Eaton -- who returned a fumble recovery about 70 yards -- got most of the attention after Central's win last week, Brookins thought defensive end/offensive guard Adrian Wren might of had the best week of them all.

Wren had four tackles -- 2 1/2 for sacks -- and two quarterback pressures, while also blocking well on offense.

"Adrian was all over the field," Brookins said. "Even when he wasn't making the tackle, he was chasing things down. And when the play wasn't going to his side on offense, he was blocking down field."

Wren has 6 1/2 sacks this season.