dwilson

What does it take to be No. 1? No, I haven't been listening to Nelly. I'm talking about the great American sport of football.

For starters: a defense. I've said it before and I'll say it again and again: Defense wins championships.

On the subject of defense, a key ingredient for any offense is protection. With big and experienced hog-mollies up front a team can do anything. Just ask Clinton Portis and Ken Dorsey. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a talented backfield, too.

If you add solid protection then you're halfway there on offense. Ball control. Moving the ball effectively on the ground is one thing, holding on to it is another. Good teams avoid turnovers. If a team constantly gives the ball away then it constantly asks its defense to get it back..

So, what have we learned today? Prevention, protection, possession. The three P's are David's keys to a championship team. Does your team have them? Mine do.

Florida State and Texas have what it takes to fiesta in Tempe, Ariz., this year. Cape Girardeau Central has struggled to find an offensive line, but the starters they have now are hard workers. If the Tigers play to their potential it could spell certain doom for the rest of the state. But you didn't hear it from me. And the Rams, well, they're the Rams.

Enough of this. Here's the real story:

Today

The Cards start a seven-day vacation from St. Louis. But this isn't just any old trip, this could be the season maker or breaker. First it's Milwaukee and then on to Houston for a four-game set. If the 'Stros sweep, they are right back in the division race. But if the Cards take at least one game the Central battle could be over.

Tuesday

Teams from all over the land will gather at Sikeston for the SEMO Conference volleyball tournament. Featured will be the usual suspects: Scott City, Chaffee, Central and Oran.

The Bulldogs and the Tigers. If it weren't for the Indians this might be their greatest rivalry. Central and Notre Dame have had battles in soccer. Both were champions in their districts last year. And of the two the Bulldogs return the most starters from that championship team. But the Tigers field one of their most talented teams in years. The Bulldogs look to avenge that loss they took on their home turf in their own tournament last year. 7 p.m. at Central, it's on.

Thursday

Notre Dame hosts the Tigers of Central in a classic softball rivalry game. Do you remember the last time they met? Step into the time machine where the date is set for 8/28/02. Lindsay Reinagel threw a no-hitter today and Megan McDonald struck out 12 Bulldogs in a 2-0 masterpiece. Now, the Tigers are beginning to pick it up on offense. But I don't know if anyone can win against Reinagel and the Bulldogs.

Sunday

University of Indiana was preseason No. 1 in men's soccer this year. The women's team hasn't been so fortunate. They tied for eighth in the Big 10 last year with a 9-7-2 record. So they should be easy pickings for Southeast today, right? That's what we said about Arkansas-Monticello. But that was football and this is football. Still, never underestimate a major program. IU went to the NCAA Tournament in '98 when the Hoosiers were 14-8-1.

The Greatest Show on Earth is back in town. The Rams open the Ed to the Giants. These two squared off last year in a slobber knocker and it should be a battle again this year.

David Wilson is a sports columnist for the Southeast Missourian.