A preview of Central's football game vs. Sikeston

Sikeston (4-0) at Central (0-4)

Last week: Sikeston 27, Jackson 0; Farmington 44, Central 28

Last season: Sikeston 47, Central 18

Outlook: Sikeston has posted shutout victories in its last three games and is off to its best start in 18 seasons. The Bulldogs won their first six games in 1991. Central is 0-4 for the second consecutive year. The Tigers have led their last two opponents -- Obion County (Tenn.) and Farmington -- at halftime, but have been plagued by second-half turnovers. Senior running back Brandon Pickens provided an offensive boost for the Tigers last week with 160 yards rushing on 14 carries. Pickens had missed Central's first three games. The Tigers possess additional speed at running back in sophomore Tae Jenkins and junior James Poindexter, who rushed for 192 yards against New Madrid County Central in the second game of the season. Poindexter leads the Tigers with 259 yards rushing, but he carried just one time for five yards against Farmington. Central quarterback Andrew Williams has completed 50 of 82 attempts for 578 yards. His favorite target is 6-foot-5 Zach Boerboom, who has 18 receptions for 225 yards. The Bulldogs have been running over opponents this season, but last week combined more than 200 yards of rushing with 213 yards of passing in a 27-0 win against Jackson. Running back Eli Jackson has topped 100 yards rushing in all four games and has 511 yards on the season on just 49 carries (10.4 yards per carry). Quarterback Juqualin Wiggins averages 9.9 yards per carry and has run for 298 yards. Jarian Wims has averaged 9.5 yards a carry for 276 yards and a team-high seven TDs. Wiggins connected on 12 of 20 passes with two TDs against Jackson with Jordan Williams pulling in five passes for 109 yards, including a 68-yard TD strike. Sikeston's two first-half touchdowns against Jackson came on passes.

-- Jeff Breer