CAPE CENTRAL TESTS SLUMPING OFFENSE VS. SUSPECT SIKESTON 'D'

If Cape Central is to break out of its offensive slump -- and ultimately its five-game skid so far this season -- tonight's game against Sikeston would be as good a time as any.

Sikeston will visit Houck Stadium tonight at 7, a half-hour earlier start than most games.

Sikeston comes into tonight's game with a 3-2 record, though its schedule is not the toughest in the world.

And neither is its defense, which should have Central's offense -- which has scored just four touchdowns in five games -- hopeful.

"Our main focus this week has been trying to get our first win and our first conference win," Cape Central coach Lawrence Brookins said. "If we can continue to improve, we think we can get some conference wins."

Sikeston has not held an opponent to less than 21 points season. Even Charleston, in a down year, put up 26 points against the Bulldogs. And Dexter, not exactly a premier team in Southeast Missouri, scored 32.

So how do the Bulldogs still have a winning record?

Justin Robinson is the answer.

Robinson is easily the top running back in the region this year, at least in terms of yardage. At the halfway point in the season, Robinson is just six yards shy of 1,000.

"They obviously have a good ball player in No. 44," Brookins said. "We can't let him get off to a stellar night like he has in the past. That's obviously a concern, one of many things on our agenda. But we have to at least slow him down.

"I rank him easily with (New Madrid standout) Ricky Smith (who rushed for 142 yards on 25 carries against Central in Week 2). He may even be stronger than Ricky Smith."

Robinson is basically a one-man show for Sikeston as the Bulldogs' passing game is almost nonexistent.

Still, the Tigers can't ignore the passing threat, no matter how weak it is.

"If you load all your guns to stop one player, you'll let some other guy who is not that great of a player to have the night of his life. We don't want the fullback or a tight end to have something they can tell their grand kids about."

Long-time Sikeston coach Charlie Vickery wants to spread the wealth just enough to keep Central off balance.

"We've got to try to control the ball," Vickery said. "Last week (a 28-21 win over Alton, Ill.), I think we diversified a little more. (Fullback) Josh (Bird) had 10 carries and I think we need to keep mixing it up a little bit by giving him some carries. We're not going to drop back and throw a lot, but we're going to throw a little more to try to keep them to where they can't zero in on Justin constantly."

As far as Central's offense, it posted the best numbers of the season in last week's 17-7 loss to Graves County.

But, the young and inexperienced Tigers have troubles crossing the goal line.

Central has yet to score more than 17 points in a game and has averaged about nine points per game this season.

Central's defense, meanwhile, has played well enough to win, giving up 17 points in each of its last two games.

"I think they play very good defense," Vickery said. "I don't think they're an 0-5 ballclub. They've played some very good football teams and I think you can discount their record. I think they're playing better each week and defensively I think they've played pretty well all year long."

Sikeston beat Cape Central 47-17 last year, but both squads lost several talented players to graduation.

Jerry Dement, who was Central's coach last year, is now an assistant at Sikeston.

When: Today, 7 p.m.

Where: Houck Stadium

Records: Cape Central 0-5, Sikeston 3-2

1998 Records: Cape Central 4-6, Sikeston 7-3

Last meeting: Sikeston won 47-17 in 1998

Radio: KAPE 1550, KRHW 1520, KZIM 960