Central faces familiar roadblock

The past two seasons, the Central football team's district title hopes have been dashed by West Plains.

Central (3-5) again enters Week 9 with a 1-0 district mark and again with the Zizzers next on the schedule. The teams meet 7 p.m. tonight at Houck Stadium.

The Tigers defeated Poplar Bluff for the fifth straight season to set up the matchup of district unbeatens. Central had won four straight district titles before West Plains' current two-year run.

"For all the teams, when district play starts, you win that first game and you're in a chance to control your own destiny," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said. "You win that first game, you feel you're in somewhat control. You win that second game, then you feel you'll be in a position to wrap it up. Winning that first one was huge."

West Plains, the district question mark when it made the move to Class 4 District 1 two years ago, has had little problem dispatching its neighbors to the northeast over the past two seasons. In going 6-0 in district play the past two seasons, the Zizzers have won by no fewer than 14 points.

The Zizzers have never come into district play with an impressive record and the same holds true this season: They are 3-5. But West Plains plowed through Sikeston for 251 rushing yards in a 54-13 victory last week.

Brookins said teams can't simply concentrate on the run against the Zizzers.

"They do not hesitate to put it in the air," Brookins said. "They have a pretty balanced attack. The stuff they run is not exotic, it's not something we haven't seen. They just do a good job running it."

A concern for the Tigers entering tonight's game will be their run defense. Poplar Bluff ran for more than 200 yards against the Tigers, a common theme this season.

"We've given up still too many yards on the ground," Brookins said. "I'd like to take some of the running game away."

Central has received a strong presence against the run this season from senior lineman Trent Williams, one of Central's biggest linemen at 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds.

"When they run the ball to his side, they find it hard to do," Brookins said. "Trent's made a big difference on our defensive line."

On offense, the Tigers could be without starting running back Hykeem Hammonds again this week. Hammonds was listed as, "very questionable" by Brookins.

Senior quarterback Blake Slattery rushed for two touchdowns and picked off two Poplar Bluff passes on defense last week against the Mules. Slattery proved to be the Tigers' top runner, while juniors Joe Uhls and Derek Walker also shared the load in the backfield.

"I think offensively for us, Blake Slattery gives us some advantages," Brookins said. "He can be a threat running the ball or passing it. He's possibly a bigger threat running."

Slattery also leads the area in passing with 1,187 yards.

Rams look for upset

The battle for the Class 2 District 2 championship likely will come down to Friday's meeting between state-ranked Crystal City and host Scott City.

The Rams and Hornets each enjoyed lopsided wins against struggling programs last week. Crystal City (7-1) is ranked sixth in Class 2 and possesses one of the most potent offenses around. Scott City (5-3) has won four straight and has started to find its groove on offense.

"Second game of district, but whoever wins the game will be the district winner, we think," Scott City coach Terry Flannigan said. "We have to win this game, we told the kids, to control our destiny. If we can sneak out a win against a very good team, we could win this district."

Crystal City has a three offensive standouts in running backs Cody DeRousse, Danny James and Demetrius Terry. DeRousse has rushed for 1,115 yards and 14 scores. James has 840 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Terry has 667 yards and 10 touchdowns. All three backs average more than nine yards a carry.

"They're very, very good on the offensive side of the ball, just like they were last year," Flannigan said. "They're a very explosive football team. On any running play, they can get six points at the snap of a finger."

Last year, the Hornets routed Scott City 50-6. With the firepower Crystal City possesses, it is not hard to imagine another 50-point performance if the Rams don't show up on defense. Crystal City has scored more than 40 points on five occasions this season.

Scott City's defense has surrendered 26 or more points in its three losses. The Rams have allowed seven or less points in three of four games during their current winning streak.

"This year we have to get on our horses, make plays, wrap up and get the ball carriers to the ground," Flannigan said. "We have to play much better team defense, and make them drive 10 or 12 play drives instead of three or four play drives. We have to slow down their offense."

The Rams have some quality running backs as well. Junior Cody Carlyle leads the area in scoring with 12 touchdowns and reached 808 yards rushing with 205 yards last week. Chris Blankenship had 41 yards last week, bringing his total to 574 yards after missing the Week 7 game.

"Our running game's come on, and our defense has played better each week," Flannigan said. "Offensively we have to try to eat up some clock and keep Crystal City's offense off the field."