Central puts it all on the line against Raiders

This season Central's offensive line has had to deal with injuries, people playing new positions and even newcomers to the game, but through it all the line has become one of the most solid units on the field.

With only Sean Bard and Darren Neels back as starters from last year's line after Patrick Slattery opened the season with an injury, the Tigers started the season with question marks up front.

To fill in the holes, the Tigers converted tight end Kyle Schuessler to center and have had first-year player Mark Egbuka step up to fill a spot.

Egbuka, a six-foot senior, had not even donned the pads for an organized football game before this season.

"He's played himself into a potential college recruit very quickly," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said. "He's totally raw, but he's a very bright kid both academically and common sense-wise."

T. J. Bishop filled out the line with Slattery missing, but Bishop suffered a hand injury before the onset of district play and Drew Lincoln started the final three games. Bishop came back for the Poplar Bluff game and will likely share time with Lincoln tonight when Central (8-2), the seventh ranked team in Class 4, faces North County (9-1), ranked No. 3 in Class 4, in a sectional game at Houck Stadium.

"I think that those who have played on the line have done a good job all year and just lately have taken it to a new level," Brookins said.

Coming on strong

While the line's play has been consistent throughout, Central's offense struggled at times midway through the season. The offense has picked up the pace of late, scoring at least five touchdowns in all three of district wins.

Brookins said it was just a matter of time before the new backs and receivers began to find a groove.

"The last three weeks we've put it all together," he said.

The running game has produced more than 200 yards each of the past three weeks. In the Tigers' victory over undefeated Poplar Bluff, ranked No. 6 in Class 4 at the time, Central dominated the battle up front. Central running back Brandon Twiggs ran wild against the Mules, racking up 210 yards on 45 carries.

"That was a breakout game for Twiggs," Brookins said.

Central's new-found running game is welcomed by the linemen.

"We love to hear a running play called in the huddle," Neels said.

The Tigers will try to keep their ground attack going against the Raiders. When the two teams met in Week Four this season, Twiggs ran for 95 yards on 22 carries.

Egbuka said with the way the line is playing, he expects the offense to be even better this time.

"You can see a lot of improvement in the way we all play," he said. "Practice does make you a lot better."

North County has not lost a game since its loss to Central, and the Raiders have scored 38 or more points in five of their last six games.

"I don't think we got North County's 'A' game in Week Four, but I don't think they got our 'A' game either," Brookins said.

This will be the second sectional meeting between the teams in three years. Central edged North County in a wild 53-52 double-overtime game two years ago at Houck.

"It should be a great game," Brookins said. "Most of our games with them have been great games."

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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