FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME: UNDER THE PLASTIC WRAP A FOOTBALL GAME AWAITS

The evidence is everywhere.

A stuffed tiger suspended from a rope, attached to a large ladder over Highway 61 in Jackson.

The "Tiger Time" sign which hangs on the Cape Central Board of Education building mysteriously, albeit temporarily, vanishing from its rightful spot.

The sculpted Indian in downtown Jackson suffocated in plastic wrap.

Egg yolk dripping from the cars and houses of certain Cape Central players and coaches a few weeks ago.

There's even a bet between the mayors of both towns that the loser has to wear the other team's sweatshirt at the next city council meeting.

It doesn't take a genius to know the Cape Central-Jackson contest is more than just a game.

Everybody knows it.

But hidden behind all the trash talking and traditions is a game a game where players still have to block and still have to tackle.

Most everyone I've talked to has told me that no matter how much of a mismatch the game appears to be on paper, that this game, because of the rivalry, always seems to be close.

But I'm not buying it this year, even though Central led Jackson 10-9 at halftime last year and played Jackson much tougher than I anticipated.

I think Jackson will win this one going away.

But that's bad news for Jackson, considering my picks on Central's games have been wrong the last four weeks.

If Cape Central is to stay in this game:

* The Tigers will need to force a few turnovers and will need to score a touchdown or two on defense or special teams. In their three losses, the Tigers have scored just two offensive touchdowns.

* Jackson seems to be a slow-starting team, so Cape Central's best shot at Jackson may be to go for a big play early. Central desperately needs to get off to a good start. If Jackson scores the first two touchdowns, it'll be as good as over.

* I think the Tigers must spread the ball around tonight, because Jackson is too quick and too big for Central's mediocre rushing attack. Running powers and dives off tackle on first and second downs all the time isn't going to work against the Indians, just like it didn't work against Graves County last week. I think Cape Central will have to throw when they would normally run and run when they would normally throw.

* A muddy field would definitely help Central's chances to help negate some of Jackson's speed. For Central, the sloppier, the better.

* The Tigers will have to gang tackle Mario Whitney, which they did very well last year. If Whitney goes one-on-one with a defender, he'll burn that defender 99 percent of the time. And when he does, it's six. Teams that have had some success against Whitney (Perryville and Sikeston) have -- pardon the expression -- circled the "Speedwagon." Those teams, however, were susceptible to Jackson's passing attack. But if it was up to me, I'd try to force Jackson to throw the ball. The Indians had trouble in that department last week.

For the Indians to dominate:

* Jackson will have to be mentally sharp, something it wasn't last week.

* Jackson might want to try to complete a couple passes to Ray Goodson early and force Central to respect the pass. If Cape Central's defense has a flaw, it's against the pass. But if Whitney has 30 yards on his first two carries, forget about it.

* The offensive line will have to run-block well. Whitney will take care of the rest.

* Jackson's defense will need to be as sharp as it was the first four games. If it is, a shutout is certainly possible.

Keeping it friendly

I know that many consider this Jackson-Cape game a "friendly" rivalry and to most fans it is. But to some of the players involved, this is serious. I'm all for seeing a hard-hitting, intense game, but I hope that no players go out with the intent to injure an opposing player. A pancake block is fine -- even if the guy isn't prepared for it -- but a shot to the knees isn't. Let's hope the guys keep it clean and play with good sportsmanship tonight.

I hope the fans stay out of trouble as well. And by the way, children attend these games. Watch your language.

Seats available

For those who are afraid they might not be able to find a seat at the game tonight, Jackson head coach Carl Gross said there should be plenty of room.

"I don't want people to think that there will be no place to sit," said Gross. "I don't want to look up Friday night and see any empty seats. As a player, you like that atmosphere -- that's what you dream about and your best memories come from the games you play in front of a large crowd."

Advanced tickets have been on sale throughout the week, but tickets can still be purchased at the gate.

Bob Miller is a sports writer with the Southeast Missourian