HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: D-TERMINED TIGERS OPEN 4A PLAYOFFS

The Cape Central Tigers aren't just making progress.

They're making history.

For the first time since 1942, the Tigers have shut out four straight opponents. Their 17-0 win over Farmington for the Class 4A, District 1 title on Friday also gave the Tigers their fifth shutout overall and that hasn't been done by a Central team since 1970.

The Tigers' defensive surge is coming at just the right time as Central (6-4) opens the state playoffs at Hillsboro (5-5) tonight. The kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

It has been quite a turnaround year for the Tigers, coming off a 1-9 season at the 5A level. Central, since losing 34-24 to Jackson on Oct. 6, has not allowed a point. That was 33 days ago.

During this current streak, the Tigers have outscored their opponents 90-0. Against five Missouri 4A opponents this year, Central has yet to allow a point.

"They've played great defense as far as I can tell," said Hillsboro coach Art Johanningmeier. "We know they're going to be a tough opponent and we know they're going to be stingy. We'll have to play a great game to win."

Central coach Lawrence Brookins credits defensive coordinator Bob Haggerty for a part of the reason the Tigers' defense has improved since last year.

Under the direction of Haggerty, the Tigers went from a 4-4 defense to a 4-3 defense this year.

"In a 4-3, you try to funnel everything to your best defensive player, which should be your middle linebacker," Brookins said. "In our case, it's O.J. Turner. If you have a bunch of linebackers who are about the same, a 4-4 might be better."

Turner leads the team with 131 tackles.

"That's a bunch of stinkin' tackles," Brookins said. "Even for a linebacker. But he'll be the first to tell you he wouldn't have those tackles without someone doing their job up front."

The 4-3 defense also requires less thinking.

"It's about as simple as you can get; for the boys up front especially," Brookins said. "It allows them to play more with their ears pinned back."

Farmington, ranked sixth in 4A last week, had very little success running the ball last week against the Tigers. In the fourth quarter, the Knights started throwing the ball and had success until they got into the Red Zone. Then, Central's secondary made some huge plays, including an interception by Ricky Ogles and an interception returned 99 yards for a touchdown by Monroe Hicks.

Despite the Knights' success throwing the ball between the 20s, Johanningmeier just like Farmington coach Mike Thebeau did last week will stick with the run even though Central has allowed just 3.2 yards per rush and 118 rushing yards per game.

"I think you go with what you feel comfortable with and what strengths you have," Johanningmeier said. "We're not going to change our offense in the 11th week of the season."

It has been a tale of two seasons for Hillsboro.

The Hawks started out the season 1-4 but won four of their last five games.

"We finally got the right combinations of kids in the right positions," Johanningmeier said. "We've played hard all season and we played some formidable opponents. We kept working and working and finally it paid off. A good work ethic brought the success around."

Central has fared better against two common opponents. The Hawks fell to Farmington 22-16 and lost to Jackson 42-0. Against Jackson, Hillsboro moved the ball but the Hawks couldn't take advantage of at least three possessions that wound up inside the Indians' 20. In fact, Hillsboro outgained Jackson in the first half of that game, but trailed 21-0.

"We can't turn the football over and we'll need to take advantage of our opportunities and make the plays when we have to make them," Johanningmeier said.

Hillsboro's offense features a by-committee approach from its running backs. The Hawks' top ball carrier is Rees Remington, who has rushed for 944 yards on 161 carries. Phillip Shearin has 836 yards on 128 carries.

"They're a little bit different than Farmington offensively, but not much," Brookins said. "Their backs run hard and their line has good size."