HIGH SCHOOL: TIGERS COLLAR BULLDOGS

SIKESTON -- Offense, defense and special teams.

When it comes to outplaying Sikeston, Cape Central pulled off the hat trick Friday night in a dominating 23-0 victory at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.

Cape Central's offense was too unpredictable. Its defense was unforgiving and its special teams were, well, special.

"I'm surprised somewhat by the shutout," said Cape Central coach Lawrence Brookins. "I thought we would have to score at least 20 points because I thought a close game would be in their favor with their big linemen wearing us down. But our defense played real good." Central, though smaller at the line of scrimmage, more than held its own in the trenches as the Tigers outgained Sikeston 239 yards to 156.

"We worked real hard in practice this week," said O.J. Turner, Cape Central's hard-hitting linebacker and fullback. "The linemen stopped their blockers and kept them off the linebackers. They did it all night consistently."

The Tigers probably would've had more offensive yards, but they often found themselves with a short field as the special teams often set them up in good field position. Central had two long punt returns and Brian Emmendorfer kicked a 48-yard field goal.

The win snapped a losing streak at Sikeston which dated back to 1986.

"It feels great," said Cape Central defensive lineman Chris Smith, who was responsible for some big plays and was one of the reasons why Sikeston's size up front didn't prove to be much of an advantage. "We came out with the effort to win and we did it."

After Emmendorfer missed a 44-yard field goal in their first possession and fumbling in their second, the Tigers looked like they were going to fall behind early when Sikeston drove down to Central's 8-yard line.

But Central recovered a fumble at the 3-yard line and then assembled a 17-play, 97-yard drive to go up 7-0.

The Tigers capped off the drive when quarterback T.J. Erlacker lofted a perfect pass over the left shoulder of Zac Fidler near the left sideline for the second-quarter score.

Erlacker didn't have as big of a game as he had the last two weeks, but he made very few mistakes in completing 8-of-14 passes for 106 yards and no interceptions. Fidler had four catches for 84 yards.

In the third quarter, Central went ahead 14-0 after Jamelle Austin, on fourth-and-goal from the 1, muscled his way into the end zone. Austin's run was set up by a 45-yard pass from Erlacker to Fidler.

The Tigers virtually put the game away on their next possession when Turner ran in from 1 yard out. A missed extra point attempt left the score at 20-0.

Emmendofer, who nailed a 58-yard field goal last year, booted a season-long, 48-yard field goal with 7:52 to go in the fourth to end the scoring.

Sophomore Monroe Hicks had a huge night for Central.

Hicks had punt returns of 40, 16 and 39 yards and he intercepted a pass for the third straight game.

"My players gave me some key blocks," said Hicks. "I just did what I was supposed to do, but I give all the credit to the players."