HIGH SCHOOL: TIGERS TAKE AIM AT 4A SEMIFINALS

For the second time in three weeks, the Cape Central Tigers will be taking on the sixth-ranked football team in Class 4A.

First it was Farmington, now it's Washington.

If history repeats itself, the unranked, out-of-nowhere Tigers will wind up in the state's Final Four and extend their Cinderella story another chapter.

Central (7-4) will face a balanced Bluejays (10-1) team tonight in a 4A state quarterfinal game in Washington. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Unlike the last four 4A teams the Tigers have faced, Washington is adept at -- and prefers -- throwing the ball.

That poses a challenge that Central really hasn't faced since close losses to Poplar Bluff and Graves County, Ky. Not that Central can't defend the pass -- the Tigers have intercepted 12 passes this year and returned four for touchdowns -- but the Tigers' run defense has been the team's most notable strength.

Central coach Lawrence Brookins didn't seem too worried.

"You look at those games and neither of those teams scored a lot of points," said Brookins of the 20-7 loss to Poplar Bluff and 12-7 loss to Graves County. "In both of those games there was a play or two here or there that if we make some plays defensively, the outcome would've been different."

Washington, which beat then-fifth-ranked Eureka last Monday night 39-27, features a balanced attack.

Adam Brune, a 6-foot-2 quarterback, has completed 66 of 123 passes this year for 1,256 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions for Washington. The Bluejays' sophomore running back, Jamie Dowler, has 1,407 yards on 154 carries.

Some of Washington's statistics may be skewed a bit, though. After losing 30-29 to Wentzville in their season opener, the Bluejays rolled through the relatively weak Four Rivers Conference and won each game by at least 30 points.

"We really do a decent job of mixing it up," said Washington coach Joel Wells. "We haven't thrown as much as normal because we've had such big leads. We like to have at least 15-20 attempts per game."

Though Central will likely have the advantage in terms of overall speed, Dowler will likely be the fastest player on the field. Dowler, who is only playing because Washington's top running back and best football player got hurt in the first game of the year, runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

"We'll see the best backs that we've seen since the Jackson game," Brookins said. "Their back is real quick and can motor. If he hits the seam, watch out.

"But I don't know if there's a lot they can show us that we haven't seen. We've seen speed with Mario Whitney, we've seen big guys and fast guys. We've seen the passing attacks and learned some valuable lessons the hard way. It should be a good matchup. If neither team folds under the pressure of the playoffs, it'll be a good game. We just have to keep doing what we've been doing."

Like Washington, Central poses a balanced mix. The Tigers have rushed for 1,588 yards and passed for 1,298. Quarterback T.J. Erlacker had a career game last week, throwing for 336 yards, while completing 21 of 28 passes with no interceptions.

The two teams have one common opponent. The Tigers downed Hillsboro 33-17 last week and Washington defeated the Hawks 33-6 in the second game of the season.

On paper, Washington appears to have an advantage on offense the Bluejays have yet to score less than 29 points in a game. Central, though, looks to have the advantage on defense as the Tigers have posted five shutouts. And with two of the state's best kickers in Central's Brian Emmendorfer and Washington's Mark Kamphoefner, the special teams appear to be even. Both Emmendorfer and Kamphoefner have kicked field goals of at least 50 yards this season.

"It ought to be a battle," said Wells. "It will be won up front. We've got a good offensive and defensive line and so do they so it'll be interesting.

"When it comes down to this time of the year, it comes down to turnovers, penalties and special teams. If we can win the kicking game and not turn the ball over, we can win."

* Zac Fidler, J.P. Limbaugh, O.J. Turner, Jamelle Austin and Justin Welker -- all key components of Central's team -- have either been out or have played at less than 100 percent at one point or another this season. Though Welker and Austin may not be back to 100 percent with weak ankles, Central will finally have all its best players on the field.

"It's a blessing," Brookins said. "And I hope it stays that way."

* Tickets for tonight's game will be available today in the Central athletic director's office. Cost for tickets is $5. Central fans making the trip are recommended to park on the southwest side of the football field.