HIGH SCHOOL: TIGERS WARRY OF STRUGGLING 1-7 PIRATES

Cape Central coach Lawrence Brookins knows exactly how Perryville feels.

And that's what scares him the most.

The Pirates (1-7) are in the same position that Cape Central (4-4) was at this time last year and will be looking to pull off an upset of the Tigers in the second week of Class 4A, District 1 action tonight.

The kickoff at Houck Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

"I know how they feel because I've been there before," Brookins said, referring to his team that went 1-9 last year. "As the season winds down and you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, you just relax and play with more reckless abandon."

Brookins said the Central coaching staff has warned the Tigers all week not to overlook Perryville because of its record.

"They have enough talent and ability to beat us if we're not ready," Brookins said. "I expect a good game from Perryville."

The Pirates, whose lone win was a 17-14 victory over Windsor, has fallen victim to a tough schedule, lack of size and injuries.

Perryville has played much of the season with a freshman running back and a sophomore quarterback.

The freshman running back, Jesse Whistler, is one to watch out for the next few years.

"We moved him up the fifth game of the season," said Perryville coach Lance Bell. "We've been playing him sparingly to get him acclimated to varsity football. He's 6-foot-2, 180 pounds and ran an 11.3 100 as an eighth grader. He's got some nice cutback moves and he's going to be a force in a couple of years."

Whistler will be coupled with Mike Schmidt, another tough running back.

But Bell knows it will be a tough task to run the ball against the Tigers.

"They're very well coached and have got good speed and really get after the ball on defense," said Bell. "Chris Smith is a horse inside. He may be big (6-0, 300 pounds) but he can move. He splits double teams like it's nobody's business.

"And their linebacker crew is very good. O.J. Turner is fast and aggressive. I told my team that if you plan on taking him on one-on-one you better bring your lunch."

Turner, a middle linebacker drawing attention from some Division I schools, is causing havoc on the defensive side of the ball. He's a huge component on a Central defense that has posted back-to-back shutouts, including the Tigers' 23-0 win over Sikeston last week.

"The system we're using is a little different this year," Brookins said, "and it puts more emphasis on the middle linebacker. We're blessed to have O.J. Turner. Our defense is designed to kind of funnel everything in his direction and O.J.'s doing a great job."

Central's secondary, which includes sophomore Monroe Hicks, has been stellar of late. Hicks has had interceptions in three straight games.

"You can try to pass, but they get a good rush," Bell said. "They dare you to pass and they've got speed back there. First downs will be hard to come by. We'll do the best we can and hope to make some things happen."

Bell is hoping that the Pirates simply play smart football.

"If we get beat physically, I can handle it," said Bell. "But I can't handle the mental mistakes. We need to cut those down and play the best ball we can play. If we do that, I'll be happy."