JAM SESSION SHOWS TALENT

JACKSON, Mo. -- If Friday night was any indication, it could be an exciting year for Cape Central.

Central looked impressive on both sides of the ball Friday night in a jamboree against Jackson, Perryville and St. Vincent.

Central junior Monroe Hicks returned an interception for a touchdown against St. Vincent and ran for a 70-yard score against Jackson.

"I'd have to say the interception was sweeter," Hicks said. "I love defense."

On Central's first play from scrimmage against St. Vincent, junior fullback Jeremiah Dukes -- Hicks' cousin -- broke a run to the outside and scored from 70 yards out.

"I think we did pretty good as a whole," Dukes said.

"We had a couple mishaps but it was a great team effort."

Defensively, the Tigers dominated both St. Vincent and Perryville and played Jackson pretty even.

In addition to Hicks' interception, the biggest highlight for Central's defense was when defensive tackle Justin Wells chased down a Perryville receiver on a screen play and tackled him for a loss. Wells and 315-pounder Chris Smith made several big plays.

Central's quarterback situation remained up in the air as both sophomore Mitch Craft and junior Jay Ruark looked impressive -- and pretty equal.

Jackson

Jackson coach Carl Gross took a wait-and-see attitude on Friday night's jamboree.

The Indians were solid, but not spectacular. However, they didn't run many different plays.

"You never know how these things go until you look at tape," Gross said. "We got a lot of people snaps so we'll break down the film and see how we did tomorrow."

Running back Mario Whitney, headed to the University of Missouri next year, had a nice night, but for the most part he was contained. He didn't score any touchdowns but he had a handful of runs of 15 yards or more, including a 27-yarder against Central.

"We did all right, but we didn't even put it in the end zone," Whitney said. "Defensively, we looked awesome." Jackson's defense did look impressive for the most part. Linebacker Seth Harrell, in particular, came up with some big hits.

The Indians' only blemish was Hicks' touchdown run, a draw play that Hicks took up the middle then broke to the left sideline.

"Defensively, we played well except for one snap," Gross said.

Coming off a 1-9 season, the young Pirates came into the jamboree to get some inexperienced players a little taste of varsity football.

Perryville

The Pirates sophomore quarterback, Kyle Dobbelare forced to compete for the starting role after Perryville's starter quit after two-a-days showed some flashes, particularly on a 20-yard scramble against Cape Central.

Coach Lance Bell came away pleased.

"We came in here hoping to gain some respect and I think we did that," he said.

St. Vincent

The Indians, a state power at the Class 1A level in recent years, couldn't get much going against schools many times larger.

St. Vincent fared much better at the past two jamborees, but these Indians are a much younger group.

"We're not going to se the speed or size of Cape Central anywhere on our schedule," said St. Vincent coach Keith Winkler. "Going against that type of competition is only going to make us better."

The Indians might have suffered a big blow, however.

Starting defensive tackle and tight end Andrew Prost injured his knee and Winkler was obviously concerned.

His status was not known Friday night.