KEWPIES STEAMROLL TIGERS IN OPENER

COLUMBIA -- Playing without injured 1,000-yard option quarterback Danny Perry last night, the Hickman Kewpies kept things simple in their season opener against Cape Central.

It wasn't simple enough for the Cape Central Tigers.

With backup quarterback Jamey Jamey simply handing off to the fullback most of the night, the Kewpies rolled up 425 yards rushing in a 41-7 romp at Hickman Field.

"They completely outphysicalled us, if there is such a word," said Cape Central coach Lawrence Brookins.

If that's not the word to describe Hickman's dominance, Kewpies coach Gregg Nesbitt took a try.

"Our offensive line mauled them," Nesbitt said. "They never took the fullback out of the veer. My hats off to those interior linemen and the fullbacks did a good job of running."

Splitting time between halfback and fullback in the Hickman's wishbone offense, Jake Whitesides totaled 130 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries. Starting fullback Ryan Coday added 125 yards on 17 carries.

"You can't have success against Hickman or anybody else that runs the 'bone or option-type of veer without stopping the fullback," Brookins said. "That's the No. 1 universal rule in stopping that type of offense and we just didn't get it done."

Coday carried the ball nine times for 60 yards on the Kewpies' opening 13-play, 70-yard scoring drive. Whitesides ran it in from four yards out to put Hickman ahead with 4:16 left and added 21-yard scoring scamper with 28 seconds remaining in the quarter to make the score 14-0.

While Central struggled offensively, Whitesides continued his scoring spree with a 47-yard scamper in the second quarter to make the score 20-0.

With 1:44 left in the half, Jouret scored on an 8-yard run to put Hickman ahead 27-0.

Central's only highlight of the half was a 42-yard kickoff return by Donnie McClinton. Hickman reserve fullback Josh Ransdell got into the fun in the third quarter, scoring on a 22-yard run to push the score to 34-0. The sophomore, Ransdell, rushed nine times for 65 yards.

Central finally got on the board in the fourth quarter when Hickman third-string quarterback Kellen Nesbitt fumbled and Casey Mueller took the loose ball 92 yards for a touchdown. Brian Emmendorfer added the extra point, but Nesbitt provided the final score with 1:52 left on a 1-yard keeper.

McClinton led the Tigers with 42 yards on 12 rushing attempts. Quarterback Jeff Dunaway was 5 of 14 for 45 yards and two interceptions.

Friday's Scores

Hickman 41, Cape Central 7

Jackson 35, Sikeston 0

Malden 30, Scott City 0

Chaffee 33, Grandview 14

Farmington 38, Perryville 19

St. Vincent 27, Carlyle, Ill. 14

Fredericktown 14, Park Hills 12

Kennett 36, Charleston 6

Poplar Bluff 36, Dexter 7

New Madrid 34, Mt. Vernon, Ill. 21

Hayti 36, East Prairie 6

Gosnell, Ark. 21, Portageville 19

Green Co., Ark. 35, Caruthersville 18

Anna-Jonesboro 17, Herrin 7

Cairo 32, Elverado 0