PASSING IT ALONG: LATEST MCGINTY EQUIPPED WITH GO-TO RECEIVER

Back in 1974, a split end named Frank McGinty was an intricate part of Cape Central's passing game.

McGinty, along with flanker David Gross, brother of Jackson football coach Carl Gross, were primary targets of quarterback Eric Lee in the Tigers' passing game.

"I probably caught between 10 and 20 passes," recalled McGinty, who is now a doctor in Cape Girardeau. "We only threw maybe 10 percent of the time."

Nowadays, the Cape Central passing game nowadays is a much different animal, with Frank McGinty - that's Dr. McGinty's son, Frank McGinty - at the helm.

In three games this season, McGinty, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound senior quarterback, has completed 56 of 81 passes for 705 yards and five touchdowns.

Twenty nine of McGinty's passes have been snagged by senior receiver Chris Allen, who has 312 yards and three touchdowns.

Allen caught 11 passes in the Tigers' season-opening 47-39 loss to Columbia-Hickman and eight passes in both of the Tigers' last two games: a 35-20 win over New Madrid County Central and an 18-12 loss to Blytheville.

"We've thrown it to a lot of different guys (nine total)," Central coach Jerry Dement said. "But Frank and Chris have really clicked. Both of them have a great work ethic. The reason they're succeeding is because they've practiced it over and over and over and over."

McGinty threw for 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. Allen was one of his primary receivers, along with senior Ross Bennett.

During impromptu practices and 7-on-7 camps this summer, Allen became McGinty's official go-to guy.

"I knew Chris has always been a great athlete," McGinty said. "But during the 7-on-7s people couldn't cover him. And he's one of those guys who can do so much after the catch. That's what makes him so dangerous."

Allen, who is also a track athlete, has 4.5-second speed in the 40. But his quickness and timing have proven to be his primary weapons. Most of Allen's routes have been short. He is averaging 10.76 yards-per-catch.

"He's got my feet down, and I've got the speed of his pass down," Allen said. "Really, I think anybody should be able to do what I'm doing. If somebody throws the ball to me, I should catch it. And if I stay in the game long enough, I figure I should catch at least five passes."

Allen has worked on his catching technique. His brother, Kevin, a tailback for Central's freshman football team, served as his quarterback when McGinty was not around during the offseason.

"He throws a good ball," Allen said, who added jokingly. "If he doesn't, I get on him.

"I work basically on my catching, because I know I can beat somebody. I use a little football, and try to catch it (with thumbs and forefingers lined up) triangle-to-triangle."

Allen is on a pace to become one of Missouri's all-time leaders in catches in a single high school season.

"He doesn't drop anything," Dement said.

And McGinty doesn't either.

Passing the football, normally considered a risky proposition in the hands of a high school quarterback, has been as safe as running in McGinty's two years as a starter.

In 14 games since the beginning of last season, McGinty has fumbled a snap only twice, and has thrown a mere five interceptions in 216 passing attempts.

"He's probably worked as hard as any athlete I've seen," Dr. Frank McGinty said of his son. "He certainly has the mind for it."

Apparently, he has the genetics. Dr. Charles McGinty, Frank Jr's grandfather and Franks father, was a lineman for the undefeated, unscored-upon 1942 Tigers.

"My grandpa and my dad always had great advice," McGinty said. "They told me if I wanted to play, and if I worked at it, they'd be supportive. They're there every game."

They may see some records fall this year, and if Cape can shake off a pair of tough early defeats, they may see a district champion.

The Tigers have shown an ability to move the ball at will, especially in the air, and especially between McGinty and Allen.

"It's harder to stop a good passing game than anything else," Allen said. "If the timing's right, there's nothing you can do about it."