Three key players for the Cape Central Tigers in semifinal clash with Cardinal Ritter

When it gets to this point of the season, it may seem repetitive to constantly analyze three keys for any team still playing.

The Cape Central Tigers are no different.

When they take on Cardinal Ritter at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, players, coaches and fans alike know what it will take for the Tigers to go on the road and earn a trip to the Class 5 State Title game.

It will take their run game that has been there all season, winning the line of scrimmage, and making big plays when they need them.

Instead of breaking down these keys yet again, this week we are going to look at three key players for the Tigers if they want to knock off undefeated Cardinal Ritter.

Cape Central's Zai'Aire Thomas scores his first of three first-half touchdowns against DeSoto on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022 at Cape Central High School.Southeast Missourian file

__1. KeyShawn Boyd and Zai’Aire Thomas__

These two are being grouped together for obvious reasons. Perhaps the best running back duo in the region, they once again will shoulder a lot of the load offensively, and Tigers coach Kent Gibbs made no secret of that following the win over Eureka in the quarterfinals.

"We're gonna keep trying to run the football and see how far that will take us," Gibbs said.

What makes the duo so special is the fact that nearly everyone knows they’re getting the ball, yet they still continue to dominate opponents week in and week out.

Saturday will be no different, as Cardinal Ritter will surely key in on the duo and force them to adjust.

For most of the season, if one of Thomas or Boyd are off, the other is there to pick up the slack.

If the Tigers want to advance to the state championship game, they need both guys to have the games of their careers.

Cape Central's Davarious Nunley (center) shouts in celebration during a Nov. 18, 2023 Class 5 quarterfinal game between the Eureka Wildcats and the Cape Central Tigers at Eureka High School in Eureka, Mo. Cape Central defeated Eureka, 32-29.Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

__2. Davarious Nunley__

The senior has been the captain of the defense all season long and has been the driving force in the defense’s turnaround this season.

Nunley sealed Saturday’s win over Eureka with an interception that allowed the Tigers to drain the clock and advance.

Plays like that are exactly what the Tigers will need on Saturday.

Nunley’s ability to read the quarterback as well as get to the quarterback in the backfield will be a difference maker.

If the Tigers get out of Saturday’s contest with a win, Nunley will have his fingerprints all over the game.

Cape Central's Jathan Spain rolls out of the pocket during a game at Cape Central High School on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023.Clay Herrell ~ cherrell@semoball.com

__3. Jathan Spain__

For Spain, the focus needs to be on keeping things simple.

The Tigers don’t need him to go out and throw for 200 yards and three touchdowns.

They just need him to make the right reads, get the ball to Thomas or Boyd and not throw interceptions.

All that is obviously easier said than done, but Spain has shown the ability to be the guy the Tigers need him to be.

Spain will need to make timely throws for Cape Central to have a chance.

Whether that is on a play action on first down or a quick pass on third down to extend the drive, Spain will need to make those types of throws to give the Tigers momentum and a chance.