TIGERS END CONFERENCE DROUGHT

After three years and nine games, the Cape Central Tigers broke their losing spell in the SEMO North Conference.

The Tigers got another big game from quarterback Frank McGinty and arguably their best performance on defense Thursday night to knock off the Sikeston Bulldogs 28-14 at Houck Stadium.

The win ended the Tigers' most successful season since 1989 with a 7-3 record overall. Central finished third in the district and conference with a 1-2 mark. Sikeston dropped its fourth game in a row to complete the Bulldogs' worst season since 1989. The Bulldogs finished the year at 3-6 overall and 0-3 in the conference and district.

"It really feels good to get the conference win," said an emotional Tatum Kitchen after his final game at Central. "It was really enjoyable. This is one of the best feelings I've ever had."

Kitchen scored a touchdown and added 83 yards rushing while 1,000-yard runner Justin Blackmon finished his career at Central with a team-leading 103 yards and a short TD run.

"I'd never beaten (Sikeston) before in my life," said Kitchen. "I didn't know how we were going to play, but this time we came out and got ahead of them early and that really set the tone for us."

The Tigers took their opening two offensive drives in for touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. McGinty ended the first drive -- a seven-play, 75-yard drive -- with a 1-yard quarterback sneak.

Kitchen ended the second drive -- a 12-play, 61-yard drive -- with another 1-yard score. Kitchen's score was set up by a 34-yard pass completion by McGinty to big tight end Gabe Wunderlich.

McGinty, a junior who was slowly worked into the offense early in the season, responded toward the end of the season to end with over 1,100 yards passing. Against the Bulldogs, McGinty completed 9-of-13 passes for 166 yards.

"I just got used to everything," McGinty said of his progression as the Tigers' quarterback in his first season as the starter. "I got used to the pressure and emotion of the position and just settled down and learned what was going on."

McGinty's weekly improvement came to fruition on a 35-yard scoring pass to Ross Bennett in the third quarter that put the Tigers ahead 28-7. McGinty dropped a pass between double coverage to Bennett running down the Sikeston sideline to put the game out of reach.

"It was great protection by the line," said McGinty. "I had plenty of time; I saw a hole where Ross was and threw it there. Ross made a great catch."

Bennett, who has been the main beneficiary of McGinty's steady improvement, led Central in receiving with four catches for 73 yards.

"He put (the pass) right on the money," Bennett said. "I could see the defender behind me and the defender in front of me, and the ball was right between them.

"I didn't have to do anything but catch it. I had the easy job."

The Tigers made things look easy for most of the game, taking a 21-7 lead at halftime. After Sikeston scored in the second quarter on a 17-yard run by sophomore Justin Robinson to make it 14-7, Central got that score back when Blackmon went over from 2-yards out with just 1:37 left in the half. Jeff Michel, who was perfect on four extra point kicks, made the score 21-7 at the half as a late drive by Sikeston fizzled.

Sikeston scored late in the fourth quarter on a 13-yard run by Mark Blissett, but never threatened again. Blissett, who became Sikeston's all-time leading rusher in the game, totaled 157 yards on 25 carries.

Despite his rushing yardage the Central defense did keep Blissett bottled up for most of the evening. Over 60 of Blissett's yards came late in the game.

"The mud really hurt Mark," said Kitchen. "If it would have been dry he may have put on a show."