TIGERS FIND COMPANY IN WARRIORS

On paper, Cape Central and St. Charles West look flat even.

Or evenly flat, depending on how one looks at it.

Both teams, which square off tonight at 7:30 in St. Charles, give up a little more than 32 points per game.

The Warriors average seven points per game, while Central's offense averages nine.

The score last year? St. Charles West 9, Cape Central 7.

To put it bluntly, this may be the best matchup that the Tigers (0-6) will face for the rest of the season.

"We've both have the same type of year this year," said Central coach Lawrence Brookins. "They're 1-5 and we're obviously 0-6. They've had some of the same experiences as we've had in player-personnel changes. And they play a lot of young kids, just like Cape Central. When we're seeing them, it's a mirror image basically."

St. Charles West's only win was a 7-6 victory over Wentzville (1-5). The Class 4A school's other games were all blowout losses, including last week's 33-16 loss to a tough Francis Howell North squad.

Central has suffered a similar fate. Though the Tigers have yet to win a game, they have been within 11 points twice. And they have held first-quarter leads in two other games.

But ultimately, the young Central team has found ways to lose.

Brookins knows that to break into the win column, the team has to cut down on turnovers.

"Our point production has steadily increased this season, thank God," Brookins said. "But turnovers -- a couple fumbles and interceptions -- in some crucial times really hurt us and lack of production hurt us.

"But our quarterbacks are learning to become more patient when they can be. On the other hand, sometimes they've only got three-step drops and they have to get rid of it. But they're learning."

Last Thursday, Central couldn't slow down Sikeston's Justin Robinson, as the area's leading running back rumbled for a school-record 318 yards.

"Take Justin Robinson out of the equation last week and we probably beat Sikeston," Brookins said. "He's that much of a difference maker. He's that good. I respect and admire him a lot."

Central certainly won't face a back of his caliber this week, as St. Charles West's top runner has just 181 yards on the season.

It is a balanced attack, though, as the Warriors have five running backs in the 130-180 yard-range.

"St. Charles operates out of the wishbone and runs different sets out of that," Brookins said. "They're basically based out of the bone. They've got good team size, but not great. We think we can line up with them physically. They've got good team speed, but not great. We should match up well and in some areas might be a little faster than them.

"Their best runner is their quarterback (E.J. Slaughter), who is a tough runner. He can make you miss and do some cutting, but he's not a game-breaker."

Tonight's games

(7:30 kickoffs)

Cape Central at St. Charles West

Soldan at Jackson

Sikeston at New Madrid

Scott City at Hayti

Malden at Chaffee

Kennett at East Prairie

Caruthersville at Dexter

Grandview at St. Vincent

Fredericktown at North County

Anna-Jonesboro at DuQuoin

Johnston City at Cairo (7 p.m.)

Saturday's Games

Perryville at John Burroughs, 2 p.m.

Portageville at Mt. View Liberty, 3 p.m.

Poplar Bluff at Belleville, Althoff, Ill., 7:30 p.m.