TIGERS PASS FITNESS TEST IN OPENER, GIVE WARRIORS THE FITS

Cape Central's hard work has paid off.

After an offseason in which by all accounts has been the Tigers' best in several years, Cape Central coach Lawrence Brookins thought his team was in better shape than St. Charles West Friday night.

The result was a 35-0 win and the end of a 11-game home losing streak.

"The thing that sticks out in my mind was the level of conditioning," said Brookins. "It was obvious to about everybody that we were in better shape. Even when it was hot, we kept it going at practice."

Brookins said he was impressed with several individuals in Friday night's game.

He said the offensive and defensive lines played well, particularly the offensive line.

"We've got a nice little stable of backs," said Brookins. "They're not All-Americans, but if you give them a seam, they'll get 4 yards, 5 yards and every once in a while they'll get a long one like Jamelle (Austin) got last night."

Brookins also liked what he saw from Ricky Ogles in the defensive backfield and from sophomore DB/RB Monroe Hicks.

Hicks was Central's second-leading rusher Friday night with 87 yards on 13 carries for an average of 6.7 yards per carry.

"Monroe Hicks was almost errorless," said Brookins. "Almost. But there was a wide assortment of guys who had a good game. But the reality is, we've got a hard road ahead."

Central will travel to New Madrid County Central, the top 3A team in the area, next Friday night.

Chaffee 40,

Grandview 14

After making a two-hour trip, Chaffee went three-and-out on its first possession.

On Grandview's first play from scrimmage, it scored a touchdown on a reverse.

Instead of folding, the Red Devils responded by outscoring Grandview 40-7 the rest of the way.

"Our kids snapped right out of it," said Chaffee coach Allan Horrell. "From that first play, we kind of took over."

In his first game as Chaffee's starting tailback, G.P. Glueck rushed for 170 yards on 20 carries, while quarterback Travis Hanback completed 3-of-10 passes for 108 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also ran the ball seven times for 50 yards and two touchdowns. Hanback's longest completion was a 70-yard strike to Jeremy Lynn for a touchdown. Lynn ended up with two catches for 75 yards.

"This is what we wanted to be after Week 1," said Horrell. "To be 1-0 is just a big joy for us. To start the season with a win in back-to-back years is a first in a long time and that helps pump the kids up. Hopefully we can continue."

Chaffee plays Fredericktown at 2 p.m. next Saturday.

Kennett 19,

Charleston 6

The Kennett-Charleston game was about as crisp as Jell-O.

The game featured 11 fumbles, four interceptions and 200 yards in penalties.

The main difference in the game was field position as Kennett started six drives at the Charleston 36 or better.

"They finished with 176 yards of total offense and that's pretty good considering the game was played on our side of the field," said Charleston coach Brent Anderson. "I was pleased with how hard we played. They just wore us down in the second half."

New Madrid 44,

Mt. Vernon, Ill. 0

New Madrid's Dereke Tipler scored three touchdowns two coming on punt returns of 65 and 60 yards, and another coming on a 43-yard fumble recovery return.

The Eagles, who take on Cape Central this Friday, posted a 32-0 lead at halftime.

Poplar Bluff 29,

Dexter 7

Dexter's Matt Burnett ran the opening kickoff back 85 yards, but that would be the only points the Bearcats would score.

Mules standout quarterback Stan Revelle, who was under pressure on several occasions, completed 13 of 19 passes for 239 yards, but was intercepted four times.

The SEMO News Service contributed to this story