Tigers seek the perfect solution for Indians

Cape Central and Jackson are two teams headed in opposite directions.

Jackson is riding high after its running back, Mario Whitney, set a state record last week when he ran for 463 yards.

The Indians are undefeated and as confident and focused as ever.

The Tigers, meanwhile, have scrapped and clawed and fought and have just a 2-3 record to show for it.

Central faithful believe the Tigers could easily be 5-0 at this point and indeed they have been competitive in every game.

But despite their ability to move the football, they haven't been able to put the ball into the end zone. As a result, they seem to be pressing on offense.

"We watched them on film," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "And we saw the Poplar Bluff and Graves County games. And if you didn't know the score, you'd swear they'd beat those teams 35-0. They'd make some plays, but ugly things are happening when they get in the red zone and they shoot themselves in the foot."

So the two teams are headed in opposite directions, in terms of confidence. But they're are also on a collision course.

The Indians and Tigers will hook up in the area's most heated rivalry tonight when the two Cape County teams meet at 7:30 p.m. at Houck Stadium.

"I guess it was the usual Jackson week," Central wide receiver Chris Conrad said. "The usual stuff going on between the two schools. I think we practiced well this week. We looked good on offense and defense. I just hope we play hard."

Jackson has beaten Cape Central six out of the last seven meetings. The Tigers' last win was in 1998.

By comparing scores, Jackson should be a huge favorite tonight. The Indians blistered Graves County 41-20. One week later -- last week -- the Tigers fell to Graves County 13-7 in overtime.

But Jackson was also heavily favored the last two years and both times Central played the Indians close. In 1999, Central held a lead at halftime and last year, the Tigers led midway through the fourth quarter before Whitney broke off two long runs as the Indians won 34-24.

The Tigers may be the best defense Jackson has faced this year.

It all starts up front for the Tigers, where Chris Smith (6-2, 315) and Justin Wells (6-0, 250) anchor a stellar defensive line. That should set up an interesting matchup given that Jackson's offensive line has been outstanding as well.

"Graves County still hasn't blocked Smith yet," Gross said. "They've got an athletic secondary. They scare me to death because if they show up and decide not to shoot themselves in the foot, we'll be up to our butts in alligators.

"If they beat us, it will be because they were better than us, not because we overlooked them. It's not going to be a surprise if Cape plays well."

Central's defense did take a big hit this week as Jeremiah Dukes will not be eligible for disciplinary reasons. Dukes leads the area with 76 tackles. Kenny Lowe will take his spot at middle linebacker.

In another change, sophomore Mitch Craft will start at cornerback.

Taking aggressive approach

Central coach Lawrence Brookins knows it's not realistic that his defensive players will make every tackle on Whitney.

Brookins just doesn't want his defenders waiting to make the tackle.

"He's going to break one or two. But we've been telling them not to get back on their heels," Brookins said. "When Bluff had success against him last year, they were being aggressive and came at him hard. We can't be tentative. We can't pitter-patter around and wait, wait, wait. Even if we miss, we have to run downhill into the gap and at least force him back inside."

On offense, Cape Central has thrown the ball better than it has run so far.

Craft is having a stellar season at quarterback, completing 51 of his 78 passes for 682 yards.

More on Whitney's record

It's a good thing Whitney's final run last week was 61 yards instead of, say, 25.

Because the state rushing record was broken twice Friday night.

Orrick's Austin Jones rushed for 428 yards, leaving him 35 yards behind Whitney.

Also, it has been discovered that Brock Olivo didn't hold the previous record after all. In 1996, Derek Rouse of Putnam County rushed for 414 yards.