UNDERDOG, 'OVERDOG': TIGERS FACE CHALLENGE OF BLYTHEVILLE ATTACK

For the second straight week, Cape Central will be considered an underdog.

Last week, it was two long pass plays that cost the Tigers (1-1) an upset victory over state-ranked New Madrid.

This week, it may be a pulled hamstring, an injured thumb, a sprained ankle and a bum shoulder.

But Central coach Lawrence Brookins hopes that some younger players will come to the forefront tonight when his Tigers take on the Blytheville (Ark.) Chickasaws at Houck Stadium.

The kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

Some key Central players will either be out or playing at less than 100 percent.

That includes running back Jamelle Austin (thumb), safety/running back Monroe Hicks (hamstring), corner back/wide receiver Ricky Ogles (shoulder) and offensive/defensive lineman Shannon Mungle (ankle).

Austin will play, but with a cast on his hand; Hicks is doubtful, Ogles is out and Mungle is probable.

"We're pretty banged up," said Brookins. "But we've got solid backups in those spots and we should be okay."

Cape Central will also be going with a new quarterback this week.

T.J. Erlacker will replace Jeff Dunaway, who has struggled the last two weeks. Dunaway completed 7-of-20 passes for 32 yards and one interception in his first two games.

As far as Blytheville is concerned, the Chicks are 1-1 after an excruciating loss to Poplar Bluff last Friday night. Trailing 15-14 with 25 seconds to go and no timeouts, Poplar Bluff's stellar quarterback Stan Revelle took the Mules 56 yards and led his team to a win on the last play of the game.

Considering Poplar Bluff is one of the area's best teams, Brookins knows the Tigers will have their hands full with Blytheville. Likewise, Central held its own against the sixth-ranked team in Class 3A last week so Brookins knows a win this week is not out of the question, either.

"They're very (similar) to New Madrid," Brookins said. "As far as speed and shiftiness, they're about the same, but they're much bigger. They're a large squad in terms of height and weight. Their left tackle goes 6-4, 300. He's a kid I think has college potential. His footwork is awesome. But they're a traditional Blytheville squad. They run lots of motion and misdirection.

"Their bread and butter are the sweeps and counters and we have to find a way to stop that. You'll see a lot of movement on the offensive line. You'll even see the tight end pull sometimes."

The Chicks are a pass-only-if-they-have-to squad, which should suit Central's liking. In the last two weeks, the Tigers have allowed just 237 yards rushing, including just 146 to New Madrid's speedy rushing attack.

Central has given up just one rushing touchdown in two games.

But there is always room for improvement.

"We've been stressing that kids in every position have to do their job and do it thoroughly," Brookins said. "We can't have missed assignments. We need to trust our keys -- they'll take us to the ball. We need to be better tacklers and we need to fly to the football and gang tackle."

The Tigers may match up better with Blytheville's defense than with New Madrid's.

But Brookins said a lot of Central's offensive woes last week were due to confusion in blocking schemes.

"We've worked on some things," said Brookins. "But Blytheville will try to disrupt our blocking schemes just like New Madrid did."

Like Central, Blytheville has struggled in the passing game. Quarterback Brandon Bennett is just 4 of 22 for 82 yards and no interceptions in two games. Anthony Anderson is the team's leading rusher. He has 114 yards on 20 carries for a 5.7 average. Ivan Kelly, the team's fullback, is averaging more than six yards per carry (17-103).