WINLESS TIGERS HEAD FOR GRAVES CO.

It's not going to be easy for the Cape Central Tigers to pick up their first win of the season tonight.

It hasn't even been easy for them to score.

But Cape Central coach Lawrence Brookins hopes to see a more consistent offense tonight when the 0-4 Tigers play at Graves County, Ky (3-2).

"We have to execute, obviously, better than we have," Brookins said. "We've gotten better, slowly, each of these past few weeks. But we still have not been as consistent as we need to be if we want to get ourselves out of this dip here in terms of wins and losses."

The inconsistency is truly puzzling for the Tigers. For instance, last week -- after mustering basically no offense in the first half -- Central marched down the field on a long drive for a score. Then the Tigers' offense -- which has scored just three touchdowns this season with its two others coming on returns -- reverted to its old ways.

If Central can maintain good offensive execution and at least muster a first down or two on most of their possessions, Brookins likes his chances.

"This is a team we can play with, but we can't make the mistakes that we've made in the past. But we've got a great chance of going down there and picking up our first win."

Though Central has allowed 131 points this year, the Tigers' offense is largely responsible for the high scores by going three-and-out too often. The defense, for the most part, has held its own.

That defense, however, took a big hit this week when it lost outside linebacker Ross Conner for the season with an elbow injury.

Conner -- Central's best basketball player and also a track athlete -- will likely be back for the beginning of basketball season, Brookins said. Corey Lewis will start in Conner's place.

Lewis and the rest of the Tiger defense will go up against a versatile team with an impressive quarterback.

The head coach's son, Stephen Hatchell (6-2, 188) is 46-88 this year for 745 passing yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

"He's got some range and a strong arm and he's a lefty and that always seems to throw people off a little bit," Brookins said. "He's had a couple of really good weeks. They don't seem to have outstanding receivers, at least in terms of speed."

Graves County features two stocky running backs in junior Travis Bradley (5-8, 196) and senior Jarrod Thompson (5-7, 196). Bradley has carried the ball 73 times for 450 yards and five touchdowns, while Thompson has 351 yards and six touchdowns on 84 carries.

"They run some odd sets that are more to get in your head," Brookins said. "Out of those goofy sets, they just run the standard dives, powers and sweeps. They're just hoping to get somebody lined up out of position."

Graves County's defense is led by middle linebacker Kyle Hobbs (5-10, 200)

"They expect him to cover at least two gaps by himself," said Brookins. "In high school ball, most coaches are scared to ask a defensive player to cover two gaps. He must be a good athlete."