Cape Central’s Deklin Pittman embracing final ride as a Tiger

Senior quarterback Deklin Pittman has seen the highs and lows of Cape Central football throughout his high school playing career.

As a freshman in 2021, he watched the Tigers go 2-7 and average just 10 points per game. Pittman was also around for moments of growth and success, playing amid Cape Central’s historic run that includes back-to-back District 1 titles and Class 5 state semifinal appearances.

Now, competing for his hometown one final time as a senior, Pittman and his teammates are not done writing more history.

“We're all really good friends right now,” he said. “We just got to get closer and closer. Our line has done a great job and there are players who still mess up here and there. We just need to make a stronger push and more hard running and hard work on the practice field. Possibly expand the legacy.”

The Tigers’ 3-0 start to open the 2024 campaign has shed light on how high their ceiling is this season and how that legacy can, in fact, expand.

Cape Central has outscored its first three opponents 133-16 and are currently ranked first in the latest Semoball Top 10 rankings .

The squad returns its top two offensive weapons in all-state running back Keyshawn Boyd and do-it-all speedster Zai’Aire Thomas, as well as a defense that is littered with physical playmakers at each level. Sixth-year head coach Kent Gibbs’ ability to construct and develop a strong roster on a consistent basis has made the Tigers near recession proof.

So, how does the early dominance translate to a tough mid-season stretch that includes games against Poplar Bluff, St. Dominic, and Jackson? That is, of course, the big question for the time being. But what is not being questioned is Pittman’s production and noticeable growth on the gridiron thus far.

Pittman is fresh off his best game of the young season behind a three-touchdown outing in two quarters of action against rival Sikeston, where Cape Central throttled the Bulldogs 56-16. His night was highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Paul Tran on the first play of the game and a 45-yard touchdown run, showcasing his mobility and dual-threat athleticism. The signal caller also commands an offense that has averaged 44.3 points per game so far this year – the most by Cape Central in the first three games of a season since 2014 when the Tigers finished 12-3 and reached the Class 4 state title game.

Equally as impressive, though, has been Pittman’s ability to step up and help these Tigers carve their own identity. They are a fun, captivating bunch, led by a group of alpha dogs – Pittman, his brother Gavin, Thomas, Cartez Hopkins, Shawn Shelton, even Boyd as a junior. Pittman calls it, “a brotherhood.

“We all mess around with each other on and off the field. We always hang out outside of the locker room. When it comes to here, we're competitive, but we still love each other.”

Gibbs said as far back as the preseason that Pittman’s leadership and maturity at the quarterback position caught the coaching staff’s attention – not that anyone was overly surprised.

“He’s done a really good job trying to take charge and get guys in the right spots and do the things that he needs to get better,” said Gibbs in August.

Gibbs also touched on how both the Pittman brothers bring a unique sensibility to the Tigers’ locker room.

“They’re steady in what they do and there's not a whole lot of surprises, which, as a coach, that's what you want,” said Gibbs following Cape Central's Jamboree scrimmage. “They’ve always learned as they go and know how to take coaching. Deklin, being the quarterback, has really done a good job of trying to take control and become a leader for us on offense. Those two are always here. They're always doing the things that we need them to do.”

With their high school careers nearing the finish line, it’s reasonable to think that Pittman and his fellow senior teammates would be flooded with some type of emotion – angst, overwhelmingness, nervousness, or maybe a hint of sadness.

Except they aren’t.

“It's definitely tough, but maybe there's many more opportunities to come afterwards,” Pittman said. “I'm just enjoying it while I can and having fun with the guys. I'm still around with them and here to enjoy the ride.”

Maybe one more thing: to end on a high note.