Let's get ready to rumble

Thursday, October 24, 2002
Cape Central will look to contain Sikeston quarterback Blake DeWitt in Friday's Class 4 District 1 matchup.

Bulldogs open district with Cape Central

SIKESTON - The Sikeston Bulldogs have certainly had an interesting season.

It's been a season highlighted by three goal-line stands in the waning moments of games that have preserved victory three times.

It's been a season in which the Bulldogs have fielded one of their best defensive teams in a number of years.

And at 5-1, the Bulldogs are off to their best start since 1998.

But not much of that will matter on Friday night when they host the 6-1 Cape Central Tigers at SPS Stadium at 7:30 in the Class 4, District 1 opener.

The two-time defending district champion Tigers enter the game as the prohibitive favorite after rolling through a tough schedule in impressive fashion. Other than a double overtime loss to No. 8 ranked North County, the ninth ranked Tigers have won by an average score of 38 to 9.

The Tigers have defeated the Bulldogs the last two years to open district play. But head coach Charlie Vickery sees opening district play with the powerful Tigers as a challenge.

"It's going to be a huge challenge for us just to see if we can stay with them," said Vickery. "They're by far one of the best teams in the area, if not the state."

Likewise, third-year Cape Central head coach Lawrence Brookins thinks it is just as much of a challenge for his team to enter Bulldog Country without feeling some nerves.

"It's a great matchup -- it makes me a little nervous," said Brookins. "Every game is big, but you add the playoff aspects, the playoff atmosphere, those Red Peppers are going to be out in full force Friday -- it's going to be a rockin' joint."

The Bulldogs are coming off an open date, which gave the coaching staff an extra week to prepare for the Tigers and gave the players a week off to heal injuries.

"I'm sure the coaching staff used the time off well," said Brookins. "You give those guys an extra week to prepare, that definitely could be in their favor."

But preparing for the Tigers could be tricky business. They are a team that can run or throw equally well. And the team's defense may be the team strength.

Offensively, quarterback Mitch Craft has thrown for 961 yards, completing 59-of-99 with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. He's rushed for 362 yards on 62 carries with five TDs.

Returning all-state defensive back Monroe Hicks is the top offensive weapon, leading the team with 1,141 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns.

Seth Hudson leads the team in receiving with 21 catches for 351 yards and five scores.

"They're so diversified on offense -- they can do so many different things," said Vickery. "And that makes them so dangerous, because you can't key on one particular area. I don't think you're going to completely stop them. Hopefully you can just slow them up a little bit and get them out of their rhythm."

Sikeston's defense has carried the team this year, allowing an average of 14 points per game. Jacob Priday has recorded an unbelievable 125 tackles with two sacks and an interception through just six games.

Cape Central's defense, along with Hicks, is led by linebacker Jeremiah Dukes, who leads the team with 46 solo tackles despite missing a few games due to injury.

Sikeston's top offensive player is quarterback Blake DeWitt, who leads the team with 54 points. He has thrown for 507 yards on 30-of-71 passing with three TDs and two interceptions. He's also rushed for 320 yards with six scores.

Lavar Morgan leads the team with 406 rushing yards on 104 carries with four TDs.

But Brookins knows the offense goes through DeWitt first.

"Blake DeWitt is a concern for us at quarterback," said Brookins. "He's a very good athlete, he's a smart young man. He can manage their offense very well, he's got the respect of his teammates and coaches, I think that's obvious. He's the guy I see as the trigger to their offense. Morgan has got the ability to hurt you carrying the football out of the backfield, but I really think the heartbeat of the team is Blake DeWitt."

Both teams have had plenty of opportunities to scout each other this season in person with the Tigers playing several of their games on Thursday night.

"Xs and Os, I think both teams know each other pretty stinkin' well," said Brookins. "I don't think there's many secrets. I'm sure both of us may have a couple wrinkles up our sleeve."

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