Sikeston and Cape Central meet again in Class 4, District 1 semifinal

SIKESTON -- The rematch is here.

After Sikeston stunned state-ranked Cape Central 23-19 in Week 3 of this season, head coach Kent Gibbs knew that probably wouldn't be the last that his team saw of the Tigers.

The two teams will meet again at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium in the semifinals of Class 4, District 1 tomorrow night.

Cape Central will be looking for redemption. Sikeston will try to show that the first time was no fluke. The winner will have a spot in the district championship game. The loser is done.

"It's a big ballgame for a lot of reasons, but the biggest reason is if you win you go on and if you don't you go home," Gibbs said. "Over the years it's developed into quite the rivalry. We were fortunate to beat them the first time and I'm sure they will be looking for revenge and ready to go."

In the first meeting, Sikeston controlled the clock and the tempo of the game with its double-wing, double-tight offense, eventually rallying to score with 27 seconds left to win the game.

In a back-and-forth contest that saw both teams trade scores from start to finish, it was the Bulldogs that came up with the big plays late to knock off the Tigers for the first time in four games.

"I don't know if we caught them off guard or what," Gibbs said. "Here's what I do know for sure. I know that the night we played them we played extremely well and we played extremely hard for four quarters. For us to have a chance we'll have to do things similar that we did in that third week."

Third-seeded Cape Central comes into the game with a 6-4 record against a stout schedule. The Tigers rebounded from its loss to Sikeston to win out in the SEMO North and claim the conference title.

And despite its record, the Tigers still finished second ahead of the Bulldogs in the district standings, but Sikeston jumped Cape Central due to its head to head win.

Cape Central showed that it may be rounding into playoff form in last week's 48-7 rout of North County.

"We've just got to be ready to play a very, very talented football team," Gibbs said. "We know how talented they are. Our margin of error is very small. We're going to have to play a great football game and hold down their skill kids and find a way to move the ball on offense. We didn't really light it up the first time. We held onto the ball for long periods of time and we've got to do that again this time."

The Tigers rely on the dynamic talents of senior receiver Al Young, who is utilized all over the field in a variety of ways.

Cape Central's Al Young (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown against Sikeston Friday at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)

Cape Central's Al Young (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown against Sikeston Friday at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)

The Bulldogs held him in check in the first meeting, limiting him to two receptions for 20 yards with a touchdown. He did contribute in other ways, however, throwing for a touchdown and returning a kick that set up the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Young has been used much more out of the backfield as of late, rushing for 166 yards on 10 carries last week.

Quarterback Kway'chon Chisom has also settled in behind center while also maintaining his impact on defense. He returned an interception for a touchdown last week.

The Bulldogs will also have to find a way to slow down bruising sophomore running back Aaron Harris, who hurt Sikeston with 115 yards rushing in the first meeting. He rushed for 169 yards on just nine carries last week against North County.

Sikeston (7-3) found some resistance in its opening round district game, blowing a huge lead before responding with the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter to defeat DeSoto, 35-34.

"We've got to be able to play for four quarters," Gibbs said. "We haven't played a full four quarter game for some time now."

Last week Sikeston found its most success through the air with quarterback Nathan Hampton throwing for a career high 318 yards.

He has thrown for 1,163 yards this season with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Earnest Fobbs has 1,192 all-purpose yards, rushing for 732 yards with 460 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns.

Gibbs indicated that Sikeston's improvement in the passing game hasn't gone unnoticed, but the ball-control game-plan will still be in effect.

"If you can complete passes and make first downs the clock still runs," Gibbs said. "We're going to slow the pace down, no doubt. Against DeSoto we wanted to pick up the pace and play faster. But against Cape we've got to try to limit their possessions. You can do that and still throw the football if you're completing passes. How much we pass will depend on a lot of different things."

The Bulldogs lead the all-time series with Cape Central 51-44-7. It's Sikeston's second longest ongoing rivalry after the Charleston series.