Rachel Crader is the editor of semoball.com. She graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in May of 2009 before spending the summer covering the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Highlights from Rachel's days in college include having a class down the hall from Chase Daniel and having NCAA wrestling champion Ben Askren hold the door open for her at Brady Commons, Mizzou's student center. She spent time covering Mizzou basketball, softball and baseball while working for the Columbia Missourian and is excited to return home to Southeast Missouri to cover local sports for semoball.com.

Rachel has covered three Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournaments for the Southeast Missourian and semoball.com, and she'll see you courtside again this year.

Cape Central joins state football rankings

Posted Wednesday, September 29, 2010, at 3:19 AM

You can check out the full rankings here, but I'll tell you that the Cape Central Tigers have joined the Class 4 rankings at No. 9.

So...who had week 5 in the Week-Cape-Central-Will-Join-The-State-Rankings pool before the season started? Anyone? You? I'd bet not.

Sikeston and Caruthersville are once again included in the rankings this week and all three teams deserve their praise, but how could anyone (OK, anyone outside a Cape Central coach, parent or rabid fan) have predicted a 5-0 start for the Tigers.

I'm not high school football savant and I won't insult your intelligence by pretending to be, but I heard and read all the preseason talk from fans as well as those-who-know. The talk that said Cape Central would be better. The talk that said it looked good over the summer and at the jamboree. The talk that said it would compete. But from 0-10 to 5-0? Really? With practically the same roster?

I don't care who the Tigers have played or how easy it has been for some to see that this is how it would go in hindsight, the turnaround has been remarkable.

I know there is plenty of football to be played and plenty can (and has) been said about the schedule Cape Central (and Sikeston) has played, but we'll find out soon enough just how good the Tigers are and if they can beat Sikeston and all of that other stuff we suddenly find ourselves wondering about Cape Central. As has been pointed out before, Sikeston faced the same criticisms last year on their way to the state semifinals.

(By the way, there are some who seem to cling to the idea that Sikeston's schedule "caught up" with them in the state semis, a notion I disagree with on principle. What typically catches up with any team in the state semifinals in any sport is a fantastic opponent, but that is probably a whole other blog.)

My point is that at some point you just have to give a team credit. You have to acknowledge that what they have done is good on an appropriate level and say "Well done."

While being state-ranked doesn't win you any football games, while it doesn't make you a different team than you were the day before and while it doesn't even prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are the ninth best team in the state, it does mean that what you have done is good.

Well done, Tigers.

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Does this mean we get to have a pizza party?

-- Posted by drawmules2 on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 3:25 AM
Congrats to the Central Tigers for making state ranks. Glad to see there are some people out there to give you the credit that you all have worked so hard to get...Proud of you all!!

-- Posted by cooler68 on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 4:47 AM
Good point Crader. Schedule had nothing to do with Sikeston losing to Helias last year. They were a fantastic opponent, as you mentioned. Had Sikeston played Kearney, Rockhurst, Blue Springs, and all the Hazelwoods you could find, it still wouldn't have changed the fact that Helias was a better football team. The only thing it would have changed is Sikeston wouldn't have been undefeated heading into the game.

-- Posted by semohoops on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 7:59 AM
Excellent read. Congrats to Cape Central.

-- Posted by Cully Bryant on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 9:12 AM
Congrats to Cape Central on your season so far. Hard work, good coaching, the kids buying in and the administration standing by the program have reulted in positive things happening for the Tigers.

-- Posted by semo ref on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 9:34 AM
Four words - IT'S ABOUT DARN TIME!

-- Posted by vincebrown on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 9:41 AM
Lets not put too much stock into the so called AP Poll...there are 10 people across the state that vote in this every week....most of whom have never seen the teams they are voting for....its a sham...but nice recognition for Cape...thats all it is...this poll is way overrated!!! Vince you still work at KAPE???

PS---- I think Sikeston is hearing the footsteps...and getting nervous....only three weeks to shore up their defense before the big game :)

-- Posted by RedShirt on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 9:44 AM
First congrats to Cape Central and I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer. I just wonder why it took Sikeston becoming 9-0 and posting 3 shut outs to crack no. 9 last year? What are the A.P. looking at when determining these rankings? I know Central has turned their program around but to jump to no. 9 in the state after winning 5 games? Again congrats to Cape Central this is not a diss at you guys, just me trying to get an understanding.

-- Posted by sbulldog4life on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 9:56 AM
I wouldn't worry too much about how the polls are conducted sbulldog4life. Last year was a different year with different good teams. This year they may be fewer stronger teams state-wide than there were last year. Or maybe there were a whole lot more undefeated teams last year. Who knows. There are a number of reasons why it worked that way.

-- Posted by semohoops on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 10:26 AM
@RedShirt - nope, haven't worked @ KAPE since Labor Day '09, but I do keep in touch with the guys. Doing Internet sports radio now.

As far as the polls are concerned, the closer a team is to one of the bigger cities - and you beat that team - the more notoriety you get in the poll. Central has beaten two "St Louis" area teams - Festus and North County (Bonne Terre). Not to mention, New Madrid was in the 'schools receiving votes' column at the beginning of the season when Central beat them.

-- Posted by vincebrown on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 12:10 PM
Another reason could be that Sikeston "paved" the way for this to happen. I mean with what the run they had last year it got this area some recognition. Looks like week 9 matchup could be one of the tops in the state. That is if both teams take care of business.

-- Posted by FBSEMOfan on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 12:17 PM
I'm still dumbfounded by all the positive comments. For two years all I read was how terrible the coaching staff was. Now all of the sudden all these fair weather fans have nothing but positive comments about the job being done at Central. Do you really think anything has changed in the way these coaches are doing their job. The answer is NO. They were doing the same job the last few years, just didn't get the results they wanted. They work their butts off to try and develop winners each and every year, and the only time Cape supports them is when they win. Pathetic ! I guess it's like Ron Shumate once said, Cape fans love you win or win ! Where are all the people wanting the entire staff to be fired. Are they miraculously great coaches now. I love the fact all those haters have egg on their face.

-- Posted by Kdub102002 on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 12:23 PM
Dont count Farmington out of this race...you would be a fool ;)

-- Posted by RedShirt on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 1:37 PM
kdud, It's not just Cape fans, it's all fans. And I agree, Farmington is not to be overlooked.

-- Posted by whitey11 on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 5:08 PM
There were KEY coaching changes. One coach in an important role took a little step down while a new coach with an impressive resume filled in.

Personally I think that Farmington could give Cape more problems then Sikeston will.

-- Posted by BB-BORE on Wed, Sep 29, 2010, at 7:07 PM
Yes there were coaching changes and that was something that should have been done a long time ago!!

-- Posted by Rocky B on Thu, Sep 30, 2010, at 9:41 AM
Everyone keep comenting on Sikeston and there defense. What if you do allow 34 pts a game your offense is scoring 45pt. Who wins. Looks to me like some teams had better start figuring a way of stopping there offense

-- Posted by lastride67 on Thu, Sep 30, 2010, at 11:45 AM
What are the coaching changes that were needed to be made?

-- Posted by CapeTiger5 on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 11:32 AM
They wanted a house cleaning last year. Everyone must go....some people said. Don't hear that this year. The same coaches, coaching the same positions. Looks like they are getting the job done. Or like some said last year it was the kids that need to wake up and start playing up to their ability. Well central hitting on all cylinders right now. Hope the Warriors come ready to play or it could be another long night for a Tiger opponent. Good luck to all area teams tonight. Should be great weather for football tonight.

-- Posted by FBSEMOfan on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 1:05 PM
For the record, Coach Norman is an excellent hire and an excellent football coach. But I can see the comments now: If the tigers win and go 6-0, it will be because of coaching changes, if they happen to lose, it will be the fault of last year's coaches. Somewhat like the shape our country's in still being Bush's fault...

-- Posted by whitey11 on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 5:03 PM
Hey Vince: Link to your internet radio show? I had no idea.

-- Posted by Counter Top on Sat, Oct 2, 2010, at 3:15 AM
Question: If 2 teams from the same district meet in the 2nd round of state, is that game held at the district winner? Thanx

-- Posted by Counter Top on Sat, Oct 2, 2010, at 3:48 AM
the only real coaching change has been the head coach, who didnt even call the plays on offense or defense.

-- Posted by CapeTiger5 on Mon, Oct 4, 2010, at 12:51 PM

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