Cape Central football finds footing again in 44-6 win over University City

Cape Girardeau Central players stood near the field at Tiger Stadium on Friday night as they savored a 38-point homecoming win with friends and family. Minutes earlier, the final buzzer had sounded, signaling the end of a two-game losing streak thanks to a 44-6 shellacking of visiting University City.

With Central (3-3) back to .500, at least one Tiger was already looking ahead to next week's matchup against Jackson. The Indians remained undefeated Friday with a 14-point win over Poplar Bluff.

"We were just trying to polish things up this week because we've got a big game next week," quarterback Kway'Chon Chisom said. "That team over there. I ain't even going to say their name. We were trying to get ready for that game."

The Tigers weren't entirely pleased with their performance as a few kinks remain, according to Chisom and Tigers first-year coach Arlen Pixley, but Friday's performance was more than enough to overpower the winless Lions (0-6).

Chisom lead the way with three total touchdowns, two rushing and one passing, along with a combined 202 yards through the air and on the ground. Junior running back Aaron Harris chipped in two rushing touchdowns and 112 yards on 14 carries as the Tigers bounced back from last week's 36-34 loss at Poplar Bluff.

"We were hurt after the Poplar Bluff game," Chisom said.

It didn't take long for Chisom and the Tigers to get going. Pixley shook up the offensive line last week before the loss to the Mules, and the revamped unit opened holes early for Harris and Chisom.

"The offensive line's been playing great," Chisom said. "I like the way they are playing right now."

After forcing a three-and-out on the Lions' first possession, Central blocked a punt on fourth-and-8 and Tigers defensive lineman Christian Mitchell recovered the ball at the Lions' 24. On the next play, Chisom scampered into the end zone and for good measure turned a high snap on the extra-point into a two-point conversion.

Less than two minutes in, the Tigers led 8-0. By the end of the quarter the lead had been extended by seven.

"You could tell going into the second quarter they were really sluggish," Harris said. "We had to go for the kill."

That aggressive mindset helped the Tigers dominate the second quarter, as University City didn't cross midfield until the final play of the half. In fact, every play in the second period started in Lions' territory or at the 50.

After the first punt was blocked, the Lions eschewed punting as they were without starting kicker and punter Clayton Miller. The Tigers' offense capitalized on the good field position as Harris had touchdowns runs of 2 and 11 yards in the quarter.

"I told Coach [Tim] McGuire, the offensive coordinator, 'Hey, don't expect to have a whole lot of yards after this ball game,' because we were on a short field and we were getting points," Pixley said.

Coming into the game, Pixley had expressed concern about the Lions' big-play capability, but the Tigers didn't give up a play longer than 20 yards until the fourth quarter, when a 58-yard touchdown pass ruined Central's shutout.

The Tigers' defense forced four turnovers, including an interception by freshman Tyrus Reddin and a fumble recovery by linebacker Trent Leimer. Reserve defensive back Cameron Cox had an interception in the fourth quarter as well.

"The defense was definitely more aggressive," senior wide receiver and defensive back Blake Harris said. "Tackling's been a big issue for us lately, but we put in a lot of practice throughout this week these past three or four days."

Blake, Aaron's older brother, was the Tigers' leading receiver Friday with five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown, his second in as many games. After he found pay dirt in the third quarter, his teammates joked that he stole the touchdown from junior Matt Nussbaum, who they said was open on the play behind Harris.

By that point, the Tigers were up 41-0 and had put the losses to Sikeston and Poplar Bluff in the rearview mirror. Less than an hour later, Chisom was talking about Jackson after absorbing Pixley's post-game message.

"I said, 'Guys, hey, great job tonight," Pixley said. "'Enjoy your weekend. Happy Homecoming. Have fun at the dance. And guess what? Forget about this one at about 11 o'clock tomorrow night when that dance ends and let's get our work hat on for next week.'"

First quarter

CC -- Kway'Chon Chisom 24 run (Chisom run), 10:22

CC -- Joe Baker 8 run (Hunter Hiett kick), 3:33

Second quarter

CC -- Aaron Harris 2 run (Hiett kick), 7:19

CC -- A. Harris 11 run (run failed), 2:26

Third quarter

CC -- Chisom 17 run (pass failed), 6:32

CC -- Blake Harris 16 pass from Chisom (Hiett kick), 2:55

Fourth quarter

UC -- Keeson Taylor 58 pass from Lawrence Coleman (kick failed), 11:03

CC -- Hiett 34 field goal, 5:50

TEAM STATISTICS

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- University City, Givion Crawford 11-47, Atum Gibson 13-27, Lawrence Coleman 1-3, Jason Knight 1-2, Elijah Hall 2-1, Keeson Taylor 1-(-2); Central, Aaron Harris 14-112, Kway'Chon Chisom 9-68, Joe Baker 5-7, Detric Merriweather 5-7, Austin Parker 1-3, Trent Leimer 1-0, Tanner Herbst 1-(-13) .

PASSING -- University City, Gibson 9-19-86-1, Coleman 2-3-68-1; Central, Chisom 8-12-134-0.

RECEIVING -- University City, Taylor 5-105, Crawford 4-31, Tyree Martin 1-16, D'Avion Williams 1-2; Central, Blake Harris 5-63, Austin Parker 2-54, Donye Taylor 1-17.