Cape Central defense shuts down NMCC, 31-0
NEW MADRID -- New Madrid County Central is still waiting for its first touchdown in 2002.
The Eagles were shut out by Cape Central on Friday night, 31-0, falling to 0-2 on the season. Against a tough Tiger defense, NMCC struggled moving the chains, finishing with just 118 yards of offense.
Field position played a large part, with NMCC's best start of the game beginning at their own 22 yard line. The offense failed to get past the Cape Central 41.
"They don't have any weaknesses," said NMCC coach Steve Rogers. "They've got a good balanced offense and their defense really hustles to the ball. In the kicking game, they were kicking the ball into the end zone or down on the goal line every time. When you're back on your own 20, you can't do the things you could if you opened at mid-field. They have a real balanced ballclub. I think they could go a long way."
It's the first time Cape Central has opened the season 2-0 since 1997. It was also head coach Lawrence Brookins' first win over the Eagles.
"This was a nice win," said Brookins. "These guys have basically owned us the last three or four years. This is big for us."
Monroe Hicks led all rushers with 161 yards on 20 carries.
"He's pretty good, right?," joked Brookins. "You put the ball in the hands of your best kids and give them a chance to do something with it. We've got other kids that can help us out, but when you get into a situation where they can't stop a guy, you just keep going to it."
Cape Central scored its first touchdown with 1:42 left in the first quarter. Hicks broke loose for a 64-yard run, setting himself up for a one-yard TD plunge. Colin Schermann kicked the PAT to make it 7-0.
In the second quarter, the Tigers put together a drive that covered 71 yards and ate nearly five minutes off the clock. Quarterback Mitch Craft capped it off with a TD run from nine yards out, making the score 14-0.
"With the athleticism (NMCC has), the way they play 'D' is to jump at everything," said Brookins. "We tried to do some things to take advantage of their over-aggressiveness. We were able to do that a few times tonight."
In the third quarter, Craft took to the air, hooking up with Seth Hudson for a 33-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 21-0. Jeremiah Dukes then added a 21-yard TD run, then in the fourth quarter, Schermann booted a 48-yard field goal to make it 31-0.
"We started out real well, then fatigue kind of set in a little bit," said Rogers. "Then with our youth, you make one mistake and it's a long pass play or a long run. I thought we tackled a lot better tonight."
Craft finished the game with 120 yards through the air on 5-of-8 passing. Quarterback Remond Willis paced the Eagles with 45 yards rushing on eight attempts.
Cape Central (2-0) will host Blytheville on Friday, while NMCC (0-2) travels to Farmington.
"We think we're getting a little bit better every week," said Rogers. "The guys are playing hard. We haven't hit the panic button. We're 0-2, but we're still 0-0 in the conference and 0-0 in the district. We're just trying to get better every week. The guys have a good attitude and the coaches are staying positive. Nobody has quit."