Tiger gridders find another big weapon

At 5-0 and ranked No. 6 in the state Class 4 rankings, Smith-Cotton’s football team has relied on three unflinching constants that have given fans a taste of 2008’s success.

While eluding the grasp of even the most elite teams, the formula has been simple for the undefeated Tigers. A dominant defense plus an overpowering offensive line plus an unstoppable run game equals success.

The proof is in the numbers.

The defense has allowed an average of only 13 points a contest and had forced eight turnovers, the ground game has averaged more than 342 yards a contest and reached the end zone 25 times (five touchdowns a game), and the offensive line has protected the quarterback and opened up gaps for the rushing attack.

The Tigers have weathered an unrelenting road schedule, have defeated three conference foes — none bigger than the 28-20 victory over O’Hara — and have outscored opponents by an average of four touchdowns.

Now in the wake of last Friday’s 7-for-7, 149-yard performance from quarterbacks Dominique Smith and Kendal Brown, it looks like the passing game is a go-to weapon.

Sporadic and conservative in the first three weeks, the aerial attack accounted for only 85 yards (28.3 a contest) with a mere touchdown. What a difference two weeks make — and the addition of a quarterback who possesses the height of the James Bond villain Jaws or an NBA power forward.

With the inclusion of the 6-foot-7 Brown, the Tigers have gone 14 of 15 through the air for 196 yards, finally establishing an alternative to the rushing attack that’s captured the headlines. While the 98 yards through the air over the past two weeks isn’t remarkable, the zero interceptions and the efficiency certainly signal that the aerial game is taking flight.

“I think the thing with Dominique is he’s starting to play within himself in the passing game instead of always trying to make the big play,” Johnson said.

“We need him to make completions, which he’s done, and Kendal’s got a cannon back there where he keeps secondaries honest. The two bring something different and teams always have to know where Kendal is at all times and where Dom’s at. It just makes opposing defensive coordinators aware.”

As evidenced by his team-leading 10 receptions and 128 yards, wide receiver Sam Brummett has provided a compliment to Brown’s arm. Over the past two games, the sure-handed 5-10 wideout has caught eight passes for 102 yards.

“They put the ball in the air and I’ll make a play on the ball,” Brummett said. “I work on the fundamentals every week in practice and I make sure my hands are strong. My job is to make the catch and not drop the ball. That’s what I do and it’s been working.”

With the previous one-dimensional attack, opposing defenses could stack the box and focus on the task of limiting Andrew Byrd’s bruising running style. The attention didn’t stop Byrd from racking up stats — 973 yards (195 yards a game) and 13 touchdowns, averaging 10.69 yards per carry — but with the upcoming schedule featuring two rivalry games (Warrensburg and Harrisonville), the Tigers will want to rely on a balanced offensive attack for the rest of the season.

The emerging aerial attack will be on display in their homecoming game against West Central Conference foe Center High School at Jennie Jaynes Stadium at 7 p.m. on Friday.

The Yellowjackets will look to avenge last year’s 49-0 loss, but the timing couldn’t be any worse as the Tigers return to Sedalia after a three-game road trip and are geared up for the festivities.

Center, however, enters the contest riding a three-game win streak after an 0-2 start. Led by recent transfer James Tillman, who was an all-conference running back for O’Hara last year, Center’s offense has averaged 25 points a contest, while its defense has flexed its muscle by allowing a mere 14 points a game.

“They’re a much-improved football team with a new head coach who’s instilled a little bit of discipline into them. They’ve always had very good athletes. ... They’ve also got a lot of size. They’re defensive front is 260, 330, 245 (pounds), so they have weapons on both sides of the ball.”

The Yellowjackets will need to come out of the gates firing against a Tigers team that has outscored opponents 153-47 in the opening half. If their offense stumbles or falls victim to an early turnover, or their defense fails to get an opening stop, it could easily spell doom. The Tigers are looking to force the running clock for the fifth time in their last eight home contests.

UP NEXT
Matchup: Center at Smith-Cotton
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday at Jennie Jaynes Stadium
Radio: KDRO (1490 AM) and KSDL (92.3 FM)