Poplar Bluff football runs over Cape Central

By Brian Rosener - Daily American Republic

Friday, October 2, 2009

Cape Central's James Poindexer (7) breaks a tackle during the first half Friday night, Oct. 2, 2009, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Paul Davis)

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff needed a little over 16 minutes to produce another big win Friday night as Zach Ferguson broke the career touchdown mark.

Ferguson scored three times as the Mules beat visiting Cape Central 51-12 in a SEMO North Conference game.

"He's unreal," Mules coach Shane Kearbey said of Ferguson. "Any time you get it in his hands, you don't know what can happen."

Ferguson ran for 108 yards and returned the kickoff at the start of the second half for his 46th career touchdown, breaking Austin Tinsley's mark set in 1991. Ferguson had touchdown runs of 63 and 23 yards, as the Mules (4-2, 1-0 SEMO) won their third straight.

Brandon Pickens led the Tigers (0-6, 0-2) with 216 rushing yards on 23 carries but the Central defense gave up eight plays of 20 or more yards.

"You can't allow big plays," Central coach Rich Payne said. "We allowed way too many big plays, early and often."

Poplar Bluff scored on its first snap when senior Eljie Johnson broke a 57-yard run to the right side. Poplar Bluff led 7-0 following Chance Berry's kick just 2:22 into the game.

The Mules punted just once with 1:43 left in the fourth quarter and scored on their first four drives. The first half ended with quarterback Zach McAnulty's pass falling incomplete in the end zone to end one drive while Central recovered a fumble in the third quarter to end another.

Cape Central's Brandon Pickens (25) stiff-arms Poplar Bluff's Kerey Smith during a SEMO North Conference game Friday night, Oct. 2, 2009, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Paul Davis)

McAnulty's 1-yard dive put the Mules ahead 13-0 with 4:10 left in the first quarter. He later hit Jake Smith for a 7-yard touchdown pass to put Poplar Bluff up 19-0 with 10:11 remaining in the half.

Central answered with a 15-play, 67-yard scoring drive. The Tigers converted a third-and-9 at the Poplar Bluff 25 and later moved the chains on a fourth-and-9 thanks to pass interference call. Terrance Howard scored three plays later on a 2-yard run with 3:57 left in the half.

The Mules needed about 100 seconds to answer, scoring on Ferguson's 63-yard run to go up 25-6.

"When you give up huge chunks of yardage, 50-70 yards, that's got to break your back," Payne said. "I don't care who you're playing or when you're playing at what level, it doesn't matter."

At the start of the second half, Central was penalized 15 yards on the kickoff for returning late from the locker room. Josh Freeman caught the kick, faked a handoff before giving the ball to Ferguson, who streaked down the left sideline for the record-breaking score.

Central, which had four turnovers, fumbled and Bluff's David Lewis recovered setting up Ferguson 23-yard touchdown run with 10 minutes left in the third quarter. McAnulty added a 67-yard screen pass to Johnson for a touchdown and a 45-6 lead with 4:52 left in the third.

The Tigers marched 61 yards on 10 plays, scoring on Pickens' 6-yard run to cut Bluff's lead to 45-12 with 10:31 left in the game.

Poplar Bluff scored 15 seconds later on Pete Bryant's 54-yard run to set the final score.

Johnson ran for 95 yards on nine carries while Bryant added 81 yards on four attempts for the Mules. McAnulty completed 7-of-10 passes for 167 yards including two touchdowns.

Central had 103 yards in the first half while the Mules produced 295.

"It's nothing we're calling special, it's just these kids are special," Kearbey said. "They can make some things happen."

Cape Central 0 6 0 6 -- 12

Poplar Bluff 13 12 20 6 -- 51

First Quarter

PB -- Johnson 57 run (Berry kick), 9:38.

PB -- McAnulty 1 run (kick fail), 4:10.

Second Quarter

PB -- J.Smith 7 pass from McAnulty (kick fail), 10:11.

CC -- Howard 2 run (pass fail), 3:57.

PB -- Ferguson 63 run (pass fail), 2:18.

Third Quarter

PB -- Ferguson 77 kick return (Berry kick), 11:47.

PB -- Ferguson 23 run (kick fail), 10:00.

PB -- Johnson 67 pass from McAnulty (Berry kick), 4:52.

Fourth Quarter

CC -- Pickens 6 run (run fail), 10:31.

PB -- Bryant 54 run (kick fail), 10:16.

PB CC

First downs 10 16

Total yards 487 296

Rushes-yds. 30-308 43-241

Passing yds. 179 55

Punt returns 0 -2

Kickoff returns 77 198

Interception returns 0 0

Comp-Att-Int. 8-11-0 5-14-1

Sacked-yds. lost 1-4 3-17

Punts-Avg. yds. 1-32 3-27.0

Fumbles-lost 1-1 3-3

Penalties-yds. 10-62 4-40

Time of possession 16:16 31:44

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Poplar Bluff, Ferguson 7-108. Johnson 9-95. Bryant 4-81. Whitfield 6-18. McAnulty 4-6. Cape Central, Pickens 26-216. Poindexter 2-14. Moore 2-9. Howard 3-8. Woldtvedt 1-4. Williams 3-(-3). Cavaness 1-(-3). Jenkins 2-(-4). Team 3-1.

PASSING -- Poplar Bluff, McAnulty 7-10-0 167. Coble 1-1-0 12. Cape Central, Williams 4-9-1 47. Cavaness 1-3-0 8.

RECEIVING -- Poplar Bluff, Johnson 1-67. Ferguson 3-60. Coble 1-24. J.Smith 2-16. Shrum 1-12. Cape Central, Boerboom 2-19. Moore 1-12. Casasola 1-21. Howard 1-3.

Comments

View 25 comments

Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

Williams, 4 of 9 for 47 yards & one pick. It is quite obvious this kid is not a quarterback. His stats are telling. Find a spot where he can contribute and try someone else. I feel so bad that these boys are enduring yet another disastrous season as the result of a clueless coach and inept staff.

-- Posted by tigerfan87 on Sat, Oct 3, 2009, at 10:17 AM
PLEASE make it stop!! No more, No more!!

-- Posted by crackerjack on Sat, Oct 3, 2009, at 12:18 PM
Cape Central will be back. We had a nice run when I was there but talent comes in waves in high school. You can't recruit. Cape Central isn't a private school. People are so quick to blame the coaches for everything. Coaches can only call the plays. They're an idiot if it doesn't work but praised if it does. It's a double-edged sword. I don't care if I have to come back and coach myself. CT will be back. Just keep being a fan and don't turn into soembody that makes things worse.Fans were spoiled when we all were there. Me, Monroe, twiggs, craft, J. Dukes. Times change. I mean when did farmington get good? Its goes in waves

-- Posted by Mizzou36 on Sat, Oct 3, 2009, at 8:57 PM
Central has talented players that were successful in Jr. High and as Freshman and who are now losing every game. The problem or issue is what goes wrong at varsity level play at Central. The serious football players might need to go elsewhere to have a better oppurtunity to play college ball.

-- Posted by what is really going on on Sat, Oct 3, 2009, at 10:54 PM
Comments made after articles written about Cape Central have a much more negative tone than the comments made after articles written about Jackson. Both teams have identical records this year.

The players read these comments and there play is affected by what is written. Think about that next time you consider posting another negative comment.

-- Posted by Roboroni on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 12:17 AM
Hey "What is really going on". Are you a coach? Did you ever play sports at any level? My guess is you did not. You seem to have all the answers. Well, let's see it then. Go coach a team, any team and then come back and tell us how you did. I bet you get stomped for the first couple of years. Well, Coach Payne is in his second year and you are calling for his resignation. You cannot do the job he has done. Get a life and quit the negative comments. District play is coming up and we still have a chance to win. We could lose every game up to district play and still win. Be positive for the players.

-- Posted by Roboroni on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 12:39 AM
Hey Tiger Fan 87 your inept and clueless. You feel bad for nothing. If you truly want to help, then be positive.

-- Posted by Roboroni on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 12:46 AM
I have an opinion. How about you quit giving me advice and giving me suggestions and face the facts or face what is seen on Thursday or Friday nights at a Central game.

-- Posted by what is really going on on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 9:32 AM
I agree with you Rob on a couple points...its always important to stay positive...but reality bites sometimes. Secondly, youre also right...Jackson deserves a whole lot more bashing than people give them...money wasted this summer to learn a new offense tailored to their QB, who cant make a simple pass....what a waste!! Coaching staff that looks disinterested, old, and tired...time for a change!!! Poor decision to change their offense...and everybody looks for excuses like ohhh look at their schedule...stop making excuses Jackson fans and hold your coaches accountable for everything...its ok to disagree with the good ol boys!!! Maybe Hitt was a good Asst. coach...but that doesnt mean he can be a head man...ask questions, criticize, call his office to find out why a play was called or your kid is not playing enough...dont accept the status quo...or it perpetuates. Stay positive for the kids sake...

-- Posted by RedShirt on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 10:48 AM
"what is really going on"----I have a child in the senior class this year and they have never been successful in anything when it comes to sports...They just aren't very talented as a "group of athletes"..They are good kids but just not athletically..There are a few good athletes but not enough to play football at a 5A level..Look at the other fall sports and you will see that it isn't just football..Central will be back like Mizzou36 says but it is very painful to watch.....The 8th grade team this year is 3 and 0 and has outscored opponents 113 to 6 and the 6 was on the last play of the game against scott city with the 3rd string defense. They will also have a strong soccer team..Patience is a virtue

-- Posted by crackerjack on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 11:00 AM
I have an opinion, I will stop giving you advice and suggestions when you say something positive for these players.

-- Posted by Roboroni on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 1:34 PM
I did not write anything negative about the players. Guess you can't read like you don't see the problem with Cental's football program.

-- Posted by what is really going on on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 1:45 PM
Roboroni...Coach Williams is that you??

-- Posted by tigerfan87 on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 2:49 PM
I think most of you need to get a life. You are talking about high school football. These kids are 15 - 18 year old boys, not professional. You should worry what kind of world you are giving to these boys. Why don't you give them a example and grow up.

-- Posted by wonderboy on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 6:44 PM
Well said Wonderboy, well said!!!

-- Posted by Roboroni on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 9:50 PM
Any comment either positive or negative affects the team that it is directed to. This goes for any part of the team and at any level.

-- Posted by Roboroni on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 10:00 PM
Once again like I said they'll be back. It is painful to watch but Cape Central is in my blood so I'm always gonna keep up with them and root for them. It is painful to watch but You gotta have faith. It's very rare for highschool teams to be good year in and year out. CT will be back or like I said I'll coach them my self

-- Posted by Mizzou36 on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 11:01 PM
Way to go team!!!!! Keep up the good work! You're on the right track.

-Rob- is this what were supposed to be writing? I mean come on. I'm not going to be negative toward any kid and I'm not going to call for players to be removed from their position. But come on....if the players are getting on here and getting their feelings hurt. Then no one in their lives is being honest with them.

Maybe that is part of the problem. Maybe they need some honesty: THEY AREN"T PLAYING WELL ENOUGH TO WIN. I mean that in no way negative toward any individual or toward the offense or defense, but that is the truth. If no one is telling them that then coaching has sure changed since the days when I played. We were told over and over what we had to do to win and what we were doing to cause us to lose. That's what I thought coaching was, showing players how to win and teaching them what they are doing wrong. It doesn't seem that this is happening. And if the players read the newspaper and get their feelings hurt then I know it isn't happening, if they are surprised to learn the their performance (not their effort) wasn't great.

It isn't always the most talented team who wins. Sometimes it is the smartest team. Sometimes it is the most physically fit team. Sometimes it is the lucky team. At the same time there are many, many different ways to win a football game. It is on the coaches to find some combination of this that fits their team the best and then practice, train, and game plan toward that. On game nights all any fan wants to see is the best their team has to offer. Many times that may mean they walk off the field haven been beaten but as long as it was the best they had to give, I believe, every fan would be proud.

-- Posted by oldtiger on Mon, Oct 5, 2009, at 10:37 AM
Coaching has to be discussed. The team DOES NOT tackle well. This is a reflection on coaching basic football skills in practice.

Somewhere Coach Levy is dying to deliver a halftime address to a group of kids in need of a fearless leader.

-- Posted by stlillinijj on Mon, Oct 5, 2009, at 11:07 AM
tigerfan87 were you even at the game? He played with a concussion for most of the 2nd quarter and all of the 2nd half. "Wonderboy" played 2 min. of the 2nd quarter and part of the 3rd quarter until he pulled a muscle and had 3 fumbles. Not such a great showing for "Wonderboy" as everyone thinks he's capable of.

-- Posted by tigersupporter99 on Mon, Oct 5, 2009, at 11:56 AM
Not to mention....

The coaches didn't know they needed to be back on the field? I'm am sure there was plenty to talk about during half time. And they obviously used the extra time wisely, that show in the great turnaround that came about in the second half.

Sorry if this seems negative. But I can take getting beat but being embarrassed week in and week out. There are obviously some major problems.

- I could not agree more with the comment earlier that these boy need to be in the weight room year round. The successful teams in the past paved the way to wins in the weight room in the summer. It may not be as much fun as vacations but the coaches and the kids need to be there, and if they wanted to win they would be.

-- Posted by oldtiger on Mon, Oct 5, 2009, at 2:50 PM
I am not a fan of these blogs for one reason, no one wants to take ownership of their comments. But now I am responding because I assume that tigersupporter99 is referring to Cavaness #8 as "Wonderboy". I'm sure we heard some of the same comments from the same person in the stands Friday night. It's hard to believe this blog was originated for name calling and I would not respond to this but for one exception, I am the proud grandparent of #8 Christian Cavaness so "Wonderboy" fits as well as "saviour" in my opinion. I am not here to bash anyone but support my grandson. Let's be a positive effect on the players and the team as a whole not name calling children.

-- Posted by Ron Hess on Mon, Oct 5, 2009, at 7:47 PM
I was told by a friend that there was a whole lotta "ugly" going on regarding the blog in the newspaper. After checking this website, I must say I am embarrassed. Is this really written by "fans" of CHS?? I have to guess that, with few exceptions, these comments could only be written by young, immature children whose parents haven't had a chance to tell them about team sports. You know......how they stand together; support each other; work hard together; remain loyal to each other as they try to fix problems. I can promise you that not a single player or coach gets ready to take the field and says, "I am going to try NOT to do a good job tonight."

I graduated from CHS in 1976, and I remain a fan for my alma mater. I respectfully ask each of you to vent your anger elsewhere.......if you must.

-- Posted by tblattner on Tue, Oct 6, 2009, at 4:42 PM
Mr Hess, Well said!! We also heard the remarks in the stands on Friday night!! It indeed showed that persons "true colors" as a vindictive jealous parent. Come on people act like adults !!!

-- Posted by Jim P on Wed, Oct 7, 2009, at 8:12 AM
I meant no disrespect to the Williams kid and if it was construed as such, then I owe an apology. I am just saying that, concussion on Friday or not, his season stats reflect the possibly he is playing the wrong position. The frustration for me is wanting these kids to have a positive experience to look back on. Yes, it is 'only' high school football, but only someone who never played or had a kid playing would be so dismissive of what can be a very gratifying time in these boys lives. Most, if not all, will not go on to play at a higher level. It may be 'only' football to some non-sports minded people, but this game can teach them a great deal about life, always being prepared, and working harder than anyone else to be successful. They need and I know they want leadership that can at least prepare them to compete. Again, any disrespect that was construed as being directed at any of these young men was unintentional.

-- Posted by tigerfan87 on Wed, Oct 7, 2009, at 8:52 AM

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration:

If you already have an account, follow this link to login
Otherwise, follow this link to register