Football: Poplar Bluff at Cape Central

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com

The Cape Central Tigers advanced to the Class 5 District 1 finals with a 28-21 win over Poplar Bluff in the semifinal round on Friday, Nov. 8. The win marks Cape Central's third consecutive district finals appearance.

A Cape Central cheerleader during pregame introductions on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
The Cape Central Tigers get ready to walk onto the field pregame against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central senior Kameron Bird gets hyped up before the district semifinal game against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central running back Keyshawn Boyd returns against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. The all-state running back missed the past two games with an injury. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central senior Zai'Aire "Zip" Thomas signals a first down after a big run against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central junior Keyshawn Boyd scores a rushing touchdown against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Poplar Bluff sophomore Xzavir Jones fights off Cape Central defender Jonah Brink on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central defensive lineman Joe Coonts hypes up the Tiger sideline on a third down against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central sophomore De'Sergion Reed with a sack on Poplar Bluff quarterback Jay Edmundson on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Poplar Bluff quarterback Jay Edmundson gets set for the snap against Cape Central on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central junior Keyshawn Boyd bounces his run to the outside against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. Boyd finished with over 100 rushing yards on the night. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central defenders Shawn Shelton (No. 51) and Matayo Rivers (No. 6) tackle Poplar Bluff wide receiver Xzavir Jones on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central senior Zai'Aire Thomas celebrates with his Tiger teammates following a rushing touchdown against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central defensive coordinator Rich Payne on the sideline against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Poplar Bluff quarterback Jay Edmundson during second-half warmups on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central senior Cole Geiser on the bench following a defensive drive against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central quarterback Deklin Pittman scampers out of bounds against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central head coach Kent Gibbs looks at his play sheet on the sideline against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central defensive end Cartez Hopkins anticipates the snap against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central running back Zai'Aire Thomas cuts back past a Poplar Bluff defender on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central running back Keyshawn Boyd rumbles out of bounds against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central senior Zai'Aire Thomas gets fired up following a rushing touchdown to make it 28-14 over Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central safety Gavin Pittman hits Poplar Bluff quarterback Jay Edmundson on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central running back Keyshawn Boyd bounces his run to the outside against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central cornerback Matayo Rivers celebrates with his Tiger teammates following a huge pass breakup against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central punter Garrett Snider boots the ball away against Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Poplar Bluff wide receiver Xzavir Jones breaks loose for a 65-yard reception against the Cape Central defense on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)
Cape Central quarterback Deklin Pittman takes the final kneel down to cement a 28-21 district semifinal win over Poplar Bluff on Friday, Nov. 8. (Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com)