Tigers look to continue dominance over MC

In two games between the Macon Tigers and Monroe City Panthers in 2011, the Tigers held Monroe to just seven points in eight quarters of play.

The Panthers did help Macon out come playoff time, as Monroe City claimed a Regional win in Centralia to knock out the District champion Panthers.

This time around, the Tigers will have to do things on their own, as they left Monroe behind in their jump to Class 3.

The Panthers finished the 2011 season with a record of 7-5, including wins over three playoff teams: Centralia, Louisiana and South Shelby. They will have plenty of momentum going into the 2012 season.

Macon's defense was able to bottle up the tough Panther offensive plan twice in 2011, but there may be a few more points scored this time.

Monroe City head coach Tony DeGrave has a large number of lettermen coming back for 2012.

Some key returners will be a pair of seniors in wingback and linebacker Blake Grice and fullback slash linebacker Tyler Heatheriton.

Other returners include Kyle Fulton at wideout, safety and kicker, Codi Douse at lineman and a tackle, and Michael Hays at wide out and defensive back.

Following the departure of QB Blake Rodgers, the Panthers will have a new signal-caller, and coach DeGrave will look to junior Grant O'Bryan to step up.

O'Bryan will also see some action at the safety position on the defensive side of the ball.

Kenny Smithey will be a wingback on offense and a defensive back on "D."

Monroe will also have a new center in Caleb Fuller.

On offense, the Panthers will be running the wing-T formation, while lining up in a three-man front on defense.

Overall, the Panthers averaged nearly the same amount of points with the ball as they did on defense, at around 21 points per game.

Macon scored 30 points in the regular season meeting, but had the potential for much more.

The Tigers posted 31 points againt the Panthers in the Sectional game at Lankford Field.

Comparing what the two teams have done so far in 2012, the host Macon Tigers stand at 1-1, both overall and in the CCC, while Monroe City comes in winless at 0-2 overall and in the CCC.

In week one, the Tigers drove down the field in the waning moments, kicking the winning field goal to top Palmyra 24-22.

For Monroe City, they played host to the state-ranked Clark County Indians, and were bombarded by the score of 36-7.

In week two, both teams played in the pouring rain, and both come up short.

The Tigers faced off against their archrivals, the Cardinals of South Shelby, and would be shut out by the score of 14-0.

Monroe City played their second home game in a row against the upstart Mark Twain Tigers, and fall by the count of 26-7.

Looking ahead on the schedule, the Tigers will hit the road on the 14th for the long trip to Kahoka to take on the state-ranked Indians.

Monroe City will play its second road game on the 14th in Brookfield against the always tough Bulldogs at Burlington Field.

Both teams are in the rebuilding phase this year, but both have the potential to do well this season and make the playoffs in their respective classes.

This one will be quite interesting. Come on out to Hugh Dunn Field Friday night to watch the action.