The DeSoto Dragons will look to defend their home field on Friday against the Central Tigers at 7:00 p.m. DeSoto is coming into the game on a six-game losing streak.
DeSoto fell victim to Hillsboro's stalwart defense on Friday and couldn't make it onto the board. They had to suffer through a rough 42-0 loss at the hands of the Hawks. The defeat unfortunately continues a disappointing trend for DeSoto in their matchups with Hillsboro: they've now lost five in a row.
Meanwhile, everything came up roses for Central on the road against Sikeston two Fridays ago as the team secured a 48-8 victory. Given Central's advantage in MaxPreps' Missouri football rankings (they are ranked 82nd, while Sikeston is ranked 241st), the result wasn't exactly an upset.
Central's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Zai'aire Thomas, who rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns on only 13 carries, and Keyshawn Boyd, who rushed for 177 yards and three touchdowns on only ten carries. Boyd's longest rush was for an incredible 80 yards.
DeSoto's loss was their eighth straight on the road (dating back to last season), which dropped their overall record down to 2-6. That rough patch could be blamed on the team's offensive performance across that stretch, as they only averaged 5.75 points per game. As for Central, they now have a winning record of 4-3.
DeSoto was taken down by Central 56-7 when the teams last played back in October of 2022. Can DeSoto avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
