Tipton looks to build off opening victory in game against North Callaway

Austin Pace of Tipton tries to break away from a North Callaway defender during a game last season in Tipton. Tipton and North Callaway will meet tonight in Kingdom City.
Austin Pace of Tipton tries to break away from a North Callaway defender during a game last season in Tipton. Tipton and North Callaway will meet tonight in Kingdom City.

TIPTON - It could be the start of a winning streak.

After defeating St. Paul Lutheran: Concordia 41-12, the Tipton Cardinals are looking for their second straight win as they travel to Kingdom City to take on the North Callaway Thunderbirds.

North Callaway (0-1) fell 40-8 last week at Lincoln, the No. 1 team in this week's Class 1 Missouri Media Rankings.

Tipton head coach Toby Braby felt last week the Cardinals did a good job of mixing up the plays on offense against St. Paul Lutheran.

"Everything from our inside run to outside run to passing really kept the defense guessing as far as what we were going to do," he said. "That puts a little bit more pressure on the defensive coordinator. We executed real well."

Braby said their passing attempts and completions where very high in the game. The team also had two running backs rush for more than 100 yards and another had added 50 yards rushing and could have more if it were not for penalties.

"We were very well rounded in our running game and passing game," Braby said. "That was a big part of our success."

Special teams got some work during practice this week, Tipton gave up one kick return for a touchdown in the game and Braby said that is something the team needs to work on.

"It was just a matter of kids being too aggressive," Braby said. "That is something we can correct."

Braby said there are always things to work on.

"You look at the big picture and you go 'hey we played really well' but when you start looking at the film we could have done better in our route running," Braby said. "Protection of the quarterback so we could use some more work on pass protection with the linemen."

Braby said that special team would be a big part going into this week.

Heading into this week's game, Braby said North Callaway is a big, physical team. North Callaway also likes to run the ball.

"Which is typical of North Callaway," Brady said. "They are very run oriented and they will throw a pass every once in a while when you start concentrating too much on the run game then they will slip out the backs out in the flat and the tight ends will release deep.

"So you got to hope that the secondary coverage is not paying too much attention to the run. Their first obligation has to be in back peddling and dropping at the snap. Their job is pass first and run second and we can't have it the other way or they will get behind us."

When the Cardinals are on offense, Braby said the team is hoping they can spread the defense out as North Callaway likes to keep plenty of players in the box.

"Hopefully that will open up the run," he said. "We like to throw first and run second compared to the other way around."

Game time is 7 p.m.