To win the program's first SEMO North Conference title in over a decade, the Poplar Bluff football team must first win in a place it never has before -- ever.
A win Friday night at Cape Central would be the first for the Mules in their fourth trip since the Tigers moved onto their campus in 2011.
This group of Mules, led by 22 seniors, seems to have the demeanor to do it.
"They're quiet before the game, not a bunch of rah-rah stuff," Poplar Bluff coach Mark Barousse said of his team. "They seem to come out and take care of business. Playing three years, they know what to do."
In their first road trip of the season, a 50-21 win at Farmington, the Mules (4-0, 1-0 SEMO North) were all business, scoring 12 seconds after kickoff and building a comfortable 29-point lead.
The Tigers (3-1, 1-1) needed a last-second touchdown to edge Farmington 40-35 two weeks ago at home and were upended at Sikeston 28-19 last week.
That leaves just the Mules and Jackson unbeaten in conference play with the Indians scheduled to play Friday at Farmington before a meeting at Poplar Bluff next week.
First, the Mules must take care of business in Cape Girardeau where they last won in 2008 at Houck Stadium. They ended a six-year losing skid against the Tigers in a 36-34 thriller last year at Mules Stadium.
Central returns just one starter on offense and four on defense from a team that reached the MSHSAA Class 4 quarterfinal for the fourth straight year. That one returning offensive starter, however, is All-SEMO North running back Aaron Harris.
After rushing for 1,500 yards last year, the 6-foot, 215-pound senior is on pace for another 1,000-yard season. Harris is averaging 6.6 yards per carry and has three touchdowns.
Last year against the Mules, Harris ran for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
"Got to stop Harris -- No. 1 priority," Barousse said. "We've got to know where he's at."
Last week, Sikeston held Harris to 45 yards on 13 carries as the Tigers gained 61 rushing yards. Harris ran for 165 yards in nearly as many attempts the previous week against Farmington, also catching a last-second 41-yard touchdown pass.
As a team, the Tigers are averaging 5.3 yards per run while quarterback Cameron Cox has completed 60 percent of his passes for 608 yards. The 5-9, 155-pound sophomore has thrown five touchdowns and five interceptions, one in each of the last two games against conference opponents.
Austin Parker (6-4, 195) and Joseph Baker (5-11, 180) are the top targets for Cox who is protected by an offensive line averaging 247 pounds.
Central's 3-4 defense is led by Harris at middle linebacker after a 100-tackle season as a junior. Matt Nuessbaum also returns at linebacker for the Tigers after an All-SEMO North junior year last fall.
The Tigers have allowed 27.3 points per game this season. In the past two games, opponents have averaged 167.5 passing yards and ran for 155.
Poplar Bluff, meanwhile, is averaging 41.0 points a game -- on pace to match last year's record-breaking offense -- and outscored opponents 130-22 in the first half alone.
Barousse sees room for improvement.
"Still not playing fast enough on offense for my liking," Barousse said. "Plays need to develop faster. ...We need to get sharper and crisper on that part of the game."
The Mules improved to 61-5 when holding an opponent to 21 points or less under Barousse after winning at Farmington last week.
Poplar Bluff continued to force turnovers with two interceptions by Tyson Cox for a second straight week while Myanza McCain picked off his second pass in as many games. Eight different players have recovered a fumble for the Mules who have scored 61 points off turnovers.
"When you're playing well on defense it's easier to take shots on offense," Barousse said. "As long as you keep the offense on the field, keep pressure on people, you have a chance to make plays."