Maybe it’s the anticipation in the air, the booming band music or the feeling of community camaraderie, but there’s something special about a football game.

If you’ve never spent an autumn Friday night cheering with other fans each time the home team crosses the goal line or sacks the other team’s quarterback, you’re missing out. In Cape Girardeau, two teams present football action: Cape Central Tigers and Southeast Redhawks.

Cape Central brings traditional high school football. It’s your chance to see up-and-comers who just might make it big one day. This season is focused on rebuilding after a losing season in 2018. Kent Gibbs just joined the staff as head coach, bringing a wealth of experience from leading other Southeast Missouri football programs.

The game plan is changing a bit for the Tigers, with more of a focus on running the ball. Senior quarterback Cameron Cox serves as a team leader, helping with the transition. Under Coach Gibbs’ leadership, the offensive line, including senior Nolan Ewers, will also play a more crucial role this season, hopefully leading their team to victory.

Check out the varsity and junior varsity schedules to find out when you can cheer the Tigers on.

College football comes to Cape Girardeau via the Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks. They’re entering the 2019 season at the top of their game, after boasting a 9-4 record, second place in the Ohio Valley Conference and a trip to the NCAA FCS playoffs in 2018.

With Coach Tom Matukewicz and Zach Hall (2018 Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Buck Buchanan National Defensive Player of the Year) returning for 2019, this season is set to be another winner. In fact, the Redhawks have been ranked 18^th in the American Football Coaches Association preseason poll.

The homecoming game is set for Saturday, Oct. 26 against UT Martin. See the Redhawks’ full schedule.

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