MOKANE - Do the math.
Going by the numbers, the state-ranked and undefeated South Callaway Bulldogs will be a formidable favorite when they host the winless Knob Noster Panthers tonight in the Class 2, District 7 quarterfinals. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
South Callaway (9-0), ranked No. 3 in Class 2, averages more points per game (59.1) than Knob Noster's entire output (40) this season. The Panthers (0-9) - who have been shut out six times - have also been outscored by the Bulldogs' ferocious defense, which has tallied a remarkable 48 points.
Even South Callaway's offensive machine surpassed Knob Noster's sum with a 42-point outburst in the second quarter alone in the Bulldogs' 66-6 rampage at home Sept. 26 against North Callaway.
Even with all of those figures laid out, South Callaway head coach Tim Rulo will caution his players that a victory tonight is certainly not guaranteed.
"Being confident is OK, but you have to keep a level head," Rulo said. "We're at home, but it's still a business trip. We're going to have to go and take care of business, then we'll go from there."
"We'll put on the suit, go to work, bring the lunch pail - whatever you want to call it. ... That's the mentality from here on out. We're going to do what we do, do it the best we can, and do it better than the other teams think we can."
As long as it handles its affairs, South Callaway will get to stay home through the duration of the district playoffs after trading places with No. 7-ranked Lafayette County (9-0) and taking over the top seed. The Bulldogs moved up to No. 1 based on strength of schedule when Southern Boone - which South Callaway beat earlier this season - defeated Eldon, while Boonville - which had previously bowed to Lafayette County - lost to Marshall.
Not only will the Bulldogs benefit from not having to travel, but any bad weather should also not have as much of an influence given South Callaway's FieldTurf surface.
"There's definitely more - maybe, per se - pressure, because if you don't take care of business, you go home," Rulo added. "We still have to go and play Bulldog football, do the things we do and prepare for the teams every week, just like we normally do."
Knob Noster, meanwhile, has been in an ongoing state of flux. Matt Klein is the Panthers' fifth head coach in as many years.
Rulo explained the football program's instability could be blamed on the "transient" population in Knob Noster, due to the town's close proximity to Whiteman Air Force Base.
"You have people moving in and out, just that military lifestyle," Rulo said. "... When you're moving that many kids in and out, that's challenging, and they do have athletes."
In scrutinizing game film, Rulo noted the Panthers run a spread offense and usually empty the backfield with some configuration of four- and five-receiver sets. Senior Logan Lawber (5-foot-10, 160 pounds) is Knob Noster's quarterback, and his main targets are senior Jonathan Waller and sophomores Matt Walsh and Clarence Valelo.
South Callaway's defense has 14 sacks on the season, topped by junior linebacker Dillon Stone's 4.5. The Bulldogs also have 11 interceptions, with senior linebacker Dylan Hare and senior cornerback Troy Hentges leading the way with three apiece. Hare has returned two of his picks for touchdowns.
Rulo stressed South Callaway will concentrate on confining the Panthers' skill players when they get the ball in openings.
"When they spread you out, you have to make sure you're doing a great job of tackling in space," Rulo said. "... We try to control the ball carrier, pin and corral him in, so we really need to make sure we take care of that.
"If they do get the ball out in space, average athletes can look pretty good ... if it's one-on-one. If we can get all of our guys to the football, that's going to be key."
Rulo commented Knob Noster likes to blitz on defense, utilizing four down linemen and three or four linebackers it shuffles to different locations. The Panthers are led on that side of the ball by senior defensive end Cody Sellers (6-0, 200) and senior defensive tackle Jake Andrews (6-2, 208).
The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by an impressive 230-0 margin in the first quarter this season. Rulo would like to see his squad make another convincing statement from the start tonight.
"This is a game where you would like to go and take care of business early and often," Rulo said. "We want to make sure we set the tone and send a message."
In tonight's other District 7 games, No. 2 seed Lafayette County is at home against No. 7 Holden (5-4), No. 3 St. Paul Lutheran: Concordia (9-0) hosts No. 6 Cole Camp (8-1), and No. 4 Hallsville (7-2) plays a home matchup against No. 5 Father Tolton (8-1).