KINGDOM CITY - Almost. Nearly. Just about. Means absolutely nothing in the win-loss column.
North Callaway gave undefeated Tipton all it could handle for the better part of three quarters Friday night, but in the end the state-ranked Cardinals - more specifically, junior running back Dallas Peoples - eluded the Thunderbirds' grasp.
Peoples punished North Callaway's defense for 262 yards rushing and four scores, as well as a touchdown catch, and Tipton eventually swatted down the Thunderbirds' upset bid in pulling away for a 50-26 victory.
The Cardinals - ranked No. 3 in Class 1 - are now 5-0 after Friday night's victory. Tipton has not lost a regular-season game since dropping its 2006 opener.