TIPTON - The Tipton Cardinals face a tough matchup tonight as they get ready to face the Windsor Greyhounds.
Windsor (7-0), one of five undefeated teams left in Class 1 and No. 4 in this week's Missouri Media Rankings, is coming off of a 43-3 win against Cole Camp. Last week, Tipton (3-4) fell 48-28 to Slater.
Tipton coach Tony Braby said the Cardinals tend to play well against Windsor. To continue that trend, the Cardinals will have to play some of their best football of the season.
"They beat us last year but we were able to move the ball on them and we kept the score fairly decent," Braby said. "We normally play them good, play them tough, and we are hoping that we execute and don't beat ourselves."
Braby said the Cardinals need to cut down on their penalties, a problem in the loss to Slater, as well as avoiding turnovers.
"We are hoping that we play a very smart game and that we can string together some first downs and keep the football out of (Windsor's) hands," he said.
Windsor is averaging 42.4 points per game this season.
On the defensive side, the Greyhounds are allowing opponents an average of seven points per contest.
Windsor's defense is allowing just seven points per game this season, with the most being 20 in a 16-point win to start the season against Crest Ridge. The Greyhounds have three shutouts.
Braby said he does not know if Windsor has not played a lot of teams that try to do the things Tipton runs on offense.
"I know we are wanting to run the option a lot more," he said. "We did more of it last week, and little by little, we are adding the option game which really helped us get the numbers on the edge and we are typically a sweep, using our speed to get to the outside but the option takes one of their players out of the defense. If we can block well on the perimeter with our option game I think we can have a good game."
"We really want to come out with the option and the sweep and then hopefully we can do some things up the middle as well and throw the ball. We got to let it all hang out against them, don't hold anything back and throw everything at them even the kitchen sink."
Braby said Tipton has to be disciplined on the defensive side.
"(Windsor) runs the ball two to three times in a row and the next thing you know they are throwing deep trying to get behind you," he said. "Our defensive backs have to pay attention to the receivers and watch if they are blocking or running their routes. We can't fall asleep and we have to be expect the unexpected. Our kids are going to have to do their jobs and do it well and try not to ad-lib."
Game time is 7 p.m. at Tipton.