A look at this week's high school football games

St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer tries to fire up his team near the end of the first half Friday. The Indians will play Hayti today for the district title. (Fred Lynch) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Last week: Rockwood Summit 7, Jackson 3; Eureka 43, Central 0

Last year: Jackson 27, Central 14

Outlook: For a game with nothing of real consequence -- conference or playoffs -- riding on it, this game has a lot at stake. It's not every day archrivals meet with a collective record of 0-18 in a season-ending game.

"It's a meaningful game because a lot of pride is at stake in this game, especially for seniors," Jackson coach Van Hitt said. "It's a total pride game. Last week we still had a chance to make the playoffs. But this time, when it's over, we're done and they're done."

The football rivalry dates back to 1914 and has 103 games in the book, but one like this has not occurred. Jackson never has gone 0-10 in its 115-year history, while Central has not posted such a record since 1983.

"We've had some lean years and they've had some lean years, but I can't remember when both were this lean," Hitt said.

Central coach Rich Payne said he doesn't think there's added pressure on either team to avoid a winless season.

"I think the bottom line is the kids need to come out and play hard," he said. "The biggest thing about this contest, no matter if we're both 0-9 or both 9-0 or if it's at the beginning of the season or the end of the season, the emotions will run high and you've got to keep them on a constant level throughout the contest."

Hitt said he has talked to Payne throughout the season as the teams have shared film on five common opponents. He's not particularly fond of the situation where one of the two teams will finish off a winless season for the other.

"I hate for it to happen, but I'd double hate it for us," Hitt said.

Both went 0-5 against Farmington, Sikeston, Poplar Bluff, Rockwood Summit and Eureka. Central lost by a cumulative score of 202-56 to the five schools, while Jackson fell by a cumulative 96-29. In district play, Central has been outscored 74-10 by Summit and Eureka, while Jackson lost by a combined 14-3.

Jackson has won the last six meetings with Central and nine of the last 10. However, Central leads the rivalry 55-41-6, according to Nic Antoine's recent book, "The Jackson Indians: 100 Years of Gridiron Glory."

Both teams are struggling offensively with a combined total of 13 points in their two district games. Both teams have been shut out twice this season. Central is averaging 15.6 points a game and Jackson is averaging 7.2.

Christian Cavaness and Andrew Williams both saw time at quarterback for the Tigers last week, but neither was able to generate points.

"When we played Summit, we didn't have turnovers and we played them pretty good for the most part," Payne said. "I think the biggest thing in the last couple of weeks has been the line scrimmage. That's where we need to get back to, controlling the line of scrimmage offensively and defensively and try to keep our mistakes to a minimum."

Ethan Ruch rushed for 167 yards on 26 carries against Summit, but the junior running back suffered bruised ribs and was not available on the Indians' final two possessions of the game. Hitt said he expects Ruch to play tonight.

"It'll be play by play at game time," Hitt said.

Central has several dangerous running backs, led by senior Brandon Pickens.

"The big thing for us is to get our skill kids loose," Payne said. "If we can get our skill kids out in space against their kids, I think we'll be OK because I think we have some speed that can cause them some trouble."

Hitt said disciplined defense will be a key for the Indians.

"They have as good a speed as anyone we've seen all year," Hitt said. "If they get a step on us, we won't catch them, I know that."

St. Vincent (4-5) at Hayti (6-3)

Last week: St. Vincent 16, Portageville 6; Hayti 38, Chaffee 6

Last year: Hayti 14, St. Vincent 9

Outlook: The teams will play for the district title after both secured playoff spots last week. The winner will get to host a first-round playoff game, while the loser will play on the road.

"We've seemed to hit our stride the last three, four weeks, and hopefully we can keep that going," St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer said.

In district play, both teams easily handled Chaffee but struggled against Portageville. Hayti defeated the Bulldogs 26-20 in overtime, while St. Vincent rallied with all 16 of its points in the fourth quarter for a 16-6 victory. St. Vincent running back C.J. Pavlovsky reached the 1,000-yard mark in the win. He has 1,012 yards with 10 touchdowns. Kyle Rollet continued a strong second half to the season with five receptions for 155 yards against Portageville. Rollet has seven touchdown receptions in the last five games and has 640 yards receiving on the season.

Sauer said tight end/linebacker Josh Welker will return to the field after getting injured in the fourth week.

"Hopefully that will be a little shot in the arm for us," Sauer said.

Hayti, which uses a spread offense, averaged 7.7 yards a rush against Chaffee last week as it compiled 239 yards on the ground. Hayti's top running back is Keenan Williams.

"They throw the ball pretty effectively out of [the spread] too," Sauer said. "We'll have to be disciplined and stay in our area."

Hayti has won the last two meetings after St. Vincent won the previous five.

New Madrid (6-3) at Perryville (1-8)

Last week: New Madrid 45, Kennett 18; Dexter 41, Perryville 0

Last year: New Madrid 34, Perryville 0

Outlook: Perryville's playoff hopes are on the ropes. The Pirates picked up their only win during the first week of district play, but last week's pounding by Dexter put their playoff destiny in the hand of others. Not only does Perryville need a win tonight against the 6-3 Eagles, but it also needs Kennett to knock off Dexter. And that might not be enough, as a point differential also needs to be met.

Perryville's shutout loss last week was its third of the season, and the Pirates have been outscored 289-36 this season.

New Madrid has won the last four meetings with Perryville.

Chaffee (1-7) at Portageville (3-6)

Last week: Hayti 38, Chaffee 6; St. Vincent 16, Portageville 6

Last year: Chaffee 43, Portageville 0

Outlook: Both teams are 0-2 in the district after being eliminated from playoff contention last week. St. Vincent and Hayti will represent the district in the Class 1 playoffs. Chaffee has lost eight straight games after its season-opening win against Grandview.

"We'd like our seniors to go out with a win and our young guys to basically start next season with a win," Chaffee coach Charlie Vickery said. "It's an important game for us and for our program."

The Red Devils have been outscored 247-62, including 78-18 in the district. Portageville had strong chances to win both its district games. It lost in overtime to Hayti and lost a fourth-quarter lead to St. Vincent. Those close losses reflect an upgrade in play for a team that broke a 32-game losing streak in the second week of the season.

"They've really improved a lot and are a big-play team, which we've had problems with and will hopefully do better at," Vickery said.

Chaffee has won the last three meetings after snapping a six-year losing streak to Portageville.

Scott City (2-7) at St. Pius (1-8)

Last week: Crystal City 54, Scott City 21; Grandview 26, St. Pius 13

Last year: St. Pius 28, Scott City 22

Outlook: Both teams are 0-2 in the district after being eliminated from playoff contention last week. Crystal City and Grandview will represent the district in the Class 2 playoffs.

Rams junior running back Garett Schaefer went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark in last week's loss and has 1,026 yards on the season. Schaefer is averaging 6.1 yards a carry. Brandon DeProw also topped 100 yards rushing for the Rams last week.

"We want to send our seniors out on a winning note and build for next year," Scott City coach Jim May said. "It'll be a lot easier going into the offseason with a win. It's an important game for us."

St. Pius has lost five straight games. Both teams own a win against Chaffee and lost to Crystal City and Grandview.

"Up front they're massive," May said. "They're going to be really big -- maybe the biggest team we've faced this year."

-- Jeff Breer