Exciting games

This is an exciting part of the season for some high school athletic programs. After months of practice and competition, individual athletes and teams are doing their best to advance to the next level in the MSHSAA playoffs.

The Perryville soccer team defeated De Soto 6-0 in Tuesday's Class 2 sectional contest at the Perryville Soccer Complex. The Pirates move on to quarterfinals and will face St. Mary's Saturday.

Jackson High School's football team is moving on to the Class 5 quarterfinal. It will host Webster Groves at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Cape Girardeau Central High School football team also won its district contest with a win over Hillsboro, the No. 1 seed. Central will host Miller Career Academy in a quarterfinal game Saturday.

Notre Dame Regional High School will be well represented in the state swimming competition this weekend. Eight members of the school's swim team will compete.

The Leopold volleyball team had a strong performance over the weekend, coming in second in the state tournament held at the Show Me Center.

Congratulations to all the individuals and teams still competing in fall sports. These are exhilarating contests that bring out much emotion. It's also a culmination of much hard work, practice and dedication. To all those competing, we wish you the best.