AREA'S BIG GAMES PROMISE BIG THRILLS

Looking for the hottest ticket in town this fall? Then be sure to find a spot in the grandstands for these games, which promise to be the 10 best match-ups of the season:

1. Poplar Bluff at Jackson, Nov. 2 -- The Class 5A, District 1 championship has come down to the last game of the season between these two the last couple of years. Expect the area's two best teams to lock horns again for all the marbles at a packed Jackson Stadium.

2. Jackson at Cape Central, Oct. 5 -- This rivalry always seems to bring out the best (and worst) in each team. The series has turned lopsided the last several years (Jackson has won six of the last seven), but nearly every contest is close.

3. St. Vincent at Hayti, Nov. 2 -- Hayti, which returns nearly everybody from its roster, played eventual state finalist St.Vincent as tough as any team last year, losing 22-16. This year's game at Hayti will likely decide the Southeast Missouri representative in the state playoffs.

4. Farmington at Cape Central, Nov. 1 -- The district championship came down to these two teams last year and so far in the preseason, the Knights and the Tigers are the favorites to do it again.

5. Charleston at Sikeston, Sept. 7 -- Because of Sikeston's success (10 wins in 11 years) against the Bluejays, some of the luster has been lost from the oldest rivalry west of the Mississippi River. But both communities still look forward to the game.

6. Dyersburg at NMCC, Oct. 12 -- One week before district play, NMCC will test its ability when traditionally strong Dyersburg, Tenn., comes to town. The Trojans will probably give NMCC its toughest game heading into the second season.

7. Charleston at Scott City, Nov. 2 -- For three straight years, the winner of this Week 10 match-up has gone on to win the district title. After this game, make it four straight years.

8. Malden at Caruthersville, Oct. 19 -- Class 2A, District 1 is up for grabs this year, but these two teams appear to be the front-runners. The Tigers dropped a 41-40 heartbreaker to eventual champion Malden, but this year they get the Green Wave at home.

9. Hayti at Caruthersville, Sept. 21 -- There are many in the Bootheel that feel this is the most intense rivalry in Southeast Missouri. The Tigers and the Indians don't get the exposure as the larger schools, but the bitterness between the two makes for great football.

10. Sikeston at Cape Central, Oct. 18 -- If Farmington isn't up to snuff, this Thursday night district opener could turn out to be for the district championship. The Tigers haven't defeated Sikeston in consecutive years since 1986-87.