ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: MATT UNDERWOOD

School: Scott City

Sport: Football

Coach: Roy Williams

Week Report: After so-so performances in Week 1 and Week 2, last year's leading rusher in Southeast Missouri erupted last week for 205 yards on 26 carries and three touchdowns -- and he didn't even touch the ball in the second half as the Rams rolled to a 56-0 win over East Prairie.

Season Report: Underwood has run for 365 yards in his first three games and caught two passes for 40 yards. Underwood, playing on a tender ankle, was held to 75 yards in the Rams' loss to Malden and 85 yards in a win over Portageville. Underwood also plays safety on defense.

Coach's Comments: "He played a lot better this week," Williams said. "He had an ankle bothering him in the Malden game and ran real tentative and hurt it again in Portageville so we let him rest in the week before East Prairie. We told him we would just run him to the half and that was it. He pretty much just runs straight ahead. He doesn't do much zig-zag stuff. He runs through arms and makes one cut. Against Malden, he was doing too much dancing and we showed him the film. We told him to forget about looking extra hard for a cutback and to just run. He's a team leader and real hard working. He's one of the first dressed and one of the first ready to go every day. He knows the team is expecting him to be (a leader)."