Bluff to test nerves of Jackson faithful

After nine weeks of play, the season for several area high school football teams has come down to just one game. Win and they advance to the playoffs. Lose and they put up their gear for the year.

That's the situation facing a couple of notable local squads in particular who just happen to be 2-0 in district play and are gearing up for other 2-0 clubs in winner-take-all finales this week.

In Class 4A, Cape Girardeau Central and Farmington will clash Thursday night at Houck Stadium for the right to move on to the playoffs.

But the marquee matchup on the final date of the regular campaign will no doubt take place Friday night in Jackson when the undefeated, state-ranked Indians host the once-beaten, highly dangerous Poplar Bluff Mules in a battle for a Class 5A postseason berth.

The situation for Jackson fans is eerily similar to last year when the state-ranked Indians took their perfect record to Poplar Bluff and suffered an upset loss at the hands of the Mules.

This time the game is on the Indians' field, but it should still give Jackson supporters plenty of nervous moments because once again their team faces the possibility of not only having a perfect season spoiled but also falling just short of a playoff berth.

I don't yet know which way I'm leaning on the matchup -- I'll have my official pick later in the week -- but I do know that the contest figures to be a dandy.

And I also know that Jackson's stadium will be totally packed -- and rocking -- for what on paper figures to be the game of the year in Southeast Missouri.

If you like high school football, then it doesn't get any better than that.

It's hard enough under any circumstances to put together the kind of season Southeast Missouri State University's women's soccer team is having.

But throw in the fact that the SEMO program is in only its third year and what the Otahkians are doing is extra remarkable.

The Otahkians have lost just once all season and they are undefeated in Ohio Valley Conference play, having already clinched at least a tie for the league championship. A win over Murray State Nov. 4 will give SEMO the title outright.

And the Otahkians are virtually assured of hosting the OVC Tournament Nov. 9-11, with the winner of that event earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

SEMO's men's basketball program, which has been caught a bit short on scholarship players for a variety of reasons, received some good news a few days ago when the NCAA revised its rule on doling out scholarships.

Previously, teams could only award five scholarships per year and eight over a two-year period. The rule is still five per year but now squads can give out nine over a two-year period, meaning the Indians will be able to award one additional scholarship for next season. That will help them get closer to being up to maximum scholarship level after unexpectedly losing some players following last season.

While high school football teams across the state are winding down their seasons, prep basketball squads are allowed to officially begin practice Monday. Ditto for all other winter sports.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian