CHAFFEE HOPES IMPROVED STATS MEAN `W' IS NEAR

Improvement is showing everywhere but on the scoreboard for the Chaffee Red Devils football team.

Last week at Gosnell, Ark., the Red Devils rolled up 469 yards of total offense, but had five turnovers in a 38-18 loss. It was Chaffee's 20th loss in a row.

Fulton County (Ky.) is coming off its first loss of the season, a 38-0 drubbing by Union City, Ky. But despite being one the smallest schools in Kentucky, the Pilots (2-1) possess a lot of speed and big linemen.

Byron Tucker leads the Pilot offense at quarterback after playing tailback last year. Ricky Polk is the feature back now, gaining over 100 yards in the Pilots first two wins. James Bridges (6-2, 270) is Fulton's top lineman.

Chaffee halfback Tommy Stidham has eclipsed 100 yards in Chaffee's two games. Converted lineman Nick Swinford had 144 yards rushing last week before leaving in the third quarter with a concussion that will keep him out of this week's game. Freshman Sean Powderly will take Swinford's spot in the backfield.

"We'll be minus some key players because of injuries," said Chaffee coach Brian Horrell. "Losing Nick is a very big blow and we also lost (linebacker) Jeremy Vandeven with a torn MCL."

Chaffee quarterback Matt Graham had a solid game last week, throwing for 223 yards and a touchdown on 11-of-19 passing. Jamie Dumey was his main target with seven catches for 159 and a score.

Last year, Chaffee lost at Fulton County 32-6.

Scott City (1-1) at Fredericktown (0-2)

Fredericktown may be winless after two games, but on the bright side, at least the Black Cats don't have to play in Perryville this Friday.

After losses to both Perryville teams (Perryville 28-13 and St. Vincent 15-0) on the road to start 1997, the Black Cats will host Scott City in their home opener. It will be the Rams' first game on the road after a season opening win over St. Vincent (12-3) and last week's loss to Dexter (26-6).

Last year, Fredericktown got its first win at Scott City with a 14-6 victory. Scott City's Howie Stubenrauch, a senior this year, had 101 yards rushing in that loss.

Jeremy Penwell has handled the brunt of the Black Cats' offense with 364 yards rushing.

Perryville (1-1) at Herculaneum (2-0)

Perryville's Pirates are hoping the same Herculaneum Black Cats don't cross their paths after last year's 32-7 loss at home.

But Herculaneum looks to be just as tough this year, with two shutout victories over Pacific (36-0) and De Soto (41-0). The Black Cats will be the Pirates' second tough test in a row after falling to state-ranked Ste. Genevieve last week 37-15.

Herculaneum quarterback Mike Beckham (6-4, 160) leads a balanced offense that returns two of his favorite targets, tight end Pete Richardson (6-3, 195) and Jason Yates (5-9, 150). Brad Politte (5-10, 210) and Brock Teddleton anchor the Black Cats' line.

Perryville will continue to grind its yardage on the ground. Ben Kohm racked up 218 yards in last week's loss after gaining 174 in a win over Fredericktown.

Park Hills (0-2) at St. Vincent (1-1)

It will be a teacher verses student matchup when Mike Gotto brings his Rebels to St. Vincent to face Paul Sauer's Indians. Gotto coached Sauer at St. Vincent in the early 1980's.

Park Hills returns few starters from last year's 2-8 team while St. Vincent has only one starter back from its 1996 playoff team. The two teams' inexperience has shown early on, although St. Vincent got its first win of 1997 last week against Fredericktown 15-0. Park Hills got pounded by Windsor and Potosi while scoring only six points.

Last year, the Indians beat Park Hills 29-6.

Linebackers Andy Stokes and Brock Busenbark lead the Rebels' defense. Jimmy Downs is their top lineman and Alan McFarland has seen most of the carries at tailback for the Rebels.

Bryan Meyer led the St. Vincent offense last week with 148 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown run. Dustin Moll had two interceptions last week and caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joey Ponder.

Caruthersville (0-2), at Charleston (0-2)

After two tough losses on the road, Charleston appears poised for its first win of 1997 at home against Caruthersville.

The Tigers are not only winless on the season, but have yet to score a point in two games. After a 26-0 loss to Portageville last week, Caruthersville has been outscored 47-0 in 1997.

Scoring has not been a problem for Charleston, especially for Blue Jay running back Larico Coleman. In Charleston's 32-30 loss at Sikeston last Friday, Coleman gained 315 yards and scored five touchdowns.

"That game should set the tone for the rest of our season," said Charleston coach Dan Kesselring. "We have to become a better defensive ball team, but we get better every time we get on the field."

Last year, Charleston won 41-8.

Sikeston (2-0) at Mayfield, Ky. (2-1)

Last week, Sikeston withstood an outstanding individual performance by Charleston's Larico Coleman on the way to a 32-30 win.

This week, the Bulldogs will have to contend with Terral Starks of the Mayfield (Ky.) Cardinals, one of the top players in Kentucky. Mayfield, which has reached the state semifinals the past 16 years, is ranked third in Kentucky's Class A.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Starks has been heavily recruited by Division-IA schools as a defensive back and is also the Cardinals' main offensive weapon. Last week, Starks scored on runs of 45 and 29 yards on his way to 143 yards on 12 carries in a 35-0 win over Graves County, Ky. He also caught two passes for 39 yards.

Sikeston sophomore Justin Robinson was an able replacement at tailback for the injured Mark Blissett, running for 221 yards on 20 carries against Charleston. Blissett, who will not play tonight, is expected to miss several games with a strained knee.

Mayfield beat the Bulldogs in Sikeston last year 27-6.