Chaffee offense begins to stir

The Chaffee football team still hasn't cracked the win column in the 2004 season, but the Red Devils have at least crossed the goal line a few times in recent weeks.

After being shut out by Grandview and Corning, Ark., the first two weeks of the season, Chaffee fell 37-7 to Crystal City and 39-14 to Portageville the last two Friday nights.

A 15-yard pass play from Jeff Daugherty to Geff Mirley accounted for the scoring against Crystal City, and Chaffee was able to move the ball through the air on drives against Portageville.

"I knew Chaffee could throw the ball pretty good, and we had our rookie secondary back there," Portageville coach Ashley Swims said. "I knew that would hurt us pretty bad, and it did."

Chaffee, which was winless last season, marched to the Bulldogs' 18-yard line early in the game behind the running of senior Brad Uhrhan and sophomore David Rhoda and a 30-yard pass from Daugherty to Jesse Gettings. But the Red Devils stalled, lost the ball on downs and Portageville's Antonio Scott ran 81 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the ensuing drive for the game's first score.

Scott added two more touchdowns in the quarter to give Portageville a 20-0 lead after one period.

Uhrhan put Chaffee's first score on the board in the third quarter on a 2-yard run that capped a series highlighted by passing plays and made the score 26-6.

Another Chaffee drive reached Portageville's 8-yard line before an interception ended the drive.

Chaffee scored one more touchdown late in the contest -- another 2-yard run by Uhrhan -- and executed an on-side kick.

The Red Devils finished the night with 111 yards passing with seven completions in 11 attempts. Gettings caught two balls for 63 yards, Mirley grabbed one for 15 and Rick Baylis caught one for 33.

On the ground, Urhahn finished with 67 yards on 23 carries and Rhoda had 43 yards on 10 carries.

Chaffee plays at unbeaten Scott City on Friday night.

More weapons

St. Vincent, which will compete in the same Class 1 district as Chaffee, has not had trouble scoring in its 3-1 start. The Indians blasted Grandview 40-7 on Friday night and unveiled a few more weapons.

Dustin Winkler cracked the 100-yard mark for the first time this season, scoring two touchdowns in a 14-carry, 117-yard effort. Luke Guyot (42 yards on three carries) and Waylon Richardet (64 yards on six carries) also had touchdowns.

Tight end Danny Rellergert caught four passes for 82 yards and scored a touchdown. He also added a touchdown on a fumble recovery.