CHARLESTON, STE. GENEVIEVE AGAIN CROSS PATHS FOR TITLE

With several area football teams wrapping up their seasons Thursday night, a short list of gridiron action is on the slate tonight.

A look at the three area games on tap tonight:

Ste. Genevieve (8-1) at Charleston (5-4)

There will be no need for a fancy playoff point system here. The winner of this game claims the Class 3A, District 2 title.

Last year Charleston claimed the district with a 32-24 win. This year the Dragons, ranked seventh in 3A, should be the favorites.

The Blue Jays only hope may ride on the speedy legs of all-state tailback Larico Coleman. Charleston will need another big game from Coleman if the Blue Jays are to continue their football season.

Coleman is second in the area in both rushing and scoring with 1,319 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Ste Genevieve's only loss came to the North County Raiders, ranked second in 4A.

St. Vincent (7-2) at Chaffee (2-6)

St. Vincent is certainly in the driver's seat in Class 1A, District 1.

Assuming Valle's win over Hayti, St. Vincent -- ranked No. 7 in 1A -- can even lose to the Red Devils by eight points and still come away with the district crown for the second year in a row.

But after last week's emotional win over the state-ranked Valle Warriors, don't expect the Indians to back into the playoffs. Last year, St. Vincent won 33-6 and the Indians appear to have enough weapons to secure their third district title in four years with a victory.

Chaffee, coming off its first legitimate victory after earning a forfeit win earlier, has proven to be competitive at times. Quarterback Matt Graham has thrown for 797 yards and fullback Nick Swinford is coming off a four-touchdown performance in last week's 36-8 win over Hayti.

East Prairie (3-6) at Scott City (6-3)

Both teams are already eliminated from the Class 2A, District 1 title chase, but a position in the SEMO South Conference is still on the line.

Despite a loss last week to Malden, Scott City is coming off one of its more impressive performances of the year. After a big game last week, Rams' running back Howie Stubenrauch is closing in on a 1,000-yard season. Stubenrauch has 856 yards and 10 TDs entering the game with the Eagles.

East Prairie, which beat the Rams last year 6-0, have been on a three-game slide since a 13-0 win over Chaffee in Week 6.

TONIGHT'S GAMES

Poplar Bluff at Jackson

East Prairie at Scott City

St. Vincent at Chaffee

Ste. Genevieve at Charleston

Malden at Portageville

Dexter at New Madrid Co. Central