FOOTBALL JAMBOREE FINALLY ARRIVES

It's Jamboree time for high school football teams across the state.

And area coaches couldn't be more pleased.

After nearly three weeks of practicing among themselves, squads will tonight have the opportunity to go against other teams in scrimmages that feature game-type situations and officials.

Last year, for the first time in the history of the state, the Missouri State High School Activities Association allowed prep football teams to scrimmage each other before the beginning of the season. The MSHSAA dubbed these scrimmages Jamborees.

The concept, which coaches across the state had been clamoring for over the years, went over extremely well and tonight will mark the second installment of Jamborees.

"It's just great for high school football in Missouri and it makes the football better early in the season," said Cape Girardeau Central coach Jerry Dement. "It allows you to work against other teams. Your players get tired of just beating up on each other so this is a nice change of pace. It kinds of rewards the kids."

Dement's Tigers will venture to the Jackson High Stadium tonight for a four-team Jamboree set to begin at 6:30. Joining the Tigers and host Indians will be the two teams from Perryville -- Perryville Public and St. Vincent.

"It'll be nice to kind of see where you stand and what you really need to work on heading into the first game," said Jackson coach Carl Gross, whose squad returns just four starters from last year's team that went 11-1 and lost in the Class 5A quarterfinals. "These Jamborees really give you a chance to do that. I think all the high school coaches around the state really like this format."

The Jamboree format allows for each team to run 12 offensive and 12 defensive plays starting from its own 30-yard line. Each squad will go against the other teams participating. No clock will be used, no downs will kept and, if a team should score before its 12th play, the ball will be placed at the 30-yard-line with the scoring team retaining possession until their 12 plays have been reached.

At the conclusion of 12 plays, the offensive team switches to defense and another 12 plays are executed.

In all, each team will have 36 offensive and 36 defensive plays. No scores will be kept and there will be no kicking or punting.

In Jackson, the host Indians and Perryville will square off to start the action. The rest of the scrimmage order will be Cape Central vs. St. Vincent, Cape Central vs. Perryville, Jackson vs. St. Vincent, Cape Central vs. Jackson and Perryville vs. St. Vincent.

Scott City will join Fredericktown, Portageville and host Dexter for a four-team Jamboree set to begin at 7 p.m.

"We're looking forward to it," said Scott City coach Terry Flannigan. "We're getting tired of bumping each other. It'll be good to do something different."

Chaffee will join Hayti, Caruthersville and host Kennett for action also starting at 7 p.m.

"Jamborees are a big help to many, many schools," said Chaffee coach Brian Horrell. "It lets you know what you need to work on."

In another four-team Jamboree, Charleston will travel to Farmington for a 6 p.m. start, with De Soto and Fox also competing.

Sikeston will also be in action against three other teams as the Bulldogs visit Ste. Genevieve Public to do battle with the Dragons, Ste. Genevieve Valle and Windsor. Play begins at 6:30 p.m.

Tonight's action will come exactly one week before the start of the 1998 campaign. All the area squads will kick off the new season next Friday night.