FREDERICKTOWN, FESTUS MATCH PERFECT 2-0 STARTS

In one of the more intriguing prep football matchups this week, Fredericktown will be meeting a familiar face when it plays host to Festus tonight.

Dustin Brown, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards for Festus last year, will be coming home.

"He lived in Fredericktown until the sixth grade," said Fredericktown coach Kent Gibbs. "A lot of our kids know him."

Both teams are off to 2-0 starts. Festus knocked off Union 40-7 in its season opener then edged Affton 41-40 last week.

"They're big across both lines," said Gibbs. "We'll have to play well and maybe utilize some quickness that we might have. We're 2-0 and glad to be there, but we know Festus is favored to win the White Division of the conference. They'll be one of the better teams on our schedule. They've got a good football team and on paper they're better than us. But we can't be concerned about that. I think we are a bit quicker than them. If we can do some things on offense and move the ball, I think we'll be OK."

Fredericktown is becoming more and more confident. After their first winning season in 16 years last year, the Blackcats have opened the season with a 49-18 win over Crystal City and a 39-6 win over Chaffee last week.

Scott City at East Prairie

Okay, so East Prairie ended an 11-game losing streak last week against Corning, Ark.

But it will take more than momentum for East Prairie to knock off Scott City.

It'll take a miracle.

The Rams shut out East Prairie 56-0 last year. Though East Prairie is an improved team over a year ago, the Eagles still fall shy of Scott City's talent level.

The Rams are 2-0 after beating Malden 40-33 in the first week and Portageville 27-14 last week in a game that wasn't as close as the score indicated.

Lutheran South at St. Vincent

Lutheran South, a 3A school, could give St. Vincent -- No. 2 in 1A -- a challenge.

"They're big and physical up front," said Indian coach Keith Winkler. "They'll be a real good challenge for us. Hopefully our speed will help us out. I think they'll give us everything we can handle.

"Their numbers aren't real great; they have about 35 kids out. Hopefully our depth will play a big key."

Lutheran South defeated DeBourg 17-0 in its opener and Clayton 9-7 last week.

"Clayton is a good 3A school and both their scores were defensive touchdowns," Winkler said. "Lutheran South has a good defense."

On offense, "they like to run double tight, double wing and they'll try to come off tackle and try to blow you off the ball," Winkler said. "And they got a 6-foot-5 quarterback who's a lefty who throws the ball pretty nice when they do throw it, but they don't throw that much."

Chaffee at Piggott, Ark.

For the third straight week, Chaffee will play on the road.

Piggott (2-0) defeated the Red Devils 50-28 last year, but Chaffee coach Allan Horrell is quick to point out that Chaffee held its own after the first quarter.

Chaffee spotted Piggott a 28-0 lead in the first quarter, but traded touchdowns after that.

"They lost their two good running backs," said Horrell. "Their line is what's keeping them going. The entire line returns intact."

Chaffee is looking to rebound from a 39-6 loss at the hands of a much more physical Fredericktown team last week.

"We're confident," Horrell said. "We just hope last week's loss doesn't spill over. I feel that's what happened last year against them (Piggott). I hope that doesn't happen this year."

Charleston at Caruthersville

These two teams have a good measuring stick.

In week one, Kennett knocked off Charleston 19-6. In week two, Kennett slipped past Caruthersville 26-20.

Without the services of running back Jordy Mixon, Charleston will be playing shorthanded. Mixon was ejected from last week's game against Sikeston after being involved in a scuffle.

Charleston hung with Sikeston for three quarters last week, but slipped in the fourth in a 33-14 loss.

Caruthersville opened the season with a 53-6 win over Cross County, Ark.

New Madrid at Farmington

The Eagles and Knights will be putting state rankings on the line when they hook up.

New Madrid, the No. 6 team in Class 3A, will try to use its great team speed against a large Farmington squad which is ranked second in 4A.

Sikeston at Dexter

In recent years, Sikeston would be a heavy favorite, but these two teams appear to be pretty even this season.

Sikeston, with its strong offensive line, would probably be considered a favorite but Dexter has had two strong outings, first playing Poplar Bluff tough in a 29-7 loss and then knocking off Jonesboro Westside 48-13.