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SportsSeptember 6, 2002

Sikeston at Jackson Records last year: Sikeston (6-4), Jackson (12-1) Last year: Jackson 34, Sikeston 7 Notes: Jackson has beaten Sikeston in season-openers the last three years and won five of the past six meetings. Sikeston senior tailback Lavar Morgan (6-2, 205) rushed for 733 yards after getting starting spot in fourth week of last season. ...

Sikeston at Jackson

Records last year: Sikeston (6-4), Jackson (12-1)

Last year: Jackson 34, Sikeston 7

Notes: Jackson has beaten Sikeston in season-openers the last three years and won five of the past six meetings. Sikeston senior tailback Lavar Morgan (6-2, 205) rushed for 733 yards after getting starting spot in fourth week of last season. Sikeston also has a dangerous passing attack with senior Drew Lawrence or junior Blake DeWitt at the controls. Jackson senior C/LB Luke Aufdenberg has been ill this week and is questionable for game. Jackson, a Class 5 semifinalist last year, has won 25 of its last 26 regular-season games.

St. Charles West at Central

Records last year: St. Charles West (2-8), Central (7-5)

Last year: Central 21, St. Charles West 7

Notes: West is on a seven-game losing streak. Tigers have hit up St. Charles for opening victories the last two years and have won three straight over the Warriors. Central returns seven two-way starters from Class 4 quarterfinal team. Seniors Tyrell Jones and Brandon Williams combined for over 1,300 yards rushing in Warriors' wishbone offense last year. Former halfback Zach Garrison, who missed most of last year due to injury, has been switched to quarterback for his senior season.

Herculaneum at Perryville

Records last year: Herculaneum (9-2), Perryville (2-8)

Last year: Did not play

Notes: Herculaneum won its district last year and returns seven starters on offense and six on defense, including junior all-state DE/ OT Jeff Sobel ( 6-3, 235) and senior running backs Dave Pritchett and Taylor Howze. Black Cats have moved all-conference lineman Ryan Killian to fullback and linebacker. Teams haven't met since 1997, when the Black Cats beat the Pirates for a fourth straight year. Perryville quarterback Kyle Dobbelare missed last week's jamboree and practice all this week with a sprained ankle but is a probable starter tonight. Pirates also bolster their offensive line with return of tackle Sam Zahner and guard Jacob Bachmann, who both missed the jamboree. Running back Joel Kurre, who missed nearly the entire jamboree with a viral infection, may only see action at middle linebacker after missing the entire week of practice. Both teams have big lines and are run oriented.

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Priory at St. Vincent

Records last year: Priory (2-7), St. Vincent (5-5)

Last year: Did not play.

Notes: Teams haven't met since the 1980's. Priory is a Class 3 school while St. Vincent in Class 1. Priory was a sophomore-oriented team last year and returns junior quarterback Ted Horan and a pair of dangerous receivers in junior Matt Merjavy and senior Matt Trickle. Rebels also return top running back, junior Brenton Jamison.

Malden at Scott City

Records last year: Scott City (3-7), Malden (4-6)

Last year: Malden 19, Scott City 13

Notes: Jason Burkman makes his debut as head coach at Scott City. Ram senior tight end Chad Weatherspoon is ineligible for tonight's game. He has to serve a one-game suspension that dates back to when he last played football as a sophomore. Rams are 2-4 in the last six meetings. Malden returns senior fullback John Sutton (5-9, 240), who rushed for nearly 900 yards last year, quarterback Scott Matthews and tailbacks Jamal Kilgore and Mario Payne. Rams are void of varsity experience in the backfield.

Chaffee at Grandview

Records last year: Chaffee (2-8), Grandview (0-10)

Last year: Chaffee 16, Grandview 8

Notes: Senior Sam Burnett will start at quarterback for Red Devils, returning to the sport which he hasn't played since his freshman year. Eagles return senior Dan Freihaut at quarterback as well as all-conference TE/DE Sean Dugan. Eagles are still looking for their first win under second-year head coach Chris Woelich. The Red Devils have opened their last three seasons with wins over Grandview.

-- Jeff Breer

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