High school football capsules for Week 5 games

Chaffee (1-3) at Scott City (1-3)

Last week: Chaffee 20, St. Pius 6; Dexter 43, Scott City 7

Last year: Scott City 27, Chaffee 6

Outlook: The rivalry game has gotten more interesting in recent years. Scott City ended a two-game losing streak to the Red Devils last season. The series still heavily tits toward the Rams, who had beaten Chaffee 21 consecutive times before a 21-19 loss in 2007.

Chaffee ended an 11-game losing streak last week with its victory against St. Pius.

"That was a win we needed badly," Chaffee coach Charlie Vickery said. "It's really helped us mentally. I think we got some confidence back."

Chaffee junior quarterback Jordan Yahn played virtually the entire game against St. Pius after missing considerable time with a sprained ankle that he suffered in the season opener. Yahn completed 12 of 18 passes for 156 yards, including a pair of touchdown passes to senior receiver Mike Rutherford. The Red Devils' running game continued to struggle with only 34 yards on 30 rushing attempts. Chaffee had just 23 yards on 26 carries in a loss to Hayti a week earlier.

In contrast, Scott City has excelled on the ground most of the season with senior running back Garett Schaefer leading the way. The quick and nimble Schaefer has dashed for 622 yards this season, but has been somewhat throttled the last two weeks. Schaefer carried 53 times for 466 yards the first two weeks (8.8 average) against Malden and St. Vincent but has 156 yards on 38 carries (4.1 average) the last two weeks against East Prairie and Dexter.

"He's got a lot of speed and a lot of moves, and it's hard to hold him down for an entire ballgame," Vickery said.

Scott City's point output has reflected the decline in Schaefer's yardage. The Rams totaled 83 points the first two games and 30 the last two weeks.

Scott City coach Jim May said his team has lacked focus since a 42-21 victory over St. Vincent in Week 2.

"We've made so many mistakes the last two weeks it's just unbelievable," May said. "Whether it be blocking, route running or tackling. Just one after another. We've compiled so many mistakes it's just led to really bad played football games by us."

Senior quarterback Jamie Scholz struggled against Dexter last week, going 2 of 10 for 14 yards with three interceptions. Scholz threw for a season-high 137 yards a week earlier against East Prairie, completing 10 of 17 passes. Scholz's favorite target has been junior Austin Atchley, who had six catches for 98 yards against East Prairie.

"I think the key for us is to hold down the big plays and not have turnovers," Vickery said. "They're big-play capable with Schaefer back there. The thing is you can't totally key on him because they've got some other good backs and their quarterback is a good player."

May was on the staff at Chaffee when the Red Devils broke the streak against his alma mater in 2007.

"They're always going to come into this game ready to play," May said. "We know that. It's just a game where we have to come out and play well. It's really going to have an impact on the rest of our season."

Jackson (2-2) at Sikeston (4-0)

Last week: Central 41, Jackson 6; Sikeston 36, Poplar Bluff 6

Last year: Sikeston 27, Jackson 0

Outlook: Jackson faces an unbeaten team for the second straight week. Sikeston has built momentum since a 42-34 victory against Obion County (Tenn.) in its season opener. The Bulldogs have outscored Charleston, Dexter and Poplar Bluff by a combined score of 128-12 since Week 1.

Sikeston, which lost in last year's Class 4 semifinals, has won 17 of its last 18 games. The cast has changed somewhat from last year, but the results have been the same. First-year senior quarterback Trey Lewis keys the Bulldogs' potent offense. Lewis completed 8 of 15 passes against Poplar Bluff last week, but is an even bigger threat with his legs. He rushed for 85 yards on nine carries, which pales to his previous outing when he busted loose for 217 yards on six carries against Dexter. Four of the carries went for touchdowns on runs of 62, 59, 47 and 25 yards.

"They rely on him more so than they did with the quarterback last year," said Jackson coach Van Hitt, referring to former all-state quarterback Juqualin Wiggins. "He does a good job of running the option and makes great decisions with the football."

Senior running back Darryl Howard has stepped up and been a big weapon after the graduation of backfield threats Eli Jackson and Jarian Wims. Howard ran for 174 yards on 17 carries in last week's win. Other running threats in the Bulldogs' arsenal are James Watson, who topped 100 yards against Obion, and Kyland Gross.

"They're dangerous. Their backs are actually faster this year than last year," said Hitt, who also noted the Bulldogs return experience on the lines. "[Coach Kent Gibbs] has increased his team speed over last year's team."

After scoring 50 points in a season-opening win over O'Fallon Christian, Jackson has netted 36 points in its last three games. A sputtering offense hit a season low last week when the Indians mounted just 97 yards in a loss to rival Central.

"I told our kids, this is really a gut check for us for our season right here," Hitt said. "Can we bounce back from last week and perform like we're capable of?"

Senior running back Ethan Ruch leads Jackson with 368 yards, averaging 5.5 yards a carry. Sophomore Lowgn Wren leads the receivers with 10 catches for 200 yards.

Hitt said linebacker Brandon Wills will miss tonight's game with a bruised shoulder. Jake Jones, a two-way lineman, broke a hand in practice Wednesday but still plans to play.

Central (4-0) at North County (0-4)

Last week: Central 41, Jackson 6; Farmington 59, North County 6

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: If a team knows where its opponent is coming from, it's the Central Tigers. On the heels of its first winless season since 1983, Central can enjoy its first 5-0 start since 1977 with a victory tonight against the winless Raiders.

North County has struggled to post points this season, accumulating just six points the past three weeks and 18 for the season. The Raiders, who have been playing freshman Wyatt Compton at quarterback, have been shut out twice, including a 17-0 loss to Jackson in Week 3.

"These kids have been there and they know what that's about," Central coach Rich Payne said. "I've reminded them a lot about that this week, about what that's like and how you have to take care of your business. You have to prepare well to be a success."

The Raiders are coached by former Southeast Missouri State quarterback Jeromy McDowell, and Payne expects the Raiders to be ready to defend their home turf.

"They're going be a good bunch of kids that will fight and try to do what they can do to be successful," Payne said. "We need to be on top of our game. If not, it will be a struggle."

Central, coming off a lopsided victory against rival Jackson, averages 39 points a game. The Tigers' running game has yet to be stopped. The Tigers rushed for 284 yards last week, with only 78 yards of that coming after halftime with the game already decided. The Tigers have rushed for at least 278 yards in each of their four games, averaging nearly 6.8 yards an attempt. Senior running backs James Poindexter and Keilon Moore continue to average around 10 yards per carry. Moore leads the team with 410 yards rushing with Poindexter right behind at 393.

Junior quarterback Christian Cavaness has completed 15 of his last 18 pass attempts, including 5 of 6 against Jackson.

"I think they'll try loading the box on us," Payne said. "We'll have to continue to be efficient in our passing game and find our opportunities. And if they take one thing away from us, we'll need to be able to adjust and come back with something different."

Central's defense is allowing 10.2 points a game and yielded just 97 yards to Jackson.

The teams last met in the Class 4 playoffs in 2003, when North County defeated Central 49-3 in the sectional round.

St. Pius (1-3) at St. Vincent (1-3)

Last week: Chaffee 20, St. Pius 6; Herculaneum 48, St. Vincent 14

Last year: St. Vincent 27, St. Pius 14

Outlook: St. Vincent will be starting its third quarterback in three games when the Warriors visit tonight.

After junior starting quarterback Tim Schumer was lost for six to eight weeks with a knee injury in a Week 3 victory against Missouri Military Academy, his sophomore replacement, Trent Elder, injured his left shoulder in last week's loss to Herculaneum. Senior center Taylor Sauer, who came on in relief after the injuries both weeks, will get the start against St. Pius.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Sauer is the son of St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer. He was 4 of 9 passing for 50 yards with one touchdown and one interception last week.

"He's not a quarterback by trade, but he knows the offense well enough to just run the offense and not hurt it," Sauer said of his son. "I think his strength is simply running the offense."

Coach Sauer was not ruling out a possible return by Elder at some point in the game, calling it a game-time decision. Sauer said Elder has a strained rotator cuff.

Not only are the Indians scrambling at quarterback, but the move means two regulars will be missing on the line this week. Guard Sean Martin will not play due to a concussion.

"We just have to piecemeal the offensive line at this point," Sauer said. "It's one of those seasons."

St. Vincent junior fullback Derek Joggerst led the Indians' rushing attack with 10 carries for 114 yards last week.

St. Pius runs a trio of senior backs in its power-running attack. The Warriors rushed the ball 46 times for 206 yards in last week's loss to Chaffee. Evan Temperato led the way with 13 carries for 72 yards, while Luke Linderer and Charlie Argana both carried 12 times. Argana is the largest of the group at 225 pounds. The offensive line has a pair of 290-pound tackles.

"They're real big up front and just try to run you over," Sauer said. "If that's not successful, then they'll try to spread you out and either run it or throw it."

St. Pius has lost three straight since a season-opening victory against winless Barat Academy, which forfeited its last game.

A quick start may be vital for St. Vincent, which has been outscored 97-6 during the first half of its three losses.

"We need some breaks early and put some points on the board," Sauer said. "I think a team like Pius, once you get on top of them, they'll tend to hang their head a little bit, so we've got to try to get on top of them early."

Perryville (0-4) at Fredericktown (4-0)

Last week: Potosi 56, Perryville 7; Fredericktown 48, Park Hills Central 30

Last year: Fredericktown 21, Perryville 0

Outlook: Perryville has lost five in a row to Fredericktown, with three of the last four by shutout.

Fredericktown is off to its third 4-0 start in its four seasons under coach Shannon Henson. Fredericktown won its first nine games in 2007 and its first seven in 2008. The Blackcats qualified for the Class 3 playoffs last season and in 2007.

The Blackcats run their offense out of the I-formation and have two experienced seniors in the backfield. Quarterback A.P. Lewandowski is a three-year starter who is both a threat to throw and run. Running back Jacob Farmer has rushed for more than 150 yards in each of his last three games and has 585 yards this season. In addition to rushing for 150 yards against Park Hills last week, Farmer returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Farmer, who rushed for more than 1,200 yards as a junior, also is a three-year starter at cornerback and has established a new Fredericktown record with eight career interceptions.

Fredericktown has averaged 49 points over its last two games.

"I think they've got 20-something seniors," Perryville coach Keith Winkler said. "They're a good ballclub. They do what they do very well. They're going to come at you and be very physical. We're going to have to stop their running game."

Perryville, which averages just less than nine points a game, has scored 35 points this season. The Pirates, who run multiple looks, mounted only 44 yards of offense in last week's loss to Potosi, while the Trojans compiled 444 yards of offense.

"We're still trying to find out who we are," Winkler said. "We're trying to find out the personality of this team, and we're working hard to figure that out. The kids are working hard and they're coming after it. The effort is there."

-- Jeff Breer