High school football preview capsules for Week 8 games

St. Vincent (4-3) at Chaffee (4-3)

Last week: St. Vincent 35, Grandview 20; Malden 49, Chaffee 25

Last year: Chaffee 40, St. Vincent 10

Class 1 District 2: St. Vincent, Chaffee, Cleveland NJROTC (5-2), Valle Catholic (6-1)

Outlook: With defending champion Valle Catholic the clear favorite to win this district, St. Vincent and Chaffee could find their postseason hopes hinging on the outcome of this game. Chaffee won this duel last season and ultimately advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 1983.

"Realistically, Valle is the favorite," St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer said. "The rest of us three are all pretty competitive. I think it will be a pretty tight race. On any given night, I think any of the three could win against the other two."

Cleveland NJROTC has the second-best record in the district at 5-2 but has played only one team with a winning record and dropped that contest.

"We go in thinking this is a whole new season, and our goal has been to get better to this point," Chaffee coach Charlie Vickery said. "The first game is a huge game, obviously, to get off to a good start for both teams."

Both Chaffee and St. Vincent have shown the ability to move the ball with consistency and have been capable defensively. Chaffee averages 31.6 points on offense, while St. Vincent averages 28.3. The Red Devils' defense is yielding 23.6 points a game, while the Indians have given up 18.8 per contest.

Both teams have lost to Scott City and beaten both Grandview and St. Pius.

Chaffee was hurt by a blocked punt, penalties and a kickoff return for a touchdown in last week's loss to Malden.

"I think it's kind of going to be a game of mistakes, penalties and turnovers because I think we match up pretty well," Vickery said.

Both teams have veteran quarterbacks who have started since their sophomore years, but the major difference is the approach used by their offenses.

Chaffee is run-oriented out of its Wing-T and I formations with senior quarterback Jordan Yahn frequently handing off to running back Tyson Estes, who is approaching a 1,000-yard season. Estes had 94 yards last week to push his season total to 954 yards. He averages 7.3 yards per carry.

Estes burned St. Vincent for 210 yards on 31 carries in last year's game.

"We can't let him get outside on us," Sauer said. "We have to avoid the big play and make him run between the tackles and wrap him up and get him on the ground."

Yahn is a capable passer, completing 61 percent of his passes for 902 yards. His leading receiver is sophomore Charlie Montgomery with 20 receptions for 385 yards.

"They set you up with the run, and when you're focused on the Estes kid, then that opens up their passing game," Sauer said.

St. Vincent senior quarterback Tim Schumer has launched more than twice as many passes as Yahn this season and completed 58 percent of his attempts for 1,140 yards.

Trent Elder and Taylor Sauer lead the receivers. Elder has a team-leading 292 yards receiving on 25 receptions, while Sauer has a team-high 27 catches for 223 yards.

While St. Vincent has found more consistent success in the air, the Indians did rush for 170 yards against Grandview last week. St. Vincent senior Derek Joggerst led the way with 115 yards to run his team-leading total to 407 yards.

St. Vincent will be without receiver/defensive back Jesse Francis, who is ineligible after being ejected from last week's game. Receiver/defensive back/kicker Sean Martin is questionable after suffering a concussion in Week 6.

Chaffee inside linebacker Trevor Cannon missed last week's game with a sprained ankle but is expected to play.

Herculaneum (3-4) at Scott City (4-3)

Last week: Charleston 34, Herculaneum 28; Hayti 42, Scott City 35

Last year: Herculaneum 40, Scott City 12

Class 2 District 2: Herculaneum, Scott City, St. Pius (0-6), Crystal City (4-3)

Outlook: Scott City takes on the defending district champion as it begins its bid for its first postseason appearance since 2008.

The Rams enter district play with four wins for the first time since 2007.

Scott City will face the first of two dangerous running backs in their district tonight in Herculaneum's Frank Abate. Crystal City also has an elusive runner in Stacey Thornton.

"Defensively, we've got to tackle," said Scott City coach Jim May, who saw his team surrender 298 yards rushing to Hayti. "I didn't feel like we played defensively very well last week. We played all right in spurts, but as a whole it was one of our worst defensive efforts."

Herculaneum has lost four of its last five after opening the season 2-0. The losses have included setbacks to defending Class 1 state champion Valle Catholic and state-ranked Class 2 Caruthersville. The Herculaneum swoon also included a 28-20 loss to St. Vincent, a team Scott City beat 27-6 in Week 2.

Scott City has scored at least 30 points in each of its last three games.

The Rams maintained most of their offensive punch last week despite playing their first full game without leading rusher Travis Phillips, who will undergo knee surgery later this month after tearing the ACL in his left knee in Week 6.

The Rams managed 438 yards against Hayti last week. Junior quarterback Jonathan McFall passed for 254 yards and four touchdowns in the loss. Senior Jacob Underwood and sophomore Gordy Bradley have shared the running duties since the loss of Phillips and have kept the ball moving. Underwood rushed for 101 yards on 29 carries, while Bradley had 12 carries for 85 yards against Hayti.

The Rams have two of the top receivers in the area in seniors Austin Atchley and Zach Cotner. Atchley has 23 catches for 439 yards, while Cotner has 24 for 342 yards. The pair has combined for nine touchdown catches, but Brett Dirnberger got in the act last week with his first two of the season.

McFall has completed 57 percent of his passes for 906 yards.

Herculaneum's offense revolves around Abate, a senior running back who has topped 1,000 yards for the second consecutive year. Abate has 1,023 yards rushing this season despite missing last week's game against Charleston.

Abate rushed for 256 yards on 20 carries in last year's game against Scott City.

"They're going to give him the rock. There's no doubt about that," May said. "As long as he's in there, he's gonna get it. I'd probably give it to him, too."

Herculaneum did show another weapon last week when Dustin Johnson rumbled for 214 yards in Abate's absence. Johnson, who only has 330 yards rushing this season, also had five catches for 75 yards.

Herculaneum quarterback Blake Womacks has completed 53 percent of his passes for 495 yards. Aaron Fuller leads the receivers with 19 catches for 180 yards.

Farmington (6-1) at Central (5-1)

Last week: Farmington 50, Jackson 14; Central 35, Poplar Bluff 20

Last year: Central 40, Farmington 28

Class 4 District 1: Farmington, Central, Sikeston (6-1), Perryville (1-6)

Outlook: This district again is stacked with three clear front-runners for the two playoff spots. Central and Sikeston entered district play unbeaten and Farmington had just one loss last year. Central and Sikeston ultimately advanced. This year all three teams have one loss.

"They're going to be out to make a statement," Central coach Nathan Norman said about Farmington.

This game also is a SEMO North Conference game. Both teams are 2-0 in league play.

Central rebounded from its first loss of the season with a conference win against Class 5 Poplar Bluff last week.

The Tigers rolled for more than 400 yards against the Mules, including 347 yards rushing. The Tigers averaged more than 10 yards a carry.

Junior Jacob Campbell had his biggest rushing night of the season with 169 yards on 11 carries. Sophomore Mikey Jones had 86 yards on eight carries and leads the team with 376 yards this season, averaging 8.4 yards a carry. Campbell has 275 yards and averages 9.8 yards per attempt. Senior quarterback Christian Cavaness has 274 yards rushing and 506 yards passing. He's completed 50 percent of his passes. Campbell is his top receiver with 158 yards on seven catches. Junior Garan Evans has a team-high eight receptions.

"We're going to try to play ball control and keep their offense off the field," Norman said. "That's our best defense."

Central got a glimpse of the explosive ability of Farmington in the preseason jamboree when the Knights moved the ball fluidly against the Tigers.

Senior Chase Busenbark, who has passed for 1,202 yards this season, directs a potent Farmington spread offense that has scored at least 45 points in five of its six wins. The Knights average 43.3 points a game and have outscored their opponents by 216 points this season. Their lone loss was a 45-17 loss to McCluer North, ranked seventh in Class 6.

Busenbark completed 15 of 17 passes against Jackson despite the absence of top receiver senior Doug Warren, who was ineligible after being ejected from the previous game.

"He makes good reads and he's confident back there in the pocket and relaxed," Norman said. "He's a good high school quarterback."

Warren leads the area with 469 yards receiving on 25 receptions despite sitting last week. Busenbark's other top targets are Evan Dunivan (19 catches, 350 yards), Kyle Hartrup (17, 284) and Alec Sebastian (15, 193).

Senior Connor DaVault leads the Knights' ground attack with 541 yards rushing. DaVault, who averages 6.4 yards a carry, accumulated 118 yards on 12 carries against Jackson.

Central junior safety Kyle Thompson probably will miss his second consecutive game with a shoulder injury. Senior offensive guard/defensive lineman Tevin Roper will miss tonight's game with a concussion. Sophomore Zack Stagner will replace Roper on offense. Senior outside linebacker Austin Martin is questionable with an ankle injury.

Jackson (1-6) at Poplar Bluff (1-6)

Last week: Farmington 50, Jackson 14; Central 35, Poplar Bluff 20

Last year: Jackson 36, Poplar Bluff 21

Class 5 District 1: Jackson, Poplar Bluff, Rockwood Summit (4-3), Seckman (2-4)

Outlook: Both teams are more than ready to hit the reset button for district play after recording just one win during the first seven weeks.

"Next year we're going to have a different format, but for this season you kind of start over," Jackson coach Van Hitt said. "Hopefully we're ready to play."

Rockwood Summit is the defending champion, while Seckman made the playoffs as the district runner-up.

Jackson and Bluff both are allowing more than 300 yards per game. Poplar Bluff is at the bottom of the conference, allowing 316 yards per contest. However, Jackson ranks at the bottom in offense at 169 yards per game.

Central gouged the Mules for 412 yards last week, including more than 300 yards rushing.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to do that also," Hitt said.

The Indians may feel like they're running a bit uphill with myriad injuries.

Junior quarterback Lowgn Wren will miss his second consecutive game with a sprained ankle. Wren played primarily running back in his last outing with season-high totals of 86 yards and 25 carries against Vashon.

Sophomore running back Colten Proffer, who leads the team with 338 yards rushing, is questionable with a groin strain. Junior Nick Cooper likely will get his first varsity start at running back and also replace Wren at cornerback. Senior Devan Wolphers likely will start at the other cornerback due to a leg injury to junior Brannon Wright.

Wright and senior Levi Rutherford (shoulder) will be missing at receiver, with junior Skyler Steele and sophomore Trea Forbs possibly filling in.

Sophomore Ty Selsor has been the primary quarterback the last three games and has gone 16 of 31 passing for 122 yards.

Poplar Bluff is second from last in the SEMO Northern Division with 255 yards per game.

Quarterback Michael Griggs and running back Austin Barousse lead the Poplar Bluff attack. Barousse had 126 yards rushing against Central last week to boost his season total to 539 yards. He averages 5.7 yards per carry. Griggs is the team's second-leading rusher with 217 yards. Griggs has passed for 744 yards and nine touchdowns but has completed just 44 percent of his passes.

Sikeston (6-1) at Perryville (1-6)

Last week: Sikeston 56, Kennett 0; Ste. Genevieve 72, Perryville 6

Last year: Sikeston 54, Perryville 7

Class 4 District 1: Sikeston, Perryville, Central (5-1), Farmington (6-1)

Outlook: Perryville went 0-3 in district play last season and will enter the final three weeks of this season as a decided underdog.

"It might be one of the toughest [districts] in the state," Perryville coach Mike Wojtczuk said.

Perryville has lost 18 of its last 19 games, while Sikeston has won 26 of its last 27 regular-season games.

Perryville has been outscored 143-6 since ending a 15-game losing streak in Week 4.

Sikeston enters with one of the area's top offensive teams, averaging 391 yards per game. Running back James Watson averages 9.5 yards per carry and is second in the area with 1,212 yards rushing. Kyland Gross averages more than 8 yards a carry and has 432 yards.

"Their main goal, like Ste. Genevieve, is they want to run the football, and they do a nice job with it," Wojtczuk said.

Quarterback David Foster has not been required to pass much, but he's been effective. He's completed 58 percent of his attempts for 555 yards and six touchdowns.

Sikeston also has had one of the area's stingiest defenses. Its 229 yards allowed per game leads the SEMO Northern Division teams.

"The main thing about them is they're disciplined and they don't make mistakes," Wojtczuk said. "When you're playing a football team as disciplined as they are, you've got to be flawless in every aspect of the game just to give yourself a chance."

Perryville has been beset by injuries in recent weeks. Perryville lost running back Kirk Hadler for the season several weeks ago, and backup Levi Zook did not play last week due to a neck injury but will return this week.

"We're starting to get some kids back slowly, but it seems like every time we get a kid back, a kid goes down," Wojtczuk said.

Along that line, quarterback Chris Zahner will not play after suffering a concussion last week. Cody Call will get the start.

-- Jeff Breer