High school football season kicks off

The beginning of September marks a special time for area high school sports fans.

Driving through Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City, Chaffee and Perryville, the sounds of shoulder pads crunching and marching bands practicing fill the air. Those sounds can mean only one thing; another year of high school football is here.

High school football fever is not limited to the fans, of course, as coaches are just as excited to get their seasons under way.

"I was trying to do some school work and every five minutes football was popping in my head," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said.

Starting with tonight's tilt between Central and Eureka at Houck Stadium, five of the six area teams will open with home games. Friday's matchups include Jackson hosting Gosnell (Ark.), Scott City hosting Malden, Perryville hosting Windsor, St. Vincent hosting Priory and Chaffee traveling to Grandview.

And while only two of the area's six teams finished with winning records last season, a new season brings with it new hopes. Whether it's a bigger line in Jackson, a strong returning class at St. Vincent or a speedy running back at Scott City, every team starts the season on equal ground.

"Everybody's undefeated right now, with high hopes and great expectations for the season," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "We're eager to get the season started."

Central and Eureka kick off season

The first football game around the area pits a pair of teams who met in the state quarterfinals just two seasons ago. While the stakes for tonight's 7 p.m. matchup will not be as high between Eureka and Central, that does not mean the Tigers will not be motivated to get a little revenge.

Brookins said in order to beat a team like Eureka, the Tigers are going to have to work extremely hard.

"From the moment you step on the field, you'd better be ready to go to work," he said.

With plenty of question marks heading into the season opener, tonight's game will be a chance for Tiger players to show off their skills. While the Tigers do have several players back with varsity experience, including several starters, not one player on the roster actually played in the 2002 quarterfinal game against Eureka.

Brookins said he's excited to see how some of the more inexperienced players come through, but was encouraged by the play at Friday's jamboree.

"We found out good things about ourselves at jamboree," he said. "I'm feeling good about Cape Central."

Eureka will once again present a power game with several strong running backs. The Wildcats return 22 lettermen off a team that went 8-2 last season.

"He's got some veteran kids in some key places," Brookins said.

For the Tigers, several of the key positions will be manned by inexperienced players. At quarterback the Tigers will have to use sophomore Blake Slattery while senior Tyrone Reece recovers from an injury.

Gosnell (Ark.) at Jackson, 7 p.m.

Last year's records: Jackson 4-5; Gosnell 10-3

Last year's meeting: Did not play

Notes: Jackson opens up with small-school Arkansas power Gosnell. The Pirates were a state semifinal team a year ago and have Division I caliber athletes all over the field. The Indians will try to counter Gosnell's strong running game with a bigger, stronger front four. Jackson will try to run the ball as well, with a pair of experienced backs in Jason Meystedt and Austin Bock.

Quote: "They've got a nice sized offensive line and two good wing backs," Gross said. "They're just a really formidable football team."

Malden at Scott City, 7 p.m.

Last year's records: Scott City 3-7; Malden 3-7

Last year's meeting: Scott City 27, Malden 14

Notes: Scott City's veteran coaching staff should have the Rams ready for a home opener against the Green Wave. The Rams will have a new quarterback in Mark Johnston, but the return of 1,000-yard rusher Matt Schaefer should ease the transition.

Chaffee at Grandview, 7 p.m.

Last year's records: Chaffee 0-10; Grandview 1-9

Last year's meeting: Grandview 15, Chaffee 6

Notes: Grandview's lone win came against Chaffee last season. Chaffee should have an improved line, which could be the difference in the game.

Windsor at Perryville, 7 p.m.

Last year's records: Perryville 3-7; Windsor 5-5

Last year's meeting: Perryville 48, Windsor 35

Notes: Perryville won last year's meeting in a shootout, and this year could be much of the same. The Pirates should boast one of the more exciting offenses in the area with a steady diet of passing plays to go along with running back Matt Unterreiner. Unterreiner rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season and claimed all-state honors for his kickoff return abilities.

Priory at St. Vincent, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's records: St. Vincent 7-4; Priory 8-2

Last year's meeting: Priory 17, St. Vincent 10

Notes: St. Vincent could have the edge in this matchup after Priory lost much of its core from last season. The Indians should receive solid line play in front of running back Kyle Kline. With both teams featuring strong lines and backs to go along with new quarterbacks, a tight affair once again is likely.