High school football | Week 10

Thursday

Sikeston (1-8) at Central (2-7), 7 p.m.

* Last week's games: West Plains 42, Central 20; Poplar Bluff 21, Sikeston 13

* Last year's meeting: Sikeston 37, Central 8

* Notes: Central's district title hopes were dashed in a road loss to West Plains. The Tigers have matched their win total from last year to this point with wins over the same two teams from last season. Sikeston also sits in the same position it did coming into the season finale last season, with its lone win again over Kennett. Neither team has performed well on defense this season, holding opponents to 14 points or less a combined two times.

Charleston (6-3) at Scott City (3-6), 7 p.m.

* Last week's games: Crystal City 50, Scott City 6; Charleston 47, Grandview 13

* Last year's meeting: Charleston 37, Scott City 19

* Notes: Just the opposite of last year, both teams enter the contest with no hopes of a district title. One of Scott City's weaknesses this season has been stopping opponents with team speed, something Charleston possesses. Bluejays running back Joseph Watts has rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season while averaging more than seven yards a carry. Wide receiver Jamarcus Williams uses his 6-foot-4 frame to provide the Blue Jays with a big-threat weapon on the outside. Williams is averaging more than 20 yards per reception.

Chaffee (0-9) at Valle (7-2), 7 p.m.

* Last week's games: Valle 26, St. Vincent 0; Hayti 38, Chaffee 0

* Last year's meeting: Valle 40, Chaffee 0

* Notes: Valle won the district title last week with a rout of defending Class 1 state champion St. Vincent. Chaffee is on the verge of a third straight winless season and has a losing streak of 33 games. Chaffee running back Kent Courtney has been steady for the Red Devils, gaining close to 1,000 yards on the ground this season. Valle receiver-turned-tailback Jay Pope rushed for more than 100 yards and had 80 yards receiving in the win over St. Vincent.

St. Vincent (6-3) at Hayti (6-2), 7 p.m.

* Last week's games: Valle 26, St. Vincent 0; Hayti 38, Chaffee 0

* Last year's meeting: St. Vincent 37, Hayti 16

* Notes: Defending Class 1 state champion St. Vincent had its district hopes crushed last week by Valle. St. Vincent was limited to 88 yards on the ground against the Warriors, while quarterback Tim Guilliams threw for 114 yards. Hayti quarterback Anthony Guyton has thrown for more than 1,000 yards this season, with receiver Standrique Matlock his top threat. Matlock is averaging more than 16 yards a catch.

Friday

Jackson (5-4) at Seckman (1-8), 7 p.m.

* Last week's games: Eureka 24, Jackson 10; Rockwood Summit 44, Seckman 24

* Last year's meeting: Jackson 21, Seckman 6

* Notes: The Indians will be fighting for a second consecutive winning season in a battle of teams searching for a first district win. Jackson held Eureka to just 10 points on offense but had two fumbles returned for scores in a narrow loss. Despite forcing run-dominated Eureka to rely on the pass, the Indians could not overcome six turnovers. Also in the loss, Jackson lost starting quarterback Rex Meyr to a shoulder injury. Senior running back Joel Penrod has rushed for 880 yards this season and could make a push for 1,000 yards with a strong showing against a Seckman defense that has allowed 85 points in the last two games. Alex Austin likely will start at quarterback for the Indians. Justin Hamrick leads Seckman with 530 yards rushing on 109 carries. Seckman quarterback Jacob Seiler has thrown for 326 yards on 18 of 51 passing. Seckman has allowed 24 or more points in each of its last seven games.

Perryville (0-9) at Dexter (6-3), 7 p.m.

* Last week's games: Kennett 21, Perryville 20 OT; Dexter 34, NMCC 7

* Last year's meeting: Perryville 47, Dexter 41 3OT

* Notes: Perryville lost its second one-point game this season last week against Kennett and will try to avoid a winless season. But Dexter, which already has clinched the district for its first title since 2002, will be looking for some revenge after seeing its district hopes dashed with Perryville's triple-overtime win last season. The Bearcats are led by running back Alex Becker, who has rushed for more than 1,300 yards this season. Dexter has outscored its first two district opponents 80-7.

-- Jeremy Joffray