High school football: Week 8

Thursday, 7 p.m.

Poplar Bluff (2-5) at Central (2-5)

* Last week's games: Fort Zumwalt North 35, Central 21; Poplar Bluff 17, Jackson 10

* Last year: Central 31, Poplar Bluff 28

* Notes: The Mules come into the district opener with plenty of momentum following a victory at home against conference leader Jackson last week. Poplar Bluff held a banged up Jackson rushing attack to just 35 yards on the ground. Central's top rusher, Hykeem Hammonds, saw limited action last week after hurting his ankle in the first half. The Tigers led 21-20 at the half but were outscored 15-0 in the second half for their second straight loss.

Friday (all games 7 p.m.)

Jackson (5-2) at Eureka (4-3)

* Last week's games: Poplar Bluff 17, Jackson 10; Parkway Central 28, Eureka 21

* Last year: Eureka 24, Jackson 10

* Notes: Jackson was without leading rushers Trae Smith and Cody Randen for basically the entire game last week and could not muster a rushing attack. Rex Meyr threw a season-high 30 passing attempts for 280 yards. Alex Austin had 138 yards receiving. Eureka remains a run-dominated team, led by Antonio Evans' 632 yards and nine touchdowns. "They're bigger than Dallas up front, and they just line up and run that power-I at you," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "They're a booger to defend. And then you turn around on offense and they use those same big bodies." Eureka has lost three straight, starting its skid with a loss to Parkway North, which also beat Jackson this season.

Scott City (4-3) at Grandview (0-7)

* Last week's games: Scott City 28, Hayti 19; St. Vincent 60, Grandview 32

* Last year: Scott City 20, Grandview 19

* Notes: Cody Carlyle rushed for 134 yards and scored all four touchdowns for the Rams in their upset win against Hayti last week. Carlyle scored on a hook-and-ladder play for the second time in three weeks. Scott City has won three straight. Grandview has allowed an average of 43 points a game this season after giving up 60 to St. Vincent last week, allowing the Indians to exceed their season total.

Chaffee (2-5) at St. Vincent (3-4)

* Last week's games: Malden 28, Chaffee 7; St. Vincent 60, Grandview 32

* Last year: St. Vincent 42, Chaffee 8

* Notes: St. Vincent surpassed its season point total with a 60-point outburst against winless Grandview last week. Greg Finger had five touhdown runs, and Chris Fischer had three. Chaffee's defense had a strong showing last week, limiting Malden to seven points through three quarters and less than 300 yards on the ground for the game. Chaffee's last win over St. Vincent came in 1993.

Dexter (6-1) at Perryville (4-3)

* Last week's games: Perryville 7, Herculaneum 6; Dexter 28, Caruthersville 16

* Last year: Dexter 6, Perryville 0

* Notes: The last two meetings between Dexter and Perryville have been decided by six points apiece, including 2004's memorable 47-41 triple overtime affair. The Bearcats are riding a five-game winning streak thanks to a punishing defense and running attack. Zach Ventura rushed for 199 yards and three touchdowns in last week's win against Caruthersville, and 149 yards and three scores against Charleston in Week 6. Kris Cottner, the Pirates' top offensive weapon, had 88 yards rushing last week before leaving the game with an injury in the first half. Brian Birchler picked up 49 yards on 15 carries and scored a touchdown.

-- Jeremy Joffray