High school football: Week 9

High school football | Week 9

Thursday, 7 p.m.

West Plains (3-5) at Central (3-5)

* Last week's games: Central 23, Poplar Bluff 20; West Plains 54, Sikeston 13

* Last year: West Plains 42, Central 20

* Notes: Central's defense forced seven turnovers in a win against Poplar Bluff. Cantrell Andrews and Blake Slattery each had two interceptions, and Andrews returned one for a touchdown. The Tigers played without starting running back Hykeem Hammonds against the Mules. West Plains came into district play 2-5, but played close against a strong Camdenton team earlier this season.

Friday (all games 7 p.m.)

Parkway West (6-2) at Jackson (5-3)

* Last week's games: Eureka 30, Jackson 22; Parkway West 43, Seckman 26

* Last year: did not meet

* Notes: Jackson's defense could not hold down Eureka in its district opener, and will face a tall task against Parkway West. The Longhorns, a district newcomer, have a balanced attack led by quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who has thrown for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns. He averages more than 13 yards a pass and has rushed for 263 yards. Steve May leads the rushing attack with 992 yards and 14 touchdowns. A week after falling short against Eureka, Jackson needs a victory to keep its district championship hopes alive.

Crystal City (7-1) at Scott City (5-3)

* Last week's games: Scott City 57, Grandview 6; Crystal City 49, St. Pius 0

* Last year: Crystal City 50, Scott City 6

* Notes: Crystal City is ranked sixth in Class 2 and brings an explosive running attack to Scott City. The Hornets have three backs who have scored 10 or more touchdowns, led by Cody DeRousse. DeRousse has rushed for 1,115 yards and 14 scores. Danny James has 840 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Demetrius Terry has 667 yards and 10 touchdowns. All three backs average more than nine yards a carry. The Rams also have a strong running attack -- Cody Carlyle rushed for 205 yards and three TDs last week -- and have won four straight games.

Hayti (6-2) at Chaffee (2-6)

* Last week's games: St. Vincent 35, Chaffee 3; Hayti 42, Portageville 12

* Last year: Hayti 38, Chaffee 0

* Notes: Hayti bounced back from its loss to Scott City with a convincing win over Portageville. The Indians had won four straight games before falling to the Rams and have won five of their last six. Chaffee has lost four straight and is still looking to match its highest win total since 2000 with its third win.

Perryville (4-4) at New Madrid County Central (6-2)

* Last week's games: Dexter 31, Perryville 0; NMCC 41, Kennett 0

* Last year: NMCC 34, Perryville 14

* Notes: New Madrid running back Marquese Gates leads the Eagles with more than 700 yards on the ground this season. The Eagles have averaged more than 28 points a game on offense this season. Perryville's offense has struggled in recent weeks with just 21 points over its last four games.

St. Vincent (4-4) at Portageville (0-7)

* Last week's games: St. Vincent 35, Chaffee 3; Hayti 42, Portageville 12

* Last year: did not meet

* Notes: St. Vincent asserted itself in its district opener by posting its second-highest point total on offense this season. The Indians have scored 95 points in their last two games after scoring 53 through six games. Portagevile has allowed 35 points or more in all seven games, and offensively Portageville's 12 points last week was a season-high.

-- Jeremy Joffray