HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL'S PLAYOFF DASH OPENS FRIDAY

As far as the Missouri high school football playoff system goes, what teams have done through the first seven weeks of the season doesn't matter at all.

It's what happens over the next three weeks that will determine which teams qualify for the postseason and which teams will hang up their gear once the regular campaign ends.

Friday night begins the all-important district schedule for teams across the state. Most districts consist of four teams, although a few have three. Everybody plays everybody else and the district champion qualifies for the playoffs.

There are seven districts which feature local squads. Some of them appear to contain clear-cut favorites while others look to be wide open.

But regardless of how the districts shape up on paper, the bottom line is that -- for all practical purposes -- everybody is 0-0 right now.

Following is a brief look at each local district:

Class 5A, District 1

Defending champion Poplar Bluff (6-1) and Jackson (6-1) appear to be the top contenders, with a showdown looming in Jackson in two weeks.

Vianney (2-5) has played a murderous schedule and could be dangerous while Cape Central (1-6) just picked up its first win and is a longshot.

This week's games: Cape Central vs. Poplar Bluff and Jackson vs. Vianney.

Class 4A, District 1

Defending champion North County (7-0) and Farmington (7-0) are both state-ranked and looking extremely strong, with a showdown on the last date of the regular season.

Sikeston (4-3) has the potential to be a spoiler while Potosi (1-6) should bring up the rear.

This week's games: North County vs. Sikeston and Farmington vs. Potosi.

Class 4A, District 1

Hillsboro (5-2) and De Soto (4-3) have the winning records, but Windsor (3-4) and defending champion Perryville (2-5) should also contend in what appears to be a fairly balanced race.

This week's games: Perryville vs. Windsor and Hillsboro vs. De Soto.

Class 3A, District 1

This is the only area district in which every team has a winning record.

Defending champion New Madrid County Central (6-1) ranks as the favorite, but Kennett (6-1), Dexter (5-2) and Fredericktown (4-3) have all had solid seasons.

This week's games: New Madrid vs. Kennett and Fredericktown vs. Dexter.

Class 2A, District 1

Defending champion Malden (5-2) should breeze to the title.

Portageville (2-5) appears to be the only potential threat to the Green Wave, with Caruthersville (1-6) and East Prairie (0-7) ranking as two of the area's worst teams.

This week's games: Malden vs. East Prairie and Caruthersville vs. Portageville.

Class 2A, District 2

Scott City (6-1) is the clear favorite to defend its title, with only young and struggling Charleston (1-5) appearing to having any remote shot at all of pulling off an upset.

Grandview (2-5) and Crystal City (1-6) should bring up the rear.

This week's games: Scott City vs. Grandview and Charleston vs. Crystal City.

Class 1A, District 1

Defending champion and 1A state runnerup St. Vincent (6-1) ranks as the solid favorite but could receive a challenge from improving Chaffee (3-4).

Hayti (1-6) figures to bring up the rear.

This week's game: St. Vincent vs. Chaffee.

DISTRICT FOOTBALL

Class 5A, District 1

Poplar Bluff (6-1)

Jackson (6-1)

Vianney (2-5)

Cape Central (1-6)

Class 4A, District 1

North County (7-0)

Farmington (7-0)

Sikeston (4-3)

Potosi (1-6)

Class 4A, District 1

Hillsboro (6-1)

De Soto (4-3)

Windsor (3-4)

Perryville (2-5)

Class 3A, District 1

New Madrid County Central (6-1)

Kennett (6-1)

Dexter (5-2)

Fredericktown (4-3)

Class 2A, District 1

Malden (5-2)

Portageville (2-5)

Caruthersville (1-6)

East Prairie (0-7)

Class 2A, District 2

Scott City (6-1)

Charleston (1-5)

Grandview (2-5)

Crystal City (1-6)

Class 1A, District 1

St. Vincent (6-1)

Chaffee (3-4).

Hayti (1-6)