Modest changes to districts will affect four area squads

~ Perryville and Central will remain with same district opponents for the next two-year cycle.

Football coaches across the state checked the Internet with keen interest Thursday when new district assignments for the 2006 and 2007 seasons were posted by the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

Four of the six area football teams were affected by the district announcements, although none of the schools changed classifications.

St. Vincent and Chaffee remained together with Hayti in the same district in Class 1, although the name changed to District 2. Portageville moved down from Class 2 and replaced Valle Catholic, which stayed in Class 1 District 1 and will be joined by Brentwood, Louisiana and Vandalia.

"We kind of thought there was a possibility we would go north with them [Valle]," St. Vincent coach Keith Winkler said. "We're happy where we're at with the travel situation. We have a couple familiar faces with Chaffee and Hayti."

This will be the first meeting between Portageville and St. Vincent during Winkler's tenure as St. Vincent coach.

"I've got to see them a few times on film," Winkler said.

Portageville's move down will cause some minor changes in scheduling for Chaffee and St. Vincent. Portageville is a conference opponent for Chaffee, so the Red Devils will have to find a new opponent for their regular-season schedule. Valle is a conference opponent for St. Vincent and will remain on the Indians' schedule.

"Valle's a big rivalry," Winkler said. "We'll play them Week 3 now."

Scott City coach Terry Flannigan has plenty of history with the new team in the Rams' district. Festus St. Pius, which will replace Charleston in Class 2 District 2, was a district opponent of Scott City's during Flannigan's first tenure with the Rams.

Flannigan said the last time Scott City played St. Pius in district play, the two teams matched up well, and he thinks that will be the case once again.

"I think maybe we can match up better with Pius than Charleston," Flannigan said. "I think it may help us a bit."

With the Bluejays moving into District 1 along with Caruthersville, East Prairie and Malden, Scott City will be in a district with three Mississippi Area Football Conference Blue Division teams. The Rams will have to travel more than an hour to reach any of their district opponents.

"We're used to traveling, going up there for Crystal City and Grandview," Flannigan said. "So we're used to that drive anyway."

Jackson, the only area Class 5 school, also will face a familiar newcomer to its district. Parkway West, which was in a district with Jackson in 2002 and 2003, replaces Rockwood Summit in Class 5 District 1. Eureka and Seckman will once again round out District 1.

"At least we're familiar with them," Jackson coach Carl Gross said.

The Indians also finalized their schedule on Thursday, picking up three new nonconference opponents -- Francis Howell Central for the opener, Parkway North and Clayton. Clayton was a Class 4 quarterfinalist last season.

"There's nothing going to be thrown at us in our district that will surprise us," Gross said. "We'll have already seen the big boys."

Central will again be in Class 4 District 1 with Poplar Bluff, Sikeston and West Plains. Perryville's district also remained the same. The Pirates are joined by Kennett, New Madrid County Central and Dexter in Class 3 District 1.

Warmack signs with Southwest Minnesota State

Jackson senior Nathan Warkmack signed with Southwest Minnesota State on Wednesday to play football for the Mustangs next season.

Warmack finished with 53 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks during his senior campaign for the Indians. The 6-foot-3, 270 pound Warmack earned first-team all-SEMO North Conference on the defensive line this past season.

Southwest Minnesota State is an NCAA Division II school which plays in the Northern Sun Conference. The Mustangs finished 4-7 last season.

"Nathan was a good player for us," Gross said. "He had a good year."

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FOOTBALL DISTRICTS

Football district assignments for 2006 and 2007, with enrollments, as released by the MSHSAA on Thursday:

Class 1 District 2

Chaffee (211)

Hayti (248)

Portageville (250)

St. Vincent (243)

Class 2 District 2

Crystal City (325)

Festus St. Pius X (443)

Hillsboro Grandview (282)

Scott City (330)

Class 3 District 1

Dexter (590)

Kennett (549)

New Madrid County (515)

Perryville (734)

Class 4 District 1

Central (1,364)

Poplar Bluff (1,254)

Sikeston (1,101)

West Plains (1,188)

Class 5 District 1

Eureka (1,625)

Jackson (1,572)

Parkway West (1,463)

Seckman (1,749)

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MSHSAA ENROLLMENTS

Enrollments for local high schools as released on the Missouri State High School Activities Association's Web site on Thursday (By size, with class breaks for five-class sports):

Class 1 (130 and below)

Zalma 71

Leopold 78

Delta 99

Bell City 107

Scott County Central 108

Oak Ridge 117

Oran 122

Class 2 (131-249)

Saxony Lutheran 142

Advance 149

Meadow Heights 187

Chaffee 211

St. Vincent 243

Class 3 (250-572)

Woodland 283

Scott City 330

Kelly 344

Class 4 (573-1,188)

Notre Dame 661

Perryville 734

Class 5 (1,189 and above)

Central 1,364

Jackson 1,572