Perryville, Scott City, St. Vincent work out kinks at football jamboree

~ Perryville held the upper hand in the scrimmage against Scott City, St. Vincent

Perrryville proved the most impressive offensively during Friday night's high school football jamboree at William Wilthong Field in Scott City.

The Pirates, 0-10 last season and 1-19 the past two years, scored two touchdowns against both Scott City and St. Vincent while allowing Scott City two touchdowns and St. Vincent one. Friday's session lasted nearly two hours and featured each team's offense running about 15 plays against the opposition's defense.

"It was a good experience for our kids to get some nervousness out," St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer said. "You see some things you need to work on."

The Class 4 Pirates are the largest school among the trio. They face a brutal schedule featuring seven teams that made the playoffs last season, including their first four opponents.

ABOVE: Scott City's Gordy Bradley tries to tackle Perryville running back Levi Zook during the jamboree Friday in Scott City.LEFT: St. Vincent's Jesse Francis is sandwiched between two Scott City defenders.BELOW: Perryville quarterback Chris Zahner drops back to throw.

"I'm pretty excited the way our offense is rolling right now," said Perryville coach Mike Wojtczuk, who began the summer as the Pirates' offensive coordinator before replacing Keith Winkler just last month.

Perryville's offense, directed by dual-threat first-year starting quarterback Chris Zahner, rolled to touchdowns on all four of its drives.

The Pirates piled up more than 300 yards during those four TD marches.

"We did a really nice job," Zahner said. "It all came together. We executed the way we were supposed to."

Zahner, a junior, threw for more than 100 yards and did significant damage on the ground. He also intercepted two passes from his defensive secondary position.

Perryville's Chris Zahner looks for an opening Friday, August 19, 2011 as Scott City High School hosts Perryville and St. Vincent's during the 2011 high school football jamboree. (Laura Simon)

"I felt real good," he said.

Zahner threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to senior Kirk Hadler, who also scored on an 8-yard run. Other Perryville touchdowns were scored by sophomore Jonny Pruiett on a 10-yard run and junior Levi Zook on a 5-yarder.

"We're pleased with the way the kids are running right now," Wojtczuk said.

On the negative side, Perryville's defense allowed three long touchdown passes, two from 80 yards and a 30-yarder.

"We still have a lot of work to do with our defensive backfield," Wojtczuk said.

Scott City quarterback Jonathan McFall passes against St. Vincent during the three-team jamboree Friday in Scott City . (Laura Simon)

Scott City did not score against St. Vincent -- although its JV did -- but the Rams also held the Indians off the board.

The Class 2 Rams, 2-8 last season, got their offense going against Perryville. First-year starting junior quarterback Jonathan McFall and senior Zach Cotner connected on scoring strikes of 80 and 30 yards.

"I'm pleased with the fire we showed. We like that," May said.

Said Scott City senior Jake Frey: "I think we did a really good job. I think we'll do good this season."

Class 1 St. Vincent, 3-7 a year ago, posted its lone touchdown against Perryville when seniors Tim Schumer and Sean Martin hooked up on an 80-yard catch-and-run.

"That was fun," said Schumer, who threw for nearly 200 yards.

Simply being on the field was fun for Schumer, the Indians' starting signal caller the past two years who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 of 2010.

"I'm perfectly fine now. I'm ready to get back to the season," Schumer said. "We looked good at times and there are things we need to work on."

That was the theme of the evening as the coaches and players gear up for Friday's season openers.

"This gave us a lot of confidence," Zahner said. "We're ready for Friday."

Perryville hosts Herculaneum in its first game under Wojtczuk.

"I probably won't sleep until then," said a laughing Wojtczuk.

Scott City kicks off the campaign by visiting Malden.

"We didn't get anybody hurt tonight," May said about a jamboree during which all three sides appeared to escape any significant injuries. "We'll come out healthy for Week 1. That's the main thing."

St. Vincent hosts Park Hills Central in its opener.

"We'll put a lot of work in between now and then," Sauer said.