PERRYVILLE, ST. VINCENT 1ST TO NAIL DOWN SPOTS

Perryville and St. Vincent already have qualified for quarterfinals, but going into the last week of district play, several area football districts are undecided.

Perryville (8-1) advances by virtue of its head-to-head wins over Hillsboro and Windsor, both 1-1 in Class 4A District 2. Even if the Pirates lose to DeSoto Friday, an unlikely scenario considering DeSoto's 0-2 district and 0-9 overall mark, they cannot lose.

St. Vincent (8-0 overall and 1-0 in Class 1A District 1) could lose to Hayti (0-8, 0-1) by an infinite number of points and still win the district.

The Indians have 13 points in the state's district tiebreaker system, by virtue of their 41-12 win over Chaffee. A team receives one point for each point it wins by, up to a maximum of 13 for each game.

Chaffee, which defeated Hayti 32-14 Friday night, has zero points. Hayti has (minus) 13.

If all three teams tied at zero, St. Vincent would win according to the third tiebreaker: superior overall record.

The second tiebreaker, record against common opponents, is void in this situation because St. Vincent shares no other common opponents with Hayti and Chaffee.

Regardless, a St. Vincent loss to Hayti is a long, long shot.

Class 2A District 2 comes down to one game, Scott City (8-1, 2-0) at Charleston (4-4, 2-0). With the other two teams in the district at 0-2, the winner advances regardless of score.

In Class 3A District 1, where all four teams are 1-1, Fredericktown is still alive, but will need help to win. If Fredericktown wins at Kennett Friday and Dexter beats New Madrid County Central, the Black Cats advance. Fredericktown owns the tiebreaker over Dexter, but not New Madrid.

Class 5A District 1 presents potentially the most confusing scenario.

If Cape Central wins at home against Poplar Bluff on Friday, the Tigers win the district. But if Central loses by eight or more points AND Jackson wins its game against Vianney, Poplar Bluff wins the district.

Jackson already has been eliminated.