Perryville, St. Vincent renew football rivalry

Only in Perryville where a Class 4 public school and a Class 1 private school can have a football rivalry, and one where the Class 1 team has the advantage.

But the real winner of this rivalry is the town of Perryville itself.

“In years past, I always thought it kind of meant more to the community,” Perryville coach Brent Roth said. “You’re playing against your cousins and your brothers and everything like that. You got family members out there who are going to be wearing green sitting on the home side and wear blue and sitting on the visitor side, so it's just it's a cool event.”

The rivalry restarted in 2016 after a long lull and now takes on a new form with both teams playing in the same conference.

"I remember the practice where Coach [Bruce] Valleroy told us coaches that next year this might happen and everybody was like, 'Are you serious?' because at that point we hadn't played in like 50 years," said Tim Schumer, who is in his sixth season coaching the Indians. "We played like JV or freshman games, like lower level games, but we hadn't played anything varsity-wise up until that point. So it was a big deal."

St. Vincent has won six of seven games, including five straight. The Indians outscored the Pirates 95-14 in the last three matchups. This time around, the Pirates enter the rivalry with the better record. As bizarre as it looks, the Pirates went from a 55-0 loss in Week 1 against Oakville to a 12-0 win in Week 2. Since Rilaynd Graham took over as starting quarterback dating back to last season, the Pirates are 4-4. Both Perryville scores last week came on passing touchdowns from Graham, a 35-yarder to Gavin Hemmann, and a 10-yard toss to Barrett Wheeler.

Perryville quarterback Rilaynd Graham talks to a fan during the midnight game last month at Perryville High School. Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

So far on the season. Graham has completed 24 of 34 passes for 308 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.

"He's just kind of a baller," Roth said. He just mixes things up when the play breaks down. He's got the ability to get out of the pocket and he's very smart. When there's pressure in his face, he doesn't black out, he stays calm."

St. Vincent is looking for its first win of the season after falling on the road to Thayer 21-18 and 16-14 against Scott City. The Indians offense is led by senior quarterback Christian Schaaf, who threw both of his touchdown passes to tight end Jacob Schremp against Thayer, and another TD to Simon Barber at Scott City.

"We're five points away from 2-0," Schumer said. "I told our guys last night that our goal is always conference champions first, take care of the games in our conference that will put us in a good spot for districts and we start conference play this week."