POWER VS. SPEED: CHARLESTON, SCOTT CITY COLLIDE

The last three opponents unfortunate enough to encounter the Scott City Rams were nothing more than lambs led to the slaughter.

Scott City clubbed Hayti 51-8, Grandview 74-0 and Crystal City 69-13 over the last three weeks.

Before anyone accuses the Rams of a lack of mercy, consider that they led 51-0, 62-0 and 69-0 at halftime of the three games, which they were trying to use to prepare for an important game at the end of its district schedule.

That game is here, tonight. Scott City travels to Charleston to play for the Class 2A, District 2 championship at 7:30.

The Rams (8-1) can expect much greater resistance from the Blue Jays (4-4), who have won Class 3A district titles in four of last six years before moving into Class 2A this year.

"They're a very good team," Scott City coach Terry Flannigan said. "They have tradition, good coaching and great team speed."

Charleston's team speed is the intriguing factor. Scott City has played quality teams well (the Rams lost 13-12 to Perryville, the state's 10th ranked Class 4A team) but has not seen a team with outstanding speed.

On the other hand, the Rams own a major advantage in size and strength on both lines.

"We're banking on the fact that our speed can cause them some problems," Charleston coach Dan Kesselring said. "We're outweighed about 100 pounds per man on the lines. But for our size, our kids have played really well."

Charleston runs the option, which Scott City faced in its game against a bigger Perryville team.

The Blue Jays, however, may provide a better triple threat with quarterback Jason Ward, tailback Jeff Ewing and fullback Kevin Brown serving as weapons. Ewing has over 900 yards for the season.

Scott City's power running attack features tailback Matt Underwood. Quarterback Lance Amick and receiver Brandon Amick also give the Rams a home run threat.

"If they can line up and whip us, they deserve the championship," Flannigan said. "And if we can whip them, we deserve our due."

Scott City certainly proved its strength in recent weeks, but the questions remain: how will Charleston's speed affect the Rams? And how will Charleston's Class 3A success and tough schedule this season affect its performance against a strong 2A team?

"Well, everybody says we haven't played a really strong opponent, but we've done what we've had to do against the teams we've played," Flannigan said. "A few coaches have said we weren't able to do this or do that. That just adds gas to our fire."

Charleston, which only recently got its offensive backfield healthy, will start two players -- guard/linebacker Dan Shelby and linebacker Antoine Bigham -- who are banged up.

"You probably have to pick Scott City as the favorite," Kesselring said. "But we're going to approach the game like we're the team to beat.

"It's going to be the classic battle of speed vs. strength."

Fredericktown at Kennett

Fredericktown has not won a district championship since 1983.

Tonight, the Black Cats can put themselves in position with a win at Kennett, but they will need help to clinch. A Black Cats win coupled with a Dexter win over New Madrid puts Fredericktown in a Class 3A sectional Wednesday.

Kickoff is at 7:30 tonight. Fredericktown is 3-6 overall. Kennett is 6-3.

All four teams in Class 3A District 1 are 1-1. Fredericktown has beaten Dexter and lost to New Madrid. A head-to-head tiebreaker will be used to determine the district champ.

"Going in, you had to think New Madrid was probably number one based on their record, schedule and talent," Fredericktown coach Kent Gibbs said. "We had to be looked at as the longshots.

"But we feel like we've been getting better, and we feel good about the way we are able to run the football."

Jeremy Penwell leads Fredericktown with over 1,200 yards rushing.

Kennett also runs the ball well, with a sizable offensive line and 235-pound running back Trent Green, a punishing runner with breakaway speed.

"If he gets through the line, he's probably gone," Gibbs said. "We're going to (alternate) eight defensive linemen and try to get penetration."

Fredericktown's strong linebacking corps -- Derek Smith, Scott Stevens, Clay Hendrix and Tim Pirtle -- must have a good night for the Black Cats to win.

"We need to contain their running game," Gibbs said. "But both teams are going to run. What it comes down to is, the team that doesn't turn the ball over is probably going to win."

Fredericktown is plus-4 in turnover ratio for the season.

St. Vincent at Hayti

St. Vincent already has won the Class 1A, District 1 title. If all goes right, tonight's game will be a light warmup for sectional play.

Kickoff is at 7:30.

"Hopefully, we can put some points on the board early and let the backups and JV's finish it out," St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer said.

St. Vincent is 9-0 and coming off a 36-6 non-district victory over Missouri Military Academy last week. Chaffee is 0-9 and coming off a 32-14 loss to previously winless Chaffee last week.

The Indians beat Chaffee 41-12 in the first week of district play.

"Our numbers really help us out tremendously," Sauer said. "We're just a lot deeper than a lot of teams we play. Hayti has some pretty good speed and decent size. But they're young."

St. Vincent will play without defensive back Cory Strattman, who will be out the next 2-3 weeks with a broken collarbone. Justin Amschler, the Indians' backup quarterback will fill in for Strattman.