Prep football at a glance 9/27/02

Central (3-0) at North County (3-0)

Last week: Central 38, Blytheville (Ark.) 0; North County 13, Perryville 0

Last year: Central 53, North County 52 (2OT)

Notes: Central and North County ranked 1-2 in SEMO poll. Tigers rank fifth in Class 4 state poll. Central's victory over North County last year came in Class 4 sectionals. Teams could meet again in sectional this season. Tigers looking for first 4-0 start since 1977. Central's Monroe Hicks averaging over 200 yards offense a game --143 rushing and 60 receiving. Defenses of both teams have posted shutouts in last two games. Raiders' junior quarterback Adam Howard is averaging nearly 200 yards passing. Leading receiver Alex Winters sat out last game with hip flexor injury. Winters had 10 catches for 170 yards in last year's playoff game. Graves Co., Ky. (2-2) at Jackson (0-3)

Last week: Hopkinsville (Ky.) 19, Graves Co. 9; Pattonville 58, Jackson 13

Last year: Jackson 41, Graves Co. 20

Notes: Jackson has won the only three meetings between the schools with smallest margin of victory 16 points. Last time Indians started 0-4 was in 1992. Graves Co. has lost last two games to Kentucky powers Mayfield and Hopkinsville. Jackson sophomore Jason Meystedt is averaging 104 yards rushing per game and 5.6 yards per carry. Scott City (1-2) at Valle (0-3)

Last week: Scott City 14, East Prairie 0; St. Pius 14, Valle 0.

Last year: Did not play.

Notes: Teams haven't met since 1987 when Valle rolled to 42-0 victory. Sophomore Matt Schaefer, a 5-foot-4, 132-pound running back, rushed for 133 yards on 18 carries in win over East Prairie. Rams are homecoming guest for Warriors. Both teams have suffered two shutout losses and scored just 14 points on the season.

n Scott City coach Jason Burkman: "We're going to need a good game to beat Valle. They look solid at each position but I believe we'll match up well with them. Valle is 0-3 and it's their homecoming so they're going to be hungry for a win."Portageville (2-0) at Chaffee (0-3)

Last week: Portageville 56, Fulton (Ky.) 0; Crystal City 23, Chaffee 0

Last year: Portageville 49, Chaffee 0

Notes: Bulldogs have opened season with back-to-back shutouts, outscoring opponents 95-0. Chaffee is 1-12 in the last 13 meetings with the lone win a 38-32 victory in 1999; the Bulldogs have won both encounters since by shutout. Portageville running back Antonio Scott averages 120 yards rushing a game and 13.3 yards a carry (118 ypg). Running back Aaron Bidewell has scored four touchdowns in two games. Justin Gadberry will start at running back for Chaffee after taking over for injured Robert Coomer in the second half last week.

Chaffee coach Allan Horrell: "They are one of the most fundamental teams I've watched on tape. They don't make mistakes, and for us to play with them we have to eliminate our mistakes. We just want to hang close and maybe lightning will strike."St. Vincent (2-1) at Grandview (2-1)

Last week: St. Vincent 34, Potosi 12; Cuba 22, Grandview 21

Last year: St. Vincent 34, Grandview 6

Notes: MAFC opener for both teams. St. Vincent has dominated the series by winning all eight meetings since joining conference. Indians have won by average score of 45-6. St. Vincent is coming off its best offensive showing: Quarterback Chad Lane completed 11 of 15 passes for 208 yards and four touchdowns; Aaron Rellegert had five catches for 100 yards; and Chris Klein rushed for 100 yards. Grandview runs option with Dan Freihaut at the controls.

St. Vincent coach Keith Winkler: "We've handled them pretty well in the past, but they're a much improved ballclub this year. They don't want to throw, but they will it if you force them."Farmington (0-3) at Perryville (0-3)

Last week: NMCC 24, Farmington 21; North County 13, Perryville 0

Last year: Farmington 35, Perryville 0

Notes: Perryville looking for first points of season after suffering shutouts to Herculaneum, Ste. Genevieve and North County. Pirates moved ball against North County but lost three fumbles in red zone. Knights' top rushers from last season -- Dallas Bryant and Travis Thurston -- quit team.

Perryville coach Lance Bell: "They have basic plays, but they run them out of a bunch of formations and try to get you in some mismatches... Somebody's going to get their first win and if we play like we did against North County, I think we've got a good shot."

-- Jeff Breer