PREP FOOTBALL STARTS SECOND SEASON FRIDAY WITH DISTRICTS

The second season has started in Missouri high school football with district competition beginning this Friday all over the state.

Several area teams look to have a good shot at advancing into the state playoffs with district championships. Some districts have a clear-cut favorite, but others look wide open.

A look at the districts with local relevance:

Class 5A, District 1

Top to bottom, this district looks the most competitive of any in the area.

Despite differing records, all four teams -- Jackson, Cape Central, Sikeston and Poplar Bluff -- appear to have a shot at claiming the district crown Jackson won last year. The final three games are also doubly meaningful because these same teams comprise the SEMO North Conference.

Jackson (7-0) is the only undefeated team in the area, and has rolled through its schedule with surprising ease. The Indians schedule hasn't been the most competitive, with their opponents combining for a .460 winning percentage, but Jackson has handily beaten solid squads Riverview Gardens (5-2), Hannibal (6-1, No. 10 in Class 4A) and Lutheran North (5-2).

Cape Central (6-1) enters with the same record as last year, but the Tigers hope to find more success in their final three games. Last year the Tigers lost all three district games to finish 6-4.

Central's schedule was the weakest in the district, with its opponents combining for a .451 winning percentage. The Tigers weren't challenged in any of their victories and lost to 7-1 Marshall County (Ky.) in their only real test.

Sikeston (3-3) has played the toughest schedule, by far, but the Bulldogs had a hard time keeping some of their games close. Sikeston's opponents combined for a .636 winning percentage, but the Bulldogs were pounded in losses to Mayfield, Ky. (7-1), CBC (6-1, 10th in 5A) and New Madrid (5-2).

Poplar Bluff (4-3) has also logged a tough schedule, but the Mules might play tougher than their record indicates with the recent addition of tailback Jeric Blackmon, who ran for over 1,300 yards last year.

Blackmon started the season suspended from the Mules, but a court order put him back on the team. After serving an additional three-game suspension, Blackmon has rushed for over 100 yards the past two weeks in his first games back.

The Mules have played three state-ranked teams, with two of the games being very competitive. Bluff knocked Waynesville (6-1) out of the 4A rankings with a win, got blown out by 5A No. 6 Jefferson City (5-1) and lost 20-13 to undefeated Arkansas-power Osceola (7-0).

The Mules opponents combined for a .571 winning percentage.

Class 4A, District 1

North County (7-0) has its eye on a state title and the Raiders --ranked second in Class 4A -- should make it through their district without any problems.

Perryville (3-4), Potosi (4-3) and Farmington (2-5) all look fairly equal, but should be no match for the Raiders. Those three teams will likely battle for second in the district.

Class 3A, District 1

New Madrid won this district last year with just a .500 record overall. The Eagles (5-2) should emerge on top again with a much better mark and an opportunity to make a run at the 3A title.

Kennett (5-2) started its season with a surprise victory over Charleston and has continued to play well. Dexter (2-5) played a rugged schedule and has won the games it should have. Caruthersville (1-5) has struggled offensively and won't likely be a factor.

Class 3A, District 2

Ste. Genevieve (6-1) is state-ranked and the clear-cut favorite to win this district. The seventh-ranked Dragons only loss came to state-ranked North County.

Last year's champ Charleston (3-4) could provide the only challenge to the Dragons. Fredericktown (1-6) and Park Hills (0-7) should be an interesting game only to see if the Rebels can gain a victory this year.

Class 2A, District 1

Not only will the district championship be at stake between these four teams, but the SEMO South champion will also be decided.

Malden, despite its 0-2 record in the conference as a result of two forfeit losses, looks like the favorite to repeat last year's district title. The Green Wave record stands at 4-3 overall.

The other three teams -- Scott City (6-1), Portageville (5-2) and East Prairie (3-4) -- are all 2-0 in the conference and could pose a challenge to Malden.

Scott City has won impressively against a weak schedule. Five of the Rams six wins came against teams with only one victory. Portageville has been steady and East Prairie unpredictable. The Eagles lost to Caruthersville 13-12 in week 5, the Tigers only win so far.

Class 1A, District 1

Last year St. Vincent won the district title, but the state-ranked Valle Warriors look like the favorite this time.

With district realignment next year, it will be the last time these two parochial schools battle for the district crown for a while.

The Warriors, ranked third in Class 1A with a 5-2 mark, played its typical tough schedule with bigger schools in the Mineral Area Athletic Association Conference. Valle's two losses came to state-ranked teams North County and Ste. Genevieve.

St. Vincent (5-2) should provide the Warriors only challenge in the district. Chaffee (1-5) and Hayti (1-6) have yet to win a game on the field. Both teams earned forfeit victories over Malden.