RAMS OPEN WITH A BIG 2A TUSSLE

Nothing comes easy for Scott City at the beginning of the 1998 football season.

The Rams open against Missouri Class 2A power Malden at 7 p.m. Friday. In week two, they travel to Portageville to play last year's Southeast Missouri Conference South Division champion.

"Our first couple of games are a big test for us," Scott City coach Terry Flannigan said. "We'll know really quick who's gonna be the top dog and who has work to do."

The Rams lost to Malden 25-18 in district play last year en route to a 7-3 season. They have not beated Malden in Flannigan's three years with the team.

Scott City returns a senior-dominated team, including quarterback Lance Amick, a second-year starter. Junior Matt Underwood is the main ball carrier in the run-oriented offense.

Four offensive linemen return for Scott City, but 6-foot-1, 290-pound all-conference tackle Brandon Delrosa will miss the opener with an ankle injury. Ryan Steimle, a 6-3, 280-pound senior, will start in his place.

Malden, 6-4 last year with a pair of forfeit losses, is paced by SEMO Southern Division scoring leader Terrell Mathis.

"He's shifty," Flanigan said. "If he gets off and running I don't know if we're going to catch him. How well our team tackles is going to play a big role."

Carlyle (Ill.) at St. Vincent

St. Vincent has the weapons to pound the ball on the ground. Carlyle (Ill.) is big enough up front to stop it.

On Friday, the two Indians meet for the first time in a 7:30 p.m. game at St. Vincent.

St. Vincent, 8-3 last year, features four returning offensive linemen, Pat Lipe, Ryan Lindsey, Mike Winkler and Kyle Eggers. Returning quarterback Joey Ponder (6-feet-2, 190 pounds) and tailback Bryan Meyer, who gained 800 yards last year, operate behind the experienced line.

"We're hoping our offensive line can do the job for us," St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer said.

Carlyle started the season with a 14-7 victory over Vandalia.

Chaffee at Grandview

Establishing a running game is a priority in Chaffee's 1998 opener at 7:30 p.m. at Grandview.

Both teams struggled last year. Chaffee finished 2-7, fifth in the Southeast Missouri Conference Southern Division.

The Red Devils return eight starters on each side of the ball, and feature a strong passing attack with senior Matt Graham, a third-year starter, at quarterback. Graham has thrown for over 1,000 yards the last two seasons.

Last year, Chaffee lost to Malden in its opening. The Red Devils' last opening game win was against Hayti in 1994.

"The kids seem to be really upbeat," Chaffee coach Brian Horrell said. "We finished well last year (with one win and three close losses in the final four games). We hope that carries over."

Farmington at Perryville

Scouting Farmington is easy for Perryville, and vice versa.

"They're a mirror image of us," Perryville coach Jerry Tucker said. "They run the wishbone and they have a four man (defensive) front. In practice we play that offense and defense every day."

Farmington gave Perryville problems last year in the Knights' 28-14 district victory over the Pirates. Now in different districts, the game is not a do-or-die, but it sets the tone.

"It's a very meaningful game for us," Tucker said.

Perryville's offense rests on a senior-laden offensive line with good quickness and averaging 220-225 pounds, run blocking for senior quarterback Derek Cattoor, senior halfback Joel Heuring and 5-11, 200-pound converted guard Andy Hartling at fullback.

Park Hills at Fredericktown

If all goes according to plan offensively, Fredricktown and Park Hills will get everybody home to bed early Friday night.

Both offenses will keep the ball on the ground in a a 7:30 p.m. game at Fredricktown.

Jeremy Penwell, a 5-10, 175-pound senior gained 1,000 yards for Fredericktown last year. Park Hills returns most of a huge offensive line.

"With those big kids back, Park Hill is going to want to run the football," Fredericktown coach Kent Gibbs said. "And we want to shorten the game. We're not going to push anybody around, but we can't let them push us around."

Fredericktown was 2-8 last year, including a 23-6 win over Park Hills, which finished 1-9.

Kennett at Charleston

Last year, Charleston started the season with a 31-22 loss to Kennett and proceeded to lose three of its next four games.

The Blue Jays (5-5 in 1997) will try to turn the tables on Kennett (7-3 in 1997) in a 7:30 p.m. game Friday at Charleston.

"Any coach in the country will tell you the first ballgame is a big psychological factor," Charleston coach Dan Kesselring said. "The key is, we're going to be a lot smaller than they are. We have to stay down and not let their line push us around."

Kesselring will vary the looks of the Blue Jays I-option offense against Kennett. Senior quarterback Jason Ward, who won four of five games after taking the starting job in the second half of the 1997 season, leads the offense. Senior Jeff Ewing, a speedster who can turn the corner, is the feature back.