RAMS STEP BACK IN RING, ATTEMPT TO KO BEARCATS

The Scott City Rams made it through Week 1 of the high school football season with a 12-3 season-opening victory over St. Vincent and now have their sights set on their next home challenge tonight -- the Dexter Bearcats.

"The win over St. Vincent was a big milestone for us," said Scott City coach Terry Flannigan, who's team has struggled over the years early in the season. "We're taking (this season) like a 10-round fight; Round 2 comes Friday night."

Dexter, coming off a 37-0 loss at Poplar Bluff, looks like the perfect opponent for the Rams to deliver a knockout blow. Five turnovers -- four interceptions and a fumble -- doomed the Bearcats last week.

Despite the lopsided loss, Flannigan expects a tough battle from Dexter. Last year, the Rams had an extra point blocked and the Bearcats scored a two-point conversion that proved to be the difference in a 14-13 Dexter win.

"The Poplar Bluff score doesn't do them justice," Flannigan said. "All I know is in the Jamboree, we had trouble with Fredericktown and Dexter played very well against them."

Flannigan and Dexter coach Kevin Collier played their JV units against each other in the pre-season Jamboree, saving their starters for tonight's big game.

Rams' quarterback Lance Amick enters the Dexter game as the leading passer in the area with 140 yards on 11-of-15 passing.

Chaffee (0-1) at Gosnell, Ark. (1-0)

Struggling to beat Missouri foes the past few seasons, the Red Devils will leave the state in search of victory.

Chaffee will face the Gosnell (Ark.) Pirates, who have had plenty of success against Missouri teams recently. Last week, Gosnell outscored Portageville 42-32 and last year beat Chaffee 41-10.

Ivan Brown looks like Gosnell's big-play threat, scoring on touchdown runs of 48 and 64 yards at Portageville. He also caught a 21-yard touchdown pass.

Sophomore running back Tommy Stidham totalled 101 yards on 17 carries in the Red Devils 38-0 home-opening loss to Malden.

Ste. Genevieve (1-0) at Perryville (1-0)

The Ste. Genevieve Dragons appear to be loaded this year, as their No. 8 Class 3A ranking in the state indicates.

But in case there was any doubt, the Dragons knocked off a formidable New Madrid County Central squad 14-12 last Friday in Ste. Genevieve. The Eagles are ranked 10th in the 3A poll despite their 0-1 start.

Perryville, coming off a 28-13 win in Jerry Tucker's debut as the Pirates' head coach, will try to run over the Dragons with their Wishbone attack. In last week's win, Ben Kohm led the Pirates' ground game with 174 yards and three scores.

Last year, Ste. Genevieve scored 23 fourth-quarter points to come back for a 29-15 win.

Fredericktown (0-1) at St. Vincent (0-1)

The Black Cats will make a return trip to Perryville to face St. Vincent after falling to the Perryville Pirates 28-13 last week.

St. Vincent will also be looking for its first win of the season after falling at Scott City 12-3 last week.

Last year, St. Vincent won 29-13 in a physical contest between two experienced teams. The Indians went on to a 9-2 record and Class 1A playoff spot. Fredericktown finished 3-7.

This year, both teams are young and inexperienced. St. Vincent struggled offensively in its loss, but junior quarterback Joey Ponder did manage 94 yards on 8-of-17 passing in his first varsity start.

Fredericktown got 146 yards and a touchdown from junior Jeremy Penwell.

Charleston (0-1) at Sikeston (1-0)

Sikeston heads into this local rivalry without leading rusher Mark Blissett after he injured his knee at Carbondale, Ill., in the third quarter of last week's 45-27 win over the Terriers.

Blissett, who led the area in rushing last season with over 1,500 yards and had 147 before the injury, will be out for at least a month according to Sikeston coach Charlie Vickery.

"We were fearful (the injury) was worse than it is," said Vickery. "But there was no major damage and if he responds to treatment, he could be back by the middle of the season."

Sophomore Justin Robinson will take Blissett's spot in the backfield.

Charleston suffered a surprising 31-22 loss at Kennett last week and even with Blissett out, may struggle against the Bulldogs. Last year, the Blue Jays broke a six-year losing streak against Sikeston with a 27-21 win.

Charleston's all-state running back Larico Coleman ran for 109 yards in the Kennett loss.

TONIGHT'S GAMES

Hillsboro at Cape Central

Vashon at Jackson

Charleston at Sikeston

Poplar Bluff at Blytheville, Ark.

Dexter at Scott City

Chaffee at Gosnell, Ark.

East Prairie at New Madrid

Hayti at Malden

Caruthersville at Portageville

Pocahontas, Ark. at Kennett

Ste. Genevieve at Perryville

Fredericktown at St. Vincent

Benton at Anna-Jonesboro