SCOTT CITY, CHAFFEE BOTH RIDE MOMENTUM INTO RIVALRY GAME

A week after knocking off Class 4A school Perryville 20-6 and completely shutting down the Pirates in the second half, one would think Class 2A Scott City wouldn't perceive Chaffee, a Class 1A school, as much of a threat.

To keep Scott City from becoming overconfident about tonight's matchup in Chaffee, all it has to do is remember Week 1 when Malden defeated the Rams 30-0.

Since then, the Rams (3-1) have made a statement, outscoring their opponents ten-fold, 120-12. Malden, meanwhile, has lost two -- including last week's loss to Dexter -- and won one.

"You don't want to look past anybody," said Scott City coach Roy Williams. "I've been looking at some old tapes and this looks like the best group of talent they've had in a while. I think it's got some of our players keyed up and concerned because they are so much better, actually and potentially, than they have been. I don't see it being a blowout for either one of us.

"They pass well and they run well. We're going to have to make sure we don't blow coverage on a receiver. We'll have to be focussed on everything we do. It'll be a big game for both communities."

Chaffee (2-2) is fresh off an exciting 38-32 win over winless Portageville.

"After they stumbled in Week 1 they seem to be rolling," Chaffee coach Allan Horrell said. "We hope we can build on last week's win and maybe take advantage of some mistakes. They're a big team up front and they like to power the ball right at you.

Scott City beat Chaffee 41-0 last year.

Brentwood at Perryville

Is this the week the 0-4 Pirates finally break into the win column?

"It better be the week," said Perryville coach Jerry Tucker of Saturday's contest with the St. Louis area squad. "It's homecoming week and we need one now to get this ship righted. It's time and these guys are frustrated and they're ready to do it. As a coaching staff, we've been riding them hard and as a team; they know haven't played to their capabilities."

Brentwood boasts a 3-1 record, but its wins have all been close games and have come against small schools. Perryville, a 4A school, lost to 2A Scott City last week 20-6. Perryville has also suffered losses to Farmington, Ste. Genevieve and Jackson.

"They're much improved over last year and have played some real close ballgames and know how to win at the end," Tucker said of Brentwood. "They run the wishbone, but they run a lot of lead option type stuff. Their quarterback is tough. They'll try to get outside on us for the most part."

St. Vincent at Crystal City

Crystal City barely has enough players on its roster to scrimmage, let alone beat the No. 4 ranked Class 1A team in the state tonight.

"I think our numbers will play a big role," St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer said. "They only have like 23 kids on varsity and hopefully that will be to our advantage."

St. Vincent dropped three spots in the media poll this week to No. 4 after suffering a 20-14 loss to Class 3A Herculaneum.

"They've got pretty good skill people and they're big up front," Sauer said of Crystal City (1-3). "We'll have to be good at the line of scrimmage and contain those running backs."

St. Vincent will try to get by without using starting fullback and linebacker Jeremy Best and starting free safety Anthony DeWilde, who are injured.

Fredericktown at Valle of Ste. Genevieve

The Black Cats will try to break the .500 barrier tonight when they play Valle of Ste. Genevieve.

Valle is 0-4 this season, suffering a 15-12 loss to Brentwood, a 41-20 loss to Farmington, a 33-0 loss to North County and a 13-12 loss to Potosi last week.

Fredericktown is coming off a 42-13 loss to Farmington.

Malden at Charleston

Tonight's contest is an intriguing matchup.

Charleston's only win in four tries came over a weak Caruthersville team in overtime.

Malden (2-2), after posting an impressive 30-0 win over Scott City in the opener, is in a tailspin after losing two of its last three games, including a loss to a previously winless team in Dexter last week.

Charleston took a 39-0 beating by New Madrid County Central last week.

Sikeston at Alton, Ill.

At 2-2, Sikeston hopes to move over the .500 mark via Alton, Ill., tonight.

Sikeston played Poplar Bluff tough last week, but lost to the SEMO North favorite 33-16.

The Bulldogs beat Alton last year 36-14, but Alton returns about everybody while Sikeston lost about everybody.

"This is a big game because it's a game we've got to win," Sikeston coach Charlie Vickery said. "We're at a pivotal point in the season."

Sikeston's Justin Robinson leads Southeast Missouri with 773 yards on 87 carries this year. He also has 10 touchdowns.