SCOTT CITY OPENS DISTRICT QUEST WITH PORTAGEVILLE

The high school football season has reached the point in the year when every game is important and the cries of "must win" are heard frequently.

Contrary to what some may think, there will be other football games Friday night besides the clash between Cape Central and Jackson when district gridiron action opens. The matchup between the Scott City Rams and Portageville Bulldogs in Scott City is shaping up to a dandy.

"You might as well flip a coin because I really don't know how this one's going to turn out," said Portageville coach Kevin Freeman.

Both teams return several starters from last year's contest that the Bulldogs won 18-0. Scott City enters with a five-game win streak and 6-1 mark. Portageville (5-2) has won two straight. Both have 2-0 records in the SEMO South Conference.

Portageville's got the speed and Scott City the size so contrasting styles will be on display.

"I don't care how big you are, if you can't move, the other team's going to run right by you," said Scott City coach Terry Flannigan. "We don't have (Portageville's) speed and they have those play-makers, so one missed tackle can give them six points."

Portageville's ground game has accumulated over 1,700 yards while the Rams have totaled nearly 1,600. Both teams have easily defeated Chaffee, Caruthersville and Hayti.

After suffering an injury in last year's loss, Scott City's Howie Stubenrauch returns as the Rams leading scorer. Stubenrauch has 10 TDs and 583 yards rushing on only 57 carries.

Portageville's Gerald Pickering leads the Bulldogs offense with 11 TDs and 558 total yards. Dameon Gooden is Portageville's leading rusher with 536 yards. Jon Walker adds 400 total yards.

"Right now we're running the ball real well," Freeman said. "We have to continue to run the ball."

Chaffee (1-5) at Valle (5-2)

The Red Devils had an open date last week and return to find a monstrous task in the state-ranked Valle Warriors.

Last year Valle pounded Chaffee 48-14 and didn't even win the district. This year, the Warriors -- ranked third in 1A -- look like the district front-runners.

Chaffee used the off week to get healthy, but don't have the weapons to match the high-powered Warriors.

Tommy Stidham, who's been banged up some this season, leads the Red Devil ground game with 406 yards. Quarterback Matt Graham has thrown for nearly 500 yards.

St. Vincent (5-2) at Hayti (1-6)

St. Vincent opens its Class 1A, District 1 defense against a team that shouldn't threaten that title.

Hayti, struggling with a small number of players, has not played one opponent close this year. The Indians' only victory came as a result of Malden using an ineligible player and having to forfeit what would have been a 77-6 win early in the year.

St. Vincent rolled past Hayti 56-0 on the way to last year's district crown. The Indians don't have as much firepower this year, but they shouldn't have any problems on the road.

St. Vincent running back Chad Winkler filled in for leading-rusher Bryan Meyer in last week's 37-0 homecoming victory. Winkler scored three times and had 149 yards rushing.

North County (7-0) at Perryville (3-4)

The good news for the Pirates: Perryville will celebrate homecoming this weekend and a large crowd is expected.

Now the bad news: That large crowd won't likely have too much to cheer about with the state-ranked North County Raiders coming to town.

Last year North County opened districts with a 48-0 over the Pirates and this year the Raiders look just as good. The Raiders are ranked second in 4A and have their eyes on a state crown.

Perryville running back Ben Kohm should give the Pirates something to celebrate. With 978 yards rushing, he's closing in on a 1,000-yard season.

Sikeston (3-3) at Poplar Bluff (4-3)

Poplar Bluff is 3-0 at home this season and that's where the Mules open district play against Sikeston.

The Mules are also riding a two-game win streak after losing on the road to state-power Jefferson City in week 5. Sikeston might still be licking its wounds from a 43-2 drubbing by New Madrid last week.

Both teams have played rugged schedules and should be ready for district competition. Sikeston does most of its damage on the ground with an explosive tandem of Mark Blissett (474 yards) and Justin Robinson (480 yards).

Bluff has been more balanced offensively this year and with the late addition of tailback Jeric Blackmon, the Mules appear ready to avenge last year's 49-28 loss.

Charleston (3-4) at Park Hills (0-7)

Park Hills has struggled through a winless season and things won't likely get any better with Charleston's Larico Coleman coming to town.

After eclipsing 1,000 yards for the second year in a row, Coleman will now set his sights on achieving 20 touchdowns. Coleman currently leads the area with 1074 yards and has scored 16 TDs.

Quarterback Jason Ward threw the Blue Jays first touchdown pass of the season in a 12-0 win over John Burroughs last week.

Last year, Charleston won 59-8.

Ste. Genevieve (6-1) at Fredericktown (1-6)

Last year, Fredericktown came within a couple of fumbles near the goal line of upsetting the Dragons in a 19-14 loss.

This year may not be so close.

Ste. Genevieve is ranked seventh in 3A and appears to be the top team in this district.

The Black Cats have struggled through another frustrating season, despite the effort of Jeremy Penwell. With 748 yards rushing, Penwell is the sixth-ranked runner in the area. He's also scored six touchdowns.

TONIGHT'S GAMES

Jackson at Cape Central

Sikeston at Poplar Bluff

Portageville at Scott City

Chaffee at Valle

East Prairie at Malden

Hayti at St. Vincent

Charleston at Park Hills Central

Caruthersville at Dexter

New Madrid Co. Central at Kennett

North County at Perryville

Ste. Genevieve at Fredericktown

Anna-Jonesboro at Carterville

Cairo at Sesser-Valier