SCRIMMAGE TIME FOR PREPS

The first week of high school football practice is over and now the focus of area teams has moved to scrimmages as they prepare for their first games.

Central and Jackson will hold inter-squad scrimmages tonight on their home fields. Scott City and Chaffee will continue to practice in the coming week before holding their own scrimmages.

Next week, several Missouri schools will participate in their first-ever Jamboree scrimmages. The Jamborees will consist of three to four teams practicing against one another for a limited number of plays on both offense and defense.

Cape Central, Jackson and St. Vincent of Perryville will be apart of a Jamboree hosted by Sikeston. Scott City recently announced they'll play in a four-team Jamboree in Dexter.

But until the first games Sept. 5, teams will continue to beat on each other in preparation of the coming season. A look at local teams scrimmage plans:

Central

The Tigers will have their first inter-squad scrimmage tonight at 7 p.m., at Houck Field. Admission is free.

"This will be our first big evaluation," said Tigers head coach Jerry Dement. "We'll run about 75 plays. It will be a controlled, scripted scrimmage."

With school not starting until next week at Central, the Tigers have taken advantage of the extra time -- and pleasant weather -- to hold one long practice lasting about four hours in the evenings.

The first half of practices have moved at a slower pace, with a heavy emphasis on teaching. The final half of practice continues at a faster pace with more live contact involved.

"So far, things have been going well," Dement said. "We've had our days to drag, but most of the time we've really got after it."

Central opens the 1997 season on the road Sept. 5 at Farmington.

Jackson

The Indians will hold their first team scrimmage tonight at the high school field at 7 p.m.

A $1 donation to the Parent's Club to help defray the cost of meals on road trips will be solicited before entering the scrimmage.

Head Coach Carl Gross said the kicking game will get a lot of attention during the scrimmage. He also plans to run about 20 plays on offense and defense for the starters and then get all other players involved later in the scrimmage.

"The kids have been working well and the weather has really given us a break lately," said Gross. "The veterens have shown a lot of leadership and the new guys have stepped in very well."

Jackson starts the season at home Sept. 5 against Riverview Gardens.

Scott City

The Rams won't hold a team scrimmage until Aug. 28 when Scott City has its Ram Kickoff Barbecue for all fall sports' participants.

Head Coach Terry Flannigan said his team will only run about 12-15 plays at the end of the barbecue in preparation of a Jamboree scrimmage the Rams will play the following night in Dexter. Other teams in the Dexter Jamboree will be Portageville and Fredericktown.

"We're movng along slowly," said Flannigan of the Rams progress. "Right now we're an average team. We're not very physical, but it's still early."

Scott City opens its season at home Sept. 5 against St. Vincent of Perryville.