ST. VINCENT MEETS MARIONVILLE AGAIN IN 1A SECTIONAL

Last season, Marionville High's Comets slipped past visiting St. Vincent 21-20 in a Class 1A sectional football game.

According to Marionville coach Harv Welch, look for a game that is just about as close when the teams meet again tonight in a rematch. The kickoff in Perryville is set for 7:30.

"I'm very impressed by St. Vincent's team," said Welch. "I'm especially impressed with their defense. They're very quick and very aggressive. I look for it to be a very even-steven game. Whoever plays the best will win."

St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer would gladly take a close game because his squad has come out on top of several down-to-the-wire affairs this season.

"I think a close game would be to our advantage," said Sauer. "We've won some close games and have found a way to win."

Both teams have had impressive seasons, going 8-2 and winning district titles. Marionville returned a host of key players from last year's 12-1 state semifinalist team and probably expected to be stout again. St. Vincent lost virtually every key player from a year ago and probably didn't know what to expect.

"We're young, but we've kept getting better each week," Sauer said. "The kids have done a great job. We lost the opener (to Scott City 12-3) and that might have been the best thing for us. I think it really opened the kids' eyes."

Said Welch of his squad, "We're starting seven seniors on both sides of the ball that started last year. I think the experience is a big factor for us."

Marionville is led by tailback Jason Buntin with more than 700 yards rushing and fullback Justin Medlin with over 500 yards. Quarterback Kevin Jones, who missed about half the season with an injury, is dangerous both running and passing.

"I think they're about the same as they were last year," said Sauer of the Comets. "They're pretty big up front, they're about average in speed and size in the backfield, they've got a really good split end and their quarterback is pretty dangerous."

St. Vincent's major offensive weapons have been Chad Winkler with about 600 yards rushing and quarterback Joe Ponder with more than 600 yards passing.

Defensively, Sauer said the Indians have been led by linebackers Winkler, Cory Robinson and Aaron Unterreiner while ends Mike Winkler and Ben Favier have stepped up in recent games.

Welch, in remembering last year's thrilling win over St. Vincent at home, said, "We were very fortunate to have beaten them. They were one of the most talented teams we played. We wouldn't want to have played them again."

Whereas St. Vincent had to make the nearly 300-mile trip to Marionville (located 25 miles west of Springfield) last year, this time it's the Comets' turn to spend about five hours on a bus.

"You don't know until after you play, but it's definitely a factor," Welch said of the long trip. "It's going to be an adjustment on our part."

You can bet the Indians are glad to be playing the game at home in front of their friendly fans.

"We've played our best football this season at home," said Sauer. "Last year was a rough one to lose. Now we have an opportunity to get them here at home."

* In addition to St. Vincent facing Marionville and Jackson taking on Kirkwood in 5A, two other playoff games will be played tonight in Southeast Missouri.

New Madrid County Central (8-2) will play host to Ste. Genevieve (9-1) in a highly-anticipated 3A battle. The Eagles lost to the Dragons 14-12 in the first game of the season.

Portageville (8-2) will play host to Brentwood (4-5) in a 2A matchup.