ST. VINCENT OPENS WITH BIG TEST

St. Vincent coach Keith Winkler said his team is upbeat but nervous heading into tonight's 7 p.m. season opener at home against Park Hills.

Park Hills, a 3A school, scored more points off the Indians than any other team last year, including 1A state champion Santa Fe. St. Vincent defeated Park Hills 22-19.

And since almost all of St. Vincent's starting lineup graduated, there are question marks heading into the season.

The defending 1A runner-up will be out to prove it can still play at a high level.

"I think we're more nervous than anything," Winkler said. "With our inexperience, there are a lot of unanswered questions, but we're staying positive."

Winkler said a key to stopping Park Hills will be containing senior quarterback Dominique Conrad (6-1, 175). Conrad is adept at running the option, Winkler said.

St. Vincent figures to hand the ball off to senior Adam Bockman quite a bit. Bockman (5-9, 180) rushed for 634 yards last year, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

Scott City at Malden

Last year: 40-33, Scott City

The Scott City-Malden game has become a rivalry of sorts in the last few years.

The Rams and Green Wave have been among the area's top 2A schools and the games have gone back-and-forth.

The teams met twice in 1999 with Malden winning the first game in a blowout. But later that year, Scott City knocked off the Green Wave in the first round of the playoffs.

Last year, the Rams beat Malden 40-33 in what was supposed to be another sectional preview. But Scott City was upset by Charleston in the district championship game. While the Rams faltered down the stretch, Malden finished the season 8-4, losing to Lutheran North 12-6 in the state quarterfinals.

Scott City will lean heavily on running back Brad Glenn after standout Marcus Klund transferred to Cape Central.

Rams coach Stephen O'Brien said his team will have to play disciplined football in order to win.

"They've got four or five kids faster than anything we've got on our team," he said. "And they've got some huge linemen this year. We'll have to use our quickness and technique on the line."

Chaffee vs. Grandview

Last year: 40-14, Chaffee

With all of Chaffee's skill-position players graduating, there's some big question marks in Red Devil Country.

But Chaffee coach Allan Horrell said he was pleasantly surprised with his team at last Friday's jamboree. Horrell said his squad held its own against Hayti and Caruthersville.

"I was impressed with our blocking," Horrell said. "And not just on the line, all the blocking. We stayed on our blocks until the whistle."

Horrell doesn't quite know what to expect with Grandview, which has a whole new coaching staff and offensive and defensive system.

"I don't know if they'll be better or not," Horrell said. "And they're not sure either."

Charleston at Kennett

Last year: 19-6, Kennett

This game will feature a lot of talent at the skill positions.

Charleston feels it has one of the best backfields around with running back Jordy Mixon, fullback Orrice Stanback and quarterback Dontay Clark.

Kennett, meanwhile, has speedster Tyree Goolsby at running back, Dustin Pritchett at wide receiver and Nathan Baker at quarterback.

"We're both improved from last year," Charleston coach Brent Anderson said. "Kennett has some serious weapons on offense and defense and we feel like we do too. I think it will come down to who beats who up front."

Perryville at Waynesville

Last year: 38-0, W'ville

The Pirates were embarrassed in this game last year, but Perryville coach Lance Bell is confident this year's team can give Waynesville a better game.

"We just want to play well," Bell said. "Waynesville's got some big kids again and some fast backs again, but we're not the team we were last year."

Bell said he liked the way his defense played at last Friday's jamboree and he said his offense has taken some strides this week.

We're putting in some last wrinkles and hopefully we'll be ready to go," he said.

Perryville left this morning on a charter bus for Waynesville. The Pirates' day will include a tour of Fort Leonard Wood.

Other games of interest

Dexter at Poplar Bluff; Last year: 29-7, Poplar Bluff

Fredericktown at Crystal City, 7 p.m.; Last year: 49-18, Fredericktown

Hayti at East Prairie; Last year: 33-12, Hayti

Gosnell (Ark.) at Portageville; Last year: 47-6, Gosnell

Caruthersville at Anna-Jonesboro (Ill.); Last year: DNP

NMCC vs. Blytheville; Last year: DNP

The Sikeston Standard Democrat contributed to this report.