SWINFORD GIVES CHAFFEE A GRAND VIEW IN OPENER (PREP NOTES)

Last year, Blain Swinford was the guy on the other team.

He was the game-breaker who dashed into the end zone while the Red Devils watched as another game slipped away.

But finally, Chaffee got the big play it needed, when it needed it the most Friday night.

Swinford, Chaffee's cornerback, picked off a slant pass and took it back 65 yards to give Chaffee a 28-14 lead over Grandview. The Red Devils eventually won the game 33-14.

"We were up 21-14 and they were driving the ball down the field," said Chaffee coach Allan Horrell. "It really put us over the edge. Then we had some breathing room and we weren't like, `Oh my gosh, here we go again.'

"Without it the game could've gone the other way. We need things like that. He just reached up and plucked it out of the air. He got in the right pasing lane at the right time and he was gone. I think I lost my voice on that one."

Tommy Stidham also had an outstanding game, rushing for 159 yards on 19 carries. He scored two touchdowns and had an 80-yard score called back on a clipping penalty away from the play.

Chaffee plays Gosnell, Ark. next Friday night.

Turnovers have Ram-ifications

At least for one week, the Scott City Rams will know what their opponents felt like last year.

The Rams, who blew opponents out on a regular basis in 1998, took a thumping in the season opener Friday night, a 30-0 setback at the hands of Malden.

First-year head coach Roy Williams said the reason for the loss was simple: too many turnovers.

"The turnovers became points for Malden," Williams said. "We didn't quit or let down. (The players) were as upset about it as the coaches and the fans."

The Rams, who lost nearly their entire starting unit from last year's team, turned the ball over five times, twice on fumbles and three times on interceptions.

The Green Wave scored four touchdowns, including one on a kickoff return.

"Malden's going to be a good team," Williams said. "They were bigger and faster than what we thought they were going to be."

The Rams were led offensively by Matt Underwood who ran for about 90 yards. Scott City scored a touchdown which was called back because a wide receiver was not line up on the line of scrimmage.

"Defensively, we had a decent night," said Williams. "We sacked their quarterback a couple of times and we intercepted a pass. We had a lot of big plays; we just didn't meet the challenge on offense.

"We've got a lot of improving to do."

Scott City will host Portageville next Friday night.

Pirates too aggressive

All coaches, especially football coaches, want their players to be aggressive.

But not this aggressive.

The Perryville Pirates were hampered by an abundance of penalties in their 38-19 loss to Farmington Friday night. Four of them were late hits.

"We didn't get the win because of the penalties," said Perryville coach Jerry Tucker. "Penalties killed us. We had way to many. We had four late hits, which is an aggressive penalty. It's hard to get onto players for that. We just have to make them aware of some things."

Offensively, Perryville put up good enough numbers to win most games. The Pirates rushed for 250 yards overall and were led by Shawn Statler who ran for 146 yards on 22 carries.

Defensively, the Pirates let too many ball carriers slip through their fingers.

"We were there to make the play, we just didn't make the tackle," Tucker said. "We'll work on our tackling this week."

Perryville completed one pass in six attempts for 20 yards.

Perryville hosts Ste. Genevieve next Friday night.

Jackson looks to heal burns

Jackson's secondary came up with two interceptions Friday night and the Indians shut out Sikeston 35-0.

Indians coach Carl Gross will take that.

But Jackson's defensive backfield also got burned a couple times.

Gross will try to fix that.

Though Sikeston quarterback Ty Ferrell completed just 1-of-10 passes for 10 yards, the Bulldogs weren't without their opportunities.

One touchdown pass was dropped and another touchdown escaped Sikeston as Ferrell missed a receiver who didn't have a defender within at least 10 yards of him.

There were a number of other times when Sikeston receivers had a step or two on Jackson's secondary personnel.

"I know coach (Van) Hitt was disappointed about that and so was coach (Rex) Crosnoe and coach (Brandon) Norman," said Gross. "I promise and I know them well enough that there will be some time spent and that will be corrected."

Jackson will host Sumner next Friday night.