THE LATEST LINE: PREP FOOTBALL SEASON BUILDS UP TO FINAL, THRILLING WEEK

There wasn't much in the way of competitive and exciting -- or even attractive, for that matter -- high school football matchups around Southeast Missouri Friday night.

But that all should change this week as a host of district champions will be determined through head-to-head battles featuring undefeated district teams.

If you're a prep football fan, then it won't get much better than what's in store Thursday and Friday nights.

Of the six districts involving local squads, five of them will feature showdowns between teams with 2-0 district records. That sets up some mouth-watering winner-take-all showdowns that should have stadiums buzzing.

The excitement begins Thursday night as Cape Central (5-4) travels to Farmington (8-1) to decide the 4A, District 1 title. The Knights have the better record and the No. 6 state ranking, but the Tigers -- shooting for their first playoff berth since 1989 -- have played the tougher schedule. On paper, it looks almost too close to call.

Friday night's feature game among several marquee matchups is no doubt Jackson (9-0) at Poplar Bluff (6-3) to settle the 5A, District 1 crown. The third-ranked Indians have hardly been tested this year and will be favored. But the pass-happy Mules are dangerous and always tough on their home field.

Also Friday:

Scott City (7-2) travels to Charleston (3-6) in 2A, District 2. The Rams have beaten the Blue Jays to capture this district the past couple of years and will be favored to do it again. But the Blue Jays have played a far tougher schedule and figure to pose a serious threat.

St. Vincent (9-0) entertains Hayti (8-1) in 1A, District 1. In a battle of Indians, second-ranked St. Vincent is playoff tested and looks primed for a deep postseason run. They'll be solid favorites, but ninth-ranked Hayti is having its best seasons in many years, has plenty of speed and cannot be taken lightly.

Finally, New Madrid (8-0) hosts Fredericktown (7-2) in 3A, District 1. The fifth-ranked Eagles, who just might be a state title contender, have destroyed every opponent so far and will be heavily favored to do the same to the Blackcats. But Fredericktown has posted consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 37 years as its program continues to make major strides.

Wow! What a week of football. The only bad thing is, too many of the games will be going on at once, so fans won't be able to see them all.

But that's about the only drawback to what is shaping up as a fantastic finish to the regular season and a sensational lead-in to the playoffs.

* Southeast Missouri State University senior basketball player Michael Stokes has drawn some nice national accolades.

Stokes, who had an impressive rookie season with the Indians last year after transferring from the junior-college ranks, is rated by The Sporting News as the nation's 16th-best point guard.

While that doesn't mean Stokes is sure-fire NBA material, it's quite an honor considering there are more than 300 NCAA Division I teams in the country.

Also, as an indication of just how good the Ohio Valley Conference might be this year, TSN rates Austin Peay's Trenton Hassell as the nation's fifth-best small forward and Murray State's Isaac Spencer No. 15 at power forward.

* I had a great time being one of the judges Saturday for the slam-dunk contest at SEMO's Red vs. Black scrimmage.

And I didn't even mind being showered with some good-natured (I hope) boos when fans didn't quite agree with some of the scores I gave.

* Practice for high school basketball teams across the state -- and for all other winter sports -- officially begins Monday.

* Congratulations to Cape Girardeau's Frank Osborn for accomplishing the unique and impressive feat of shooting a recent round of golf lower than his age.

Frank, age 74, fired a 73 at Cape Country Club.