Today's area football games

Poplar Bluff (5-0) at Jackson (3-2)

Last week: Jackson 27, Central 14; Poplar Bluff 31, Farmington 0

Last year: Jackson 27, Poplar Bluff 7

Notes: The Indians have won two straight but are 1-2 at home this season. Marc Lumsden has taken over at quarterback for Jackson and has thrown six touchdowns in his two starts, both wins. In Lumsden's two starts, the Indians have put up their highest point totals of the season at 32 and 27. For the Mules, the 5-0 start is only their second in the last 10 years. The Mules have averaged more than 30 points a game this season but have not faced a defense as strong as Jackson's. Jackson's defensive backs will face a test against quarterback Mark Gum, who has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards in five games. Jackson has not had a 100-yard rusher all season but had its best game rushing last week against Central. Jackson's 149 yards rushing against the Tigers was a bit deceiving, though, since 53 of those yards came on one Jason Meystedt run.

Scott City (2-4) at Hayti (4-1)

Last week: Park Hills Central 37, Scott City 7; Portageville 14, Hayti 7

Last year: Hayti 20, Scott City 0

Notes: Hayti is coming off its first loss of the season, which dropped it from No. 1 to No. 4 in the Class 1 state poll. The Indians have a more balanced offensive attack this year with running back Frederino Robinson doing the damage on the ground and Josh White and William Moore leading the passing attack. Of Moore's first seven receptions, five went for touchdowns. More than a third of White's completions have gone for touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, Scott City running back Matt Schaefer is closing in on 1,000 yards rushing.

Chaffee (0-6) at Malden (0-6)

Last week: East Prairie 49, Chaffee 12; Kennett 28, Malden 0

Last year: Malden 41, Chaffee 0

Notes: Malden's struggles this season mirror those of Chaffee. Both Malden and Chaffee's offenses have been futile this season. The Green Wave average less than eight points a game while the Red Devils average slightly more than eight. The Red Devils offense has moved the ball well at times but has not been able to avoid turnovers. Jeff Daugherty is averaging about 85 yards passing a game for Chaffee with Nick Powderly leading in receptions. Both teams have struggled on defense as well, but Malden's defense has allowed 100 points fewer than Chaffee.

St. Vincent (3-3) at Crystal City (4-2)

Last week: Caruthersville 34, St. Vincent 19; Crystal City 20, Winfield 7

Last year: St. Vincent 42, Crystal City 6

Notes: St. Vincent's run defense will be tested against Crystal City's three-option running attack. The Hornets' Josh Meadows has rushed for 494 yards and averages nearly five yards a carry. Dan Temperato is Crystal City's second-leading rusher with 202 yards on only 26 carries. Right behind Temperato is Bobby Schembre with 193 yards. Schembre has nearly 500 yards passing but has thrown five interceptions compared to three touchdowns. Kyle Kline leads the Indians in rushing. St. Vincent and Crystal City have played one common opponent: The Indians beat St. Pius 24-6 and the Hornets lost 29-7.

Perryville (2-4) at De Soto (2-4)

Last week: Perryville 35, Hillsboro 20; Festus 40, De Soto 18

Last year: Perryville 19, De Soto 14

Notes: Matt Unterreiner had 427 yards rushing the past two weeks, leading Perryville to consecutive wins. With a win today the Pirates will have their first three-game win streak since 1998. De Soto is led by running back Desmond Travis and receiver Kevin Baisch. Travis has rushed for about 700 yards and Baisch has 22 receptions for 184 yards. Baisch has caught half of quarterback Robert Martucci's passes this season. Martucci has been mistake-prone this season with eight interceptions. De Soto can't focus only on Unterreiner:Perryville quarterback Corey Buerck has been solid all year, completing a high percentage of his passes.

-- Jeremy Joffray