Today's area prep football games 10/18/02

Poplar Bluff (3-3) at Jackson (1-5)

Last week: Cape Central 34, Jackson 7; Poplar Bluff 25, Farmington 24

Last year: Jackson 34, Poplar Bluff 28

Notes: New six-class format has ended bitter district rivalry, but game still important in SEMO Conference North. The past two years the teams met in the final week of the regular season with the district title on the line -- each winning once. Poplar Bluff sophomore quarterback Mark Gum leads region with 1,307 yards passing. Mule senior Tony Webb, who leads area receivers with 41 catches and 760 yards, is questionable with a sprained ankle suffered last week. Jackson's last 1-5 start was in 1993. Stuart McIntosh leads Jackson with 427 yards rushing. Both teams have scored fewer than 10 points on three occasions. Jackson has won five of the last six meetings.Hayti (4-1) at Scott City (2-4)

Last week: Portageville 20, Hayti 7; Park Hills 48, Scott City 14

Last year: Hayti 41, Scott City 0

Notes: Scott City won 15 straight meetings before losing the last two years. Despite a bye week in its schedule and only seven points last week against Portageville, Hayti enters Week 7 leading all SEMO Conference teams with 214 points. Hayti receiver William Moore, who has 19 receptions, has hauled in seven touchdown passes. The Indians' lowest offensive output was 46 points in its first four games. Rams' leading rusher Matt Schaefer will be back after missing last week with upper-arm injury. Running back Josh Carrol is probable after missing last week with shoulder injury. Fullback Joe Brunner had a season-high 92 yards on 14 carries last week in their absence.

Scott City coach Jason Burkman: "They have a lot of weapons. And it's not a matter of controlling one or two kids. They've got a whole team of them. They're a difficult team to prepare for because they spread the field. ... I'm sure they'll be fired up and ready to go, especially after last week. We have to keep the ball out of their hands. We're going to have to move the ball and keep the time of possession our side."Malden (2-4) at Chaffee (1-5)

Last week: Kennett 31, Malden 12; Chaffee 20, East Prairie 6

Last year: Malden 38, Chaffee 14

Notes: Malden has won 15 straight meetings with Chaffee dating back to 1979. Chaffee's last win over Green Wave was 30-6 decision in 1978. After dropping each other for eight years, rivalry resumed in 1996 and Malden has won all six. Chaffee's James Reischman is second in the region with 420 receiving yards.

Chaffee coach Allan Horrell: "We're hoping the kids come out a little excited after getting that first win. Maybe we can build on that emotion, but it won't be easy against Malden. They have speed to burn and you just try to contain them inside. ... Maybe we can surprise some people. We're hoping to catch them looking past us and toward district."Crystal City (2-4) at St. Vincent (4-2)

Last week: Winfield 14, Crystal City 7 (OT); St. Vincent 34, Caruthersville 6

Last year: St. Vincent 27, Crystal City 0

Notes: St. Vincent shut out Crystal City the past four years by a combined 131-0. Indians are 8-0 against Hornets since joining Jefferson County Conference in 1994.De Soto (1-5) at Perryville (1-5)

Last week: Festus 35, De Soto 0; Hillsboro 39, Perryville 0

Last year: Perryville 22, De Soto 14

Notes: De Soto has been outscored 133-0 in its last three games (by Hillsboro, Ste. Genevieve and Festus). Perryville suffered its fourth shutout loss last week and is averaging 3.5 points a game. Perryville has won six of the last seven meetings.

-- Jeff Breer