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COLUMBIA -- The Sikeston Bulldogs football team won their first district title since 1995 last year, but in order to repeat that accomplishment in 2010, the Bulldogs will have to do it with a different looking district.
Sikeston remains in Class 4, District 1 as does Farmington, however, gone from the district are Poplar Bluff and West Plains. The Mules have moved up to Class 5 and will play in District 1 with Jackson, Rockwood Summit and Seckman. Meanwhile, West Plains has been placed in Class 4, District 10, as the Bulldogs no longer have to make the long drive to take on the Zizzers.
Replacing Poplar Bluff and West Plains are Cape Central and Perryville. On paper, the move looks to benefit both Sikeston and Farmington as Cape Central moves down from Class 5 where they were 0-10 last season while Perryville moves up from Class 3, where they were 1-9 last season.
Class 3, District 1 will also have a slightly different look next season as Dexter, Kennett and New Madrid County Central will now battle Fredericktown next season, meaning the district will have three teams that made the playoffs in 2009. The Blackcats lost to NMCC 51-14 in a regional playoff game while the Eagles (9-4) advanced to the state quarterfinals before losing to Priory 35-12. Dexter finished last season 5-6, losing to Potosi in a regional 56-20. Potosi has moved to Class 4, District 2.
In Class 2, District 1 will remain the same with Caruthersville, Charleston, East Prairie and Malden while District 2 will see the addition of Herculaneum to Crystal City, Scott City and St. Pius X of Festus.
Class 1, District 1 will have a significantly different look as St. Vincent and Chaffee have moved to District 2 while Cabool and Thayer will join Hayti and Portageville in District 1. Thayer has made the playoffs the last three years, losing in the state championship game in 2007 and 2008.
St. Vincent and Chaffee will be joined in Class 1, District 2 with Cleveland NJROTC and Valle Catholic, which lost in the 2009 state championship game to Penney 21-17.