PREP FOOTBALL: Week 4 Glance

Dexter at Caruthersville

Records: Dexter (0-3), Caruthersville (2-1)

Series History: Dexter leads 43-31-2

Last Meeting: 2011, Dexter won 56-55

Last Week: Sikeston 47, Dexter 7; Caruthersville 34, Charleston 12

Outlook: Dexter's brutal early schedule continues with high-powered Caruthersville. Under head coach Aaron Pixley, the Bearcats are 9-3 against Caruthersville, but will have to get healthy as several starters have been out with injury. Senior wide receiver Chase Young (5-10, 168) did everything Dexter last week, catching seven passes for 134 yards while also playing quarterback late in the game when starter DJ Dowdy (5-11, 153, jr.) and backup Ethan Stevens (5-7, 141, fr.) went down to injury. The status on Dowdy isn't known at press time but the junior has thrown for 223 yards and three touchdowns in two games. Dexter's defense struggled with speed against Sikeston and will see plenty of it against the Tigers. Injuries have also struck the Tigers. Caruthersville's junior running back Darrell Monroe (6-3, 215) has rushed for 504 yards in three games this season, including 77 yards last week on an injured leg. His status for Friday is unknown at press time. With Monroe out in the second half, junior quarterback Tyler Grissom (6-4, 210) took over, scoring twice on the ground and throwing for 53 yards. The Tiger defense was stingy, holding Charleston to -21 yards, three turnover and no first downs in the second half last week.

Portageville at Chaffee

Records: Portageville (3-0), Chaffee (1-2)

Series History: Portageville leads 38-23-2

Last Meeting: 2011, Chaffee won 47-14

Last Week: Portageville 22, Malden 13; Hayti 34, Chaffee 8

Outlook: Portageville is looking for their first 4-0 start since 2002 when they finished 9-2 and made it to the state quarterfinals. They have lost four of their last six games to Chaffee but hope a deep, talented running attack will keep the Chaffee spread offense off the field. Senior Daniel Allen (6-0, 185) leads the Bulldogs' ground attack, gaining 380 yards the last two weeks. Seniors Dion Foster (5-8, 155) and Dominique Walker (6-3, 190) will also share carries in the Wing-T attack while quarterback Bryce Wallace (5-11, 150, jr.) can throw when needed, passing for 113 yards and a touchdown last week. The Portageville defense is equally as dominant, holding Malden to just 179 yards last week. For Chaffee, the return of sophomore quarterback Peyton Montgomery (5-11, 155), who missed a week due to injury, still couldn't spark the Red Devils' offense. Chaffee was held to just eight points for the second-straight week as the Hayti speed wore down the Red Devils. Chaffee hung close with the Indians for a half but Hayti pulled away with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

NMCC at Charleston

Records: NMCC (1-2), Charleston (1-2)

Series History: NMCC leads 19-8

Last Meeting: 2011, Charleston won 33-0

Last Week: NMCC 31, Kennett 7; Caruthersville 34, Charleston 12

Outlook: NMCC has won six of their last seven over the Bluejays and are coming off a convincing win against Kennett. After scoring just six points and gaining only 228 yards their first two games combined, the Eagles exploded for 338 yards last week, including 145 yards on the ground from sophomore running back Mikael Walker (5-10, 160). Senior quarterback Jashawn McDaniel (6-1, 200) threw for 75 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 34 yards and another score. The Eagles' defense has been stingy the last two weeks, holding Sikeston to 12 points and Kennett to seven points and only 122 yards last week. Charleston found the going tough offensively last week against Caruthersville. The Bluejays' power running game was held to just 74 yards last week and no first downs in the second half. Junior Robert Bogan (5-8, 185) has four touchdowns on the season and rushed for a team-high 87 yards last week. Senior Mike Hull (5-8, 156) handles the signal calling duties and completed four passes last week for 58 yards. The Charleston defense has played well this season, holding a talented Caruthersville team to just 255 total yards last week.

East Prairie at Hayti

Records: East Prairie (0-3), Hayti (1-2)

Series History: Hayti leads 45-27

Last Meeting: 2011, Hayti won 40-10

Last Week: Scott City 36, East Prairie 0; Hayti 34, Chaffee 8

Outlook: East Prairie has fallen on hard times as the Eagles offense has scored just 12 points in three games. Now they must take on Hayti, who has beaten them 12 of the last 13 years. The Eagles moved junior Brad Beck (5-8, 155) to quarterback last week, and he responded by completing six of 10 passes for 25 yards while gaining 67 on the ground. However, leading rusher Jerry Alexander (5-7, 155, sr.) was held to just 14 yards. While the offense struggled, the East Prairie defense showed improvement led by senior Cody Smith (5-7, 135) and freshman Blayn Goodding (5-9, 155) who each had eight tackles last week. The Eagles' defense will be tasked with stopping a Hayti offense that found its groove in the second half last week. Hayti trailed Chaffee 8-6 at halftime but rattled off 28 points in the second half to cruise to the win. The Indians are led by dual-threat senior quarterback Karnard Humes (5-9, 170) and his top receiver junior Demetrius Luster (6-1, 190). Defensively, Hayti is led on defense by senior linebacker Michael Thomas (5-11, 200) who is the Indians' top tackler.

Scott City at Malden

Records: Scott City (3-0), Malden (1-2)

Series History: Malden leads 25-18

Last Meeting: 2011, Malden won 47-21

Last Week: Scott City 36, East Prairie 0; Portageville 22, Malden 13

Outlook: Scott City is trying for their first 4-0 start since the 2004 season that saw the Rams finish 8-2 with a sectional loss. The Rams offense continues to click behind a balanced attack. Senior running back Travis Phillips (5-7, 155) has gained 423 yards this season while senior signal caller Jonathan McFall (6-1, 190) continues to find the end zone. McFall ran for a score and threw for two more last week and has passed for more than 230 yards this season. Senior tight end Ryan Fortner (6-0, 226) caught a touchdown pass last week as did fellow senior Brett Dirnberger (6-1, 188). The Rams' defense has been equally as good, allowing less than 10 points per game. That could make things tough on Malden who has won the last four games against the Rams. Senior running back Romello McCoy (5-9, 170) is a load to bring down and has 381 yards rushing this season. Freshman quarterback Chapen Riley (6-3, 185) has thrown for 337 yards and three touchdowns this season but also tossed five interceptions. Riley has seen constant pressure this season as the Green Wave young offensive line has had some growing pains.