High school football capsules for Week 6

Malden (5-1) at Chaffee (2-4)

Last week: Malden 27, Kennett 12; East Prairie 42, Chaffee 0

Last year: Malden 7, Chaffee 6

Outlook: As in all games around the state, this will be the final game before the three-game district competition begins next week.

Malden has won four games straight since suffering its lone loss, 20-12, to Hayti in Week 2. Chaffee also lost to Hayti, a 42-0 loss in Week 3, a game in which the Red Devils only trailed 8-0 at halftime.

The Green Wave has been yielding just 12 points a game during its winning streak. Kyle Lemarr, a 230-pound linebacker, anchors the Malden defense.

"They're really a good team," Chaffee coach Charlie Vickery said. "They do so many things well."

Malden runs a multitude of offensive sets with sophomore quarterback Tanner Murphy at the controls.

"They're quarterback is a really, really good player," Vickery said.

The Green Wave is a threat both on the ground and in the air.

Malden's offense features tailbacks Patrick Wilson, Raymond Wilson and Justin Rowe, and Lemarr at fullback.

The receiving corps includes Quentin Jackson, Percy Johnson and Jordan McMunn.

Chaffee saw its two-game winning streak end in its lopsided loss to East Prairie.

Vickery said Trevor Cannon's bruised shoulder is much improved from a week ago and his team is healthy going into the game.

"Our focus has been on ourselves," Vickery said. "We've got to play a lot better. We took a step backward last week. This is an important week for us to play well and to get ready for the next three. If we're playing well, we have a chance to make the playoffs. If we're not playing well, we have no chance."

Central (6-0) at Poplar Bluff (1-5)

Last week: Central 47, St. Charles West 0; Farmington 70, Poplar Bluff 7

Last year: Poplar Bluff 51, Central 12

Outlook: Week 7 gives Central yet another opportunity to avenge a loss from last year's 0-10 season. The Tigers have avenged losses with three of their six wins.

Central, ranked No. 10 in Class 4, posted its first shutout of the season last week as it continued its best start since a 10-0 regular season in 1972.

The Tigers continued their ground assault last week, averaging 10 yards a carry against St. Charles West as it accumulated 318 yards. Rodney Reynolds led the Tigers in rushing for the first time with 139 yards on four carries.

Keilon Moore leads the team with 573 yards rushing, while James Poindexter has 539. Both average 10 yards a carry on the season.

Poplar Bluff has lost its last four games by a combined 205-33, including last week's 70-7 shellacking by Farmington. The Mules trailed 56-0 by halftime.

Poplar Bluff's lone victory was a 34-12 victory against New Madrid County Central in Week 2.

"In our situation, even though we've done some good things this year, you can't overlook anybody," Central coach Rich Payne said. "I guarantee you the kids haven't, and we reinforce that with them."

Poplar Bluff lost its top two running backs from last season -- Zach Ferguson and Eljie Johnson -- to graduation, and has been hit hard by injuries this year. Injuries have decimated the Mules' linebacker corps as well as the secondary. Starting quarterback Michael Griggs has been lost to a broken collarbone, and top running back Pete Bryant (562 yards, 9.21 yards per carry) missed last week's game with a shoulder injury and may not play tonight.

Josh Freeman has been directing the offense in Griggs' absence. Dustin Hibler is the Mules' top receiver.

"They're still a pretty good ballclub," Central coach Rich Payne said. "They're maybe not as athletic as last year, but they're fundamentally sound. We better be ready to play. It's not going to be a walk in the park."

Hayti (4-2) at Scott City (1-5)

Last week: Lake County, Tenn. 40, Hayti 22; Portageville 37, Scott City 13

Last year: Hayti 32, Scott City 0

Outlook: Hayti has beaten three teams -- East Prairie, Malden and Chaffee -- that own wins this season over the Rams. Those wins came during a 3-0 start. The Indians have since lost two of three, but the losses came to unbeaten Caruthersville and a 5-1 Lake County, Tenn., squad.

Hayti has multiple threats on offense, while the defense is anchored by senior defensive end Darnell Clay.

Scott City has been haunted by mistakes and turnovers in a four-game losing streak. The Rams committed numerous turnovers in last week's loss and had four the previous week in a loss to Chaffee.

Senior running back Garett Schaefer leads the Rams with 800 yards on the season, but was not Scott City's top rusher last week for the first time this season. Sophomore Travis Phillips had 84 yards on 14 carries against Portageville, while Schaefer had 47 yards on 14 carries. The Rams averaged less than three yards a carry in the loss.

Farmington (5-1) at Jackson (2-4)

Last week: Farmington 70, Poplar Bluff 7; Vashon 21, Jackson 20

Last year: Farmington 30, Jackson 20

Outlook: Farmington has put together an impressive four-game winning streak in which it has outscored its opponents 243-37. However, the wins have come against four struggling programs that all currently stand at 1-5. The Knights' lone win against a team with a winning record came in their season opener against Festus. Farmington's lone loss came in Week 2, a 40-13 loss to Hannibal.

Returning quarterback Zach Hibbits operates the Knights' spread offense that averages 47.8 points a game. Doug Warren and Jonathan Bird are two of Hibbits' favorite targets.

"Their kids run the offense with very few mistakes," Jackson coach Van Hitt said. "Their receivers always break when they supposed to break off their routes, the ball is always thrown on time, and their running back (junior Josh Davault) does a good job running the football."

Farmington pulverized Poplar Bluff on the road last week, breaking a 63-year-old school record with 70 points. The Knights led 35-0 after one quarter and 56-0 by halftime. They did not play their starters in the second half.

Jackson is familiar with Hibbits, who burned the Indians last season with 27 completions on just 34 attempts (79.4 percent) for 333 yards. Three of his completions went for touchdowns.

"He's very efficient," Hitt said. "He knows his limitations. He doesn't try to do things he's not capable of doing. He throws very few interceptions."

Jackson has a three-game losing streak. After losing to SEMO North rivals Central and Sikeston by a combined 90-24, the Indians encountered a one-point loss to Vashon.

Against Vashon, Jackson senior running back Ethan Ruch had his first 100-yard rushing game since the season opener. Ruch, who leads the team with 586 yards on 112 carries, ran for 141 yards against the Knights last season.

Jackson senior quarterback Bobby Clark threw for a season-high 254 yards last week. Senior receiver Blake Stone pulled in a season-high four catches for 72 yards, while sophomore Brandon Wright also had a season-high three catches for 78 yards. Sophomore Logwn Wren leads the team with 12 catches for 218 yards.

Jackson junior linebacker Brandon Wills is still out with a bruised shoulder. Junior offensive/defensive lineman Jake Jones has a broken hand but will attempt to play tonight. Stone, who also plays defensive back, has practiced this week but is questionable for the game.

Ste. Genevieve (1-5) at Perryville (0-6)

Last week: John Burroughs 42, Ste. Genevieve 7; Maplewood 55, Perryville 0

Last year: Ste. Genevieve 40, Perryville 0

Outlook: Both teams are having tough seasons and both are coming off lopsided losses.

Ste. Genevieve has lost five straight since a season-opening victory against Dexter. The Dragons have not had a game closer than 24 points since that time but have played four state-ranked opponents -- Valle, Fredericktown, Maplewood and John Burroughs.

Ste. Genevieve has accumulated twice as much passing yardage as rushing yards. Quarterback Brendan Weiler has completed 115 of 196 passes (59 percent) for 1,191 yards. Travis Grither leads the receivers with 31 catches for 357 yards. Derek Brown is next with 23 receptions for 273 yards. Dylan Noll has pulled in 16 passes with a team-high four going for touchdowns.

Weiler also is the team's top rusher with 81 carries for 148 yards.

"They run a wide-open offense, but they've been doing a little more with the run [lately]," Perryville coach Keith Winkler said. "But the Weiler kid is a real good passer."

Ste. Genevieve has averaged nearly three turnovers a game with 17 through six games. The Dragons have lost 11 of their 15 fumbles.

"If we come out and execute our game plan, and win at the turnovers, I think we've got a good shot," Winkler said.

Perryville has played state-ranked opponents -- Fredericktown and Maplewood -- the last two weeks and lost by a combined 89-9 in those games. The Pirates have been outscored 256-44 on the season.

"With districts starting you'd like to try to geton a roll and get started with the new season," Winkler said.

-- Jeff Breer