SIKESTON TO TEST 4A WATERS IN '98

An experienced Sikeston squad will attempt to bounce back from last year's uncharacteristic 3-6 season that included 0-3 SEMO Conference and Class 5A-District 1 records.

One thing is for certain: Sikeston definitely won't have to worry about its record in that 5A district this year.

That's because the Bulldogs, because of a drop in enrollment, have been moved down to Class 4A for at least the next two seasons. Not that Sikeston coach Charlie Vickery believes playing district schools smaller than in the past will be an advantage.

"It'll be tough, just like 5A," he said. "The reason you move down is you have fewer students, too."

Vickery did, however, acknowledge that advancing further into the playoffs could be a bit more manageable in 4A than 5A.

But right now, the final three games of the season that make up the district schedule don't really concern Vickery. He's trying to get the Bulldogs prepared for the start of the new campaign.

"We're looking all right, but we're just going to have to stay away from injuries because we're not very deep," he said. "We've got some guys out now, but once we get to full strength I think we'll be pretty good."

The Bulldogs did lose some key players from last year, including standout tailback Mark Blissett, who is now playing for Southeast Missouri State University.

But Sikeston returns most of its offensive starters, including junior tailback Justin Robinson (5-feet-10, 185 pounds), who gained about 600 yards last year filling in when Blissett was injured. Robinson will miss the first two games of the season on a suspension.

Senior fullback Doug Wiles (5-11, 200) returns while senior John Brown (5-10, 170) will be in the mix with Robinson at tailback.

Senior quarterback Mark Silverthorn (6-2, 205) started last year and figures to be the regular again once he returns from an injury. One of Silverthorn's favorite targets will be senior wide receiver Brandon Barnes (6-4, 200), a returning regular.

The entire offensive line returns intact and there is plenty of beef with junior center Jeff Heacox (6-0, 225), senior guards Matt Drake (6-0, 230) and Drew Dollar (6-3, 230) and senior tackles Jeff Burns (6-1, 250) and Jesse Hammock (6-0, 250).

Defensively, returning starters include Drake and senior Aaron Boldrey (5-11, 205) up front; Wiles and senior Chris French (5-8, 160) at linebacker; and Brown and Barnes in the secondary.

While Sikeston's district schedule will feature three new teams -- powerhouse North County, Farmington and Potosi -- the remainder of the slate includes numerous holdovers, including conference foes Cape Central, Jackson and Poplar Bluff and area rivals Charleston and New Madrid County Central.

"It's a tough schedule," Vickery said. "We've got most of the teams we've always played and the district, with North County being so good, is going to be tough."

Sikeston opens the season Friday night at Jackson.