RAMS SQUASH SPIRITED EFFORT BY DEVILS 28-0

CHAFFEE -- Scott City High football coach Roy Williams told anybody willing to listen that Chaffee would give his Rams all they could handle during their annual Scott County border war Friday night.

"In games like this, with big rivals, you can pretty well throw things out the window," he said. "I knew we were going to have our hands full."

Williams was right on the money. The inspired Red Devils gave the heavily favored Rams quite a battle before Scott City was able to pull away late for a 28-0 victory.

The Rams, who won their fourth straight game, are now 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEMO South Conference. Scott City has outscored its last four opponents by a staggering 148-12.

Chaffee, off to its best start in a number of years, fell to 2-3 overall, 1-1 in the SEMO South.

"Chaffee has nothing to hang their heads about," said Williams. "They played us a good game and they've got a young team. They're going to keep getting better."

Red Devils' first-year coach Allan Horrell, while disappointed with the loss, was certainly pleased with his squad's effort and he is definitely excited about the way Chaffee's program seems to be progressing.

"We hung in there as long as we could," said Horrell, whose squad trailed just 7-0 at halftime. "We had a very good effort and I think we surprised a lot of people in the first half. But Scott City is just so big. Their lines just wore us down.

"But I'm pleased with the way our program is coming along. We just have to continue to improve."

Scott City dominated the statistics, piling up 376 yards of offense while holding Chaffee to just 128 yards.

The Rams pounded out 260 yards on the ground, led by Matt Underwood with 121 yards on 21 carries. Hard-running David Enderle had 94 yards on 14 attempts while quarterback Scott Johnston added 66 yards on seven attempts.

Johnston, who scored two touchdowns, also completed five of 11 passes for 116 yards and a TD.

Chaffee got most of its yardage through the air as Travis Hanback completed 10 of 21 passes for 88 yards. Jeremy Lynn had six receptions.

Scott City scored on its first possession, moving 63 yards in eight plays. Johnston capped the march with a 1-yard sneak and Lucas Ward booted the first of his four conversion kicks for a quick 7-0 lead midway through the opening quarter.

But the Rams were stymied the rest of the half and Chaffee had two solid scoring chances, one drive reaching the Scott City 15 and another moving inside the Rams' 30.

"We took the ball right down and scored and I think our guys thought it would be easy," Williams said.

Chaffee had another scoring chance early in the third quarter as the Red Devils moved inside the Rams' 35. But again Scott City's defense held strong.

Scott City was then able to pull away with two touchdowns late in the third period. Johnston hit Bill Posey with a 41-yard TD strike and Johnston again scored on a 1-yard sneak.

The Rams tacked on a final TD late in the game as Underwood went over from 12 yards out.