Charleston, Scott City and St. Vincent are all awaiting big tests next week.

But first, they must make sure they don't disregard the comparatively minuscule quizzes facing them this weekend.

Charleston plays at Caruthersville tonight at 7:30. Charleston is 1-1 with a win over Kennett and a loss to Sikeston. Caruthersville is 0-2 and has been outscored 55-6.

"We think it's a good opportunity for a win," Charleston coach Dan Kesselring said. "Defensively, we want to work on improving what we've done in the first two weeks. Twenty-seven and 35 points is too much."

"Our small defensive line needs work. On offense we've been able to do things with those small kids. But on defense, we've struggled."

Offensively, the Blue Jays will continue to refine their running game out of the I-bone. Tailback Jeff Ewing, who has 222 yards in two games, quarterback Jason Ward, and fullback Kevin Brown, are all big-play threats.

After Caruthersville, Charleston faces New Madrid County Central and Malden, with a chance to go 4-1.

"The next stretch of schedule, they're going to be about our size," Kesselring said. "It will be a good test for us."

Scott City plays at East Prairie tonight at 7:30. The Rams are 2-0 and ranked fifth among Class 2A teams in the state media poll.

"There's never an automatic win," Rams coach Terry Flannigan said. "You go in there with a big head and they beat you."

Realistically, however, Scott City should roll in a tuneup to a bigger challenge, against Perryville on Sept. 25. The Rams won last year's meeting 35-6, and have opened this season with wins over Malden (39-12) and Portageville (44-12).

"We still want to work on controlling the line of scrimmage," Flannigan said. "And I don't think our defense is playing as well as it should. We talked about, if we want to be a playoff caliber team, we have to play with better overall intensity."

Jeremy Mouser (11 solo tackles, nine assists), David Enderle (15 solos, four assists) and Steven Thomas (eight solos, nine assists) lead the Rams defense.

Matt Underwood (44 carries, 398 yards) paces a strong running game, and quarterback Lance Amick (9-for-17, 198 yards, three touchdowns) and receiver Brandon Amick (five receptions, 171 yards, two touchdowns) provide an aerial threat.

Last week, St. Vincent whitewashed Fredericktown 22-0. The prior week, Fredericktown pummelled Park Hills 31-6.

In a tuneup for their game at Herculaneum next weekend, St. Vincent plays at Park Hills at 7:30. It could get ugly.

"It's important to get off to a good start," Indians coach Paul Sauer said. "Especially with a big game coming up in week four. (Park Hills) is big up front. If they establish a running game and eat up some clock, it could present problems."

Aaron Unterreiner and Josh Robinson are defensive leaders who will attempt to hold Park Hills down as the Indians did in a 39-14 victory last year.

Offensively, Bryan Meyr leads the Indians with 329 yards on 29 carries.

Fredericktown at Ste. Genevieve

Fredericktown's running game was shut down last week by St. Vincent.

The Black Cats will try to fire it up again this week against one of the best defenses around.

Ste. Genevieve is 2-0 and coming off a 27-7 win over a Perryville team with a big, physical front line.

Fredericktown is 1-1.

"We have to get back on track running the football," Fredericktown coach Kent Gibbs said. "If we can do that, and get a turnover or two, we can make it a game."

Jeremy Penwell carried 19 times for 56 yards last Friday. If Fredericktown falls behind, it will be up to quarterback Luke McKinnis and receivers Rodney Michael and Rusty Leonard to rally the team against a talented and strategically diverse Ste. Genevieve squad.

Fredericktown lost the matchup 33-15 last year.

"You have to give them a little advantage in size," Gibbs said, "and a lot of advantage in speed."

Chaffee at Fulton (Ken.)

It doesn't get any easier for Chaffee.

The Red Devils, who lost to Gosnell, Ark. 49-7 last week, travel to play another out-of-state power this weekend, facing Fulton, Ken., tonight at 7:30.

Chaffee (0-2) lost to Fulton 47-6 last year.

"They're just as powerful as Gosnell," Chaffee coach Brian Horrell said. "There are very few schools who play as tough a schedule as we do. It's not good for a program trying to turn it around, but if they're on the schedule, we're going to play them."

The defensive line -- featuring Billy Van Pelt, Jason Harrell and Andy Oberman -- will be put to the test against a Fulton offensive line which averages 250 pounds.

PREP FOOTBALL

Thursday's Game

Blytheville, Ark. 18, Cape Central 12

Tonight's Games

Perryville at Jackson

Dexter at Sikeston

Osceola, Ark. at Poplar Bluff

Scott City at East Prairie

Chaffee at Fulton, Ky.

Malden at New Madrid

Gosnell, Ark. at Hayti

Charleston at Caruthersville

Kennett at Pocahontas, Ark.

St. Vincent at Park Hills

Fredericktown at Ste. Genevieve

Anna-Jonesboro at Sparta

McLeansboro at Cairo