That's why they play the games

With the exception of one game, the opening week of high school football pretty much went as expected.

Most good teams won. Most bad teams lost.

But in the case of Sikeston-Jackson, a supposed bad team in the SEMO North beat a supposed good team.

How can this be explained?

It's too early to tell at this point. Week 2 should provide more insight.

The Bluejays make the short trip west again for the 118th installment of the most lopsided rivalry west of the Mississippi River.

Sikeston leads the series 82-31-4 and will be favored to win again this year, despite last week's loss and Charleston's victory down in Kennett.

This is where the Bulldogs show their potential.

Final score: Sikeston 34, Charleston 13

Jackie Johnson had a sensational coaching debut down in Malden last week. With Portageville on tap Friday, the celebration may be short-lived.

Matt Schaeffer and Luke McCellan will have a tougher time picking apart the Bulldog defense.

Final score: Portageville 29, Scott City 7

The Eagles played Jonesboro, Ark., tough last week for two quarters, trailing just 3-0 at halftime. But then the Golden Hurricanes caught fire, scoring 20 in the third quarter to open the floodgates.

In the 19-point victory, Jonesboro scored three times on four NMCC turnovers. This Thursday, the Eagles face a team just as good, if not better than Jonesboro was.

Keeping those penalties and turnovers down will be key if NMCC wants to compete with Cape.

Final score: Cape Central 24, NMCC 13

Believe it or not, I was kind of impressed with East Prairie in last week's 41-0 loss to Hayti. With guys like Paris Tipler, Dez Johnson and Brent Harland, the Eagles could snap that 18-game losing streak soon.

How soon? Maybe Friday night.

Final score: East Prairie 21, Piggott 20

Quarterback Kyle Espey is expected to miss Friday's game at Gosnell, Ark., after dislocating his knee cap in last week's loss to Poplar Bluff.

Can the Bearcats survive without him?

Final score: Gosnell 17, Dexter 14

Is all of Caruthersville's hype warranted? So far, yes. Against Lone Oak, Ky., last Friday, Jimmy Jackson rushed for three touchdowns and Rogers VanAusdall threw two TD passes in a 53-28 blowout win.

They look for real to me. We will see if they can keep it going this week against struggling Kennett.

Final score: Caruthersville 33, Kennett 12

The Mules seem to have found an answer for their running woes: Todd Tinsley. If that kid comes close to living up to his name, Bluff could be a team to watch out for this year.

They won't be embarrassed by the Chickasaws again this year. Final score: Poplar Bluff 28, Blytheville 27

After last week's upset win over Sikeston, Jackson has the chance to equal last year's win total when Rockwood Summit comes to town Friday.

The Falcons were defeated 27-13 by a traditionally strong Parkway South team in the first week of the season.

This one could go either way.

Final score: Summit 14, Jackson 13

Corning started its season off on the right foot, beating Arkansas rival Rector 30-8. Chaffee didn't fare quite as well in its opener, losing 15-6 to Grandview. Final score: Corning 35, Chaffee 15

If Malden had trouble stopping Scott City's skill players, wait until they get a load of this Hayti bunch. A few key players missed last week's game due to nagging injuries and the Indians still won 41-0. Good luck Green Wave... you're going to need it.

Final score: Hayti 37, Malden 13