CHRISTIAN at DEKALB

❯❯ WHEN — 7 tonight

❯❯ BROADCASTS — none

❯❯ RECORDS — Christian 6-2 (independent), DeKalb 6-2 (4-1 PVC)

❯❯ PLAYERS TO WATCH — Christian: Return of FB David Welchert from early-season injury bolstered offense, also gives Lions their best defender from his LB position. DeKalb: RB Brent Bush provides threat as runner, receiver (13 total touchdowns), also leads Tigers defense with 3 of their 10 interceptions.

❯❯ NOTES — Game decides district title with Christian needing win to ensure tiebreaker over DeKalb if Lions were to stumble Week 10 against Southwest Livingston ... DeKalb already 3-0 in district play, closes season with nonconference matchup against Chilhowee. Tigers assured of 1st playoff trip since 2003 ... DeKalb finishes 2nd in PVC play with lone loss to North Andrew. Tigers, winners of 5 straight, also lost to Highway 275’s Stanberry ... Christian only has 1 loss in 8-man play, season-opening defeat against Mound City. Lions also lost 11-man contest at Tarkio ... Christian needs 1 win final 2 weeks to ensure 6th straight trip to postseason, including state final berth last year.

PARK HILL SOUTH at CENTRAL

❯❯ WHEN — 7 tonight

❯❯ BROADCASTS — none

❯❯ RECORDS — Park Hill South 4-4 (2-2 Suburban Big 6), Central 2-6 (2-4 Suburban Big 7)

❯❯ PLAYERS TO WATCH — Park Hill South: Despite being harassed by Park Hill defense, QB Chris Hamilton managed to toss pair of touchdown strikes against Trojans last week. Central: In addition to providing threat at WR, junior DE Brett Donaldson leads Indians with 8 tackles for loss.

❯❯ NOTES — Both schools winless after first week of district play, must win here to keep playoff hopes alive ... Central saw potential victory slip through fingers last week when rash of turnovers, field goal misses allowed Oak Park to claim crushing 7-6 win ... After enjoying breakout season, junior RB/LB Alex Ray suffered season-ending broken leg against Northmen that puts brunt of carries in Malkaam Muhammad’s hands ... Following back-to-back wins early in season, Indians have dropped 4 straight contests ... Central coach Tony Dudik takes Noyes Field for final home game tonight after 29 years of leading team.

KEARNEY at BENTON

❯❯ WHEN — 7 tonight

❯❯ BROADCASTS — none

❯❯ RECORDS — Kearney 6-2 (4-1 Small 6), Benton 3-5 (1-5 MEC)

❯❯ PLAYERS TO WATCH — Kearney: DE Joe Windsor has been defensive nightmare for opponents — recording 9 sacks, 8 pressures, 7 TFL, 2 forced fumbles after 7 weeks of play. Benton: Admist Cardinals’ slew of injuries, TE Will Prince (20 reception, 342 yards) has emerged as reliable go-to option for QB Matt Pritchett.

❯❯ NOTES — Cardinals picked right time to snap 5-game losing skid with comeback win against Excelsior Springs to open district play ... Kearney notched most lopsided victory in school’s history last week during 74-0 smackdown against Lafayette ... Benton reshaping offensive image into power-running team with 4-pronged attack of Pritchett, RBs D’Paris Smith, Daris Riley, Colby Bradford ... Kearney’s ruthless offense moved ball at will against Fighting Irish, scoring touchdowns on 11 of 13 possessions ... Powerful Kearney team steamrolled Cardinals last season, 69-7, on way to district title.

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS at LAFAYETTE

❯❯ WHEN — 7 tonight

❯❯ BROADCASTS — 1550 AM (KSFT)

❯❯ RECORDS — Excelsior Springs 2-6 (2-3 MRVC West), Lafayette 3-5 (2-4 MEC)

❯❯ PLAYERS TO WATCH — Excelsior Springs: Junior QB Preston Lewis provides Tigers’ most consistent offensive threat, doesn’t always have targets to find downfield. Lafayette: RB Bryston Cook needs to regain early rushing form to help Fighting Irish become more consistent on offensive side of ball.

❯❯ NOTES — Turnovers continue to plague Fighting Irish, who committed 6 giveaways in blowout loss against Kearney ... Tigers have gained momentum since losing 4 straight to open season with conference victories against Oak Grove, Odessa in past month ... Lafayette now without services of versatile 2-way starter Ike McDonald, must rely on backfield rotation that includes RB D’Andre Talton ... Exclesior’s defense has proved vulnerable through season, as Tigers relinquish more than 34 points per game ... Irish opened door to eventual trip to playoffs last year with crucial 27-14 win at Excelsior Springs, need similar result this year.

TRENTON at BISHOP LEBLOND

❯❯ WHEN — 7 tonight

❯❯ BROADCASTS — 101.7 FM (KGOZ)

❯❯ RECORDS — Trenton 1-7 (independent), LeBlond 0-8 (0-6 MEC)

❯❯ PLAYERS TO WATCH — Trenton: QB Scotty Dolan ran for 100-plus yards for second straight game last week, continues to lead split-back veer attack with Tony Thompson still out with injury. LeBlond: DE Mark Nold continues to contribute in 1st season, leads Eagles with 3 sacks, 5 tackles for loss.

❯❯ NOTES — Both teams opened play with identical district losses of 47-7. South Harrison beat LeBlond; Maryville topped Trenton ... Teams have chance to keep slim playoff hopes alive, build late-season momentum in battle of struggling teams ... Trenton reached playoffs last year, have lost 5 straight since winning against Lathrop, 20-13 ... Trenton offense continues to struggle, have been shut out 3 times ... LeBlond yet to score more than 13 points in game this season, have been blanked twice ... LeBlond has now lost 10 straight dating back to last year, 16 of past 17 ... Coach Steve Vertin still without 1st victory of head coaching career.