Lee’s Summit at Central

❯❯ WHEN — 7 tonight

❯❯ BROADCASTS — none

❯❯ RECORDS — Lee’s Summit 1-3 (0-2 Suburban Big 7), Central 2-2 (2-1 Suburban Big 7)

❯❯ PLAYERS TO WATCH — Lee’s Summit: Mobile QB Corbin Berkstresser kept things interesting against Blue Springs with dual-threat attack. Central: Coming off phenomenal game against Lee’s Summit North, RB/LB Alex Ray turned in another tremendous effort — rushing for 108 yards while playing stout defense.

❯❯ NOTES — Longtime Central coach Tony Dudik notched 100th victory with Indians in dramatic fashion during thrilling, overtime win last week against Blue Springs South ... Lee’s Summit still reeling after back-to-back drubbings at hands of Liberty, Raymore-Peculiar — 2 of area’s top teams ... Central QB Ryan Wallace continues to show progress, completing 64 percent of passes last week for 215 yards ... Win would give Central first 3-game win streak since opening trio of games in 2007 ... Indians last beat Lee’s Summit in 2007, when current Missouri Western player Jeremy Weston blocked last-second field goal to preserve 29-28 victory.

Benton at Chillicothe

❯❯ WHEN — 7 tonight

❯❯ BROADCASTS — 98.5 FM (KCHI), 1010 AM (KCHI)

❯❯ RECORDS — Benton 2-2 (1-2 MEC), Chillicothe 4-0 (1-0 MEC)

❯❯ PLAYERS TO WATCH — Benton: RB D’Paris Smith finally achieved breakout performance out of backfield, racking up 108 yards on 18 carries to lead Cardinals. Chillicothe: QB Jared McCauslin provides pass threat when called on, has tossed 3 touchdowns passes in past 2 weeks.

❯❯ NOTES — Bad news continues to pour in for Cardinals coach Matt Tabor, who lost WR Terell Gray (broken ankle), LB Coltan Wells (knee injury) for the season ... After relatively slow start, Chillicothe offense starting to round into shape. Hornets have scored 91 points in 2-week span — including 42-point outburst during 1st quarter against Bishop LeBlond ... Due to overwhelming injuries, Benton will shift defensive formation from 4-3 to 4-2 look after losing 2 linebackers to season-ending injuries ... Starting OL/DL Tyler Skipper, Connor Lindley progressing well in 1st year of full-time action and have Hornets looking like they deserve No. 2 ranking in Class 3 AP poll.

Smithville at Lafayette

❯❯ WHEN — 7 tonight

❯❯ BROADCASTS — mecsports.com (pay-per-view)

❯❯ RECORDS — Smithville 2-2 (0-1 MEC), Lafayette 2-2 (1-2 MEC)

❯❯ PLAYERS TO WATCH — Smithville: WR Andrew Townsend evolving into one of league’s best passing threats after hauling in 6 catches for 83 yards, score last week. Lafayette: WR/LB D’Andre Talton remains questionable for game with minor knee injury, could be difference-maker should he play.

❯❯ NOTES — Both teams coming off disappointing losses, hoping to stay out of MEC’s lower tier ... Irish QB Tim Nelson ruled out for season, as broken wrist has not healed as doctors had hoped. After leading by 2 scores, Warriors’ 22-21 loss to Maryville was especially disheartening, as team watched Maryville drive length of field in final minutes to score touchdown, 2-point conversion ... Irish QB D.J. Adams struggled against Savannah’s athletic secondary — completing just 41 percent of passes, tossing 4 picks ... Smithville must reverse recent trend, limit big plays on defense. Warriors have surrendered touchdowns of 50 yards or more 4 times this season.

LeBlond at Savannah

❯❯ WHEN — 7 tonight

❯❯ BROADCASTS — 1550 AM (KSFT)

❯❯ RECORDS — LeBlond 0-4 (0-3 MEC), Savannah 3-1 (1-0 MEC)

❯❯ PLAYERS TO WATCH — LeBlond: First-year senior WR/DE Mark Nold starting to make bigger impact after notching 53 receiving yards last week. Savannah: RB/DB Jake Strasser displayed athleticism, diverse skill set by rushing for touchdown after returning interception for score against Lafayette.

❯❯ NOTES — Golden Eagles still searching for 1st victory under 1st-year coach Steve Vertin ... Savages’ defense stymied another opponent last week, as coach Mark Cole’s bunch held Lafayette to just 1 score — 3rd time in 4 weeks that team has given up 7 points or less ... Since returning to MEC last year, LeBlond has yet to win conference game, has dropped 10 consecutive games ... Savages coming off hard-fought road loss to Richmond, Cole’s first non-conference loss in tenure at Savannah ... Despite winless record, Golden Eagles finding way to end zone, have scored 13 points each of past 3 weeks ... Savannah had difficult time dispatching Eagles last year, when Savages came away with 28-17 win.