What we learned from Week 1

Observations from opening weekend:

• With a 34-game string of losses, Chaffee was among the what-ifs of Week 1, but the Red Devils were among the surprises of the night: surprising not because of the win, but because of the ease of it. Chaffee dominated Grandview and, based on that alone, has the second-best record in the SEMO South behind Malden and ahead of Portageville and Scott City. This is a team that not only shown it can win, but that it could be a player in the league.
• Sikeston was expected to be improved after last season's letdown, but its opening-night loss to Caruthersville leaves lingering doubts. Sure, we knew Caruthersville had weapons, but for the Tigers to gang up on what has consistently been among the area's top programs was almost startling. And it doesn't bode well for a team facing what might be the region's toughest schedule -- its next four opponents are ranked in the top 10 on the SemoSportsWeb.com PowerPoll. Ouch.
• And speaking of Caruthersville impressions: Wow. Its matchup Sept. 15 against Cardinal Ritter and Sept. 22 against Hayti suddenly rank among must-see games through the early part of the schedule.
• One week into the season, East Prairie already faces a crossroads: Regroup for Corning, Ark., on Friday, or settle into a frustrating path for Weeks 2-10. The Eagles returned talent and skill Friday against Hayti and watched it fizzle in what was expected to be an exciting rematch of last year's shootout. As a reward, East Prairie on Friday faces a Corning team coming off a 48-7 win over Rector, Ark.