Football teams count down the days to Friday jamborees

Several fields across Southeast Missouri will host high school football Friday, the first real glimpse into what the next several weeks might hold in store.

Formats vary slightly from one location to the next depending on how many teams are involved, but look for each squad to get in at least 15 to 20 offensive and defensive plays Friday.

A twist this year: Teams will have had just two weeks of organized practice when they hit the field Friday. The preseason was shortened by a week because of an extra round of games added to the postseason, and that could mean a less polished look for several teams that still might become playoff contenders in October.

Friday's schedule:

At Dexter: Dexter, Kennett, Portageville, Scott City

At East Prairie: East Prairie, NMCC, Perryville, Sikeston

At Farmington, 6 p.m.: Cape Girardeau Central, Poplar Bluff, St. Clair

At Farmington, 7:30: Farmington, Jackson, Union

At Festus: Festus, Lutheran North, Maplewood-Richmond Heights

At Hillsboro, 6: Lafayette, Northwest, Rockwood Summit, Vianney

At Hillsboro, 7:30: Affton, Hillsboro, Lutheran South

At Malden: Chaffee, Charleston, Fredericktown, Malden

At Ste. Genevieve, 6: DeSoto, Park Hills Central, Ste. Genevieve, Valle

At Ste. Genevieve, 8: Crystal City, Grandview, St. Pius X, St. Vincent

At Sullivan: Houston, North County, Pacific, Salem, Sullivan, Warrenton

At Thayer: Cabool, Liberty, Thayer, Willow Springs