There was no shortage of motivation last week for the annual rivalry game between the Chaffee and Scott City football teams.

Host Scott City was ready to avenge last year's 21-19 loss to Chaffee that had ended the Rams' dominance -- 21 straight wins -- in the series.

The rivals were on equal terms with 2-2 records.

Chaffee fans wore black long-sleeve t-shirts with the credit card logo on the front that features two circles, one red (for Chaffee) and one yellow (for Scott City). The shirt included the score 21-19 in the circles and the back read: "Pep Bus, $2; Admission, $2; Concessions, $2. Beating Scott City, Priceless."

It was a good atmosphere, with about 3,000 fans lining the field.

Interestingly, however, what helped fire up the Chaffee Red Devils in a 28-6 victory was Scott City celebrating its homecoming.

Chaffee senior Collin Dannenmueller, who scored two touchdowns, told Southeast Missourian reporter Chris Smith after the game: "It kind of ticked us off and made us want to play harder. It just got us pumped up real bad."

Ironically, Scott City's homecoming took place Friday night just by chance.

Athletic director Sally O'Brien, also the school's softball coach and cheerleading sponsor, said the school originally hoped to slate homecoming for Oct. 10, when SEMO South defending champion Hayti comes to Scott City. But since O'Brien will be busy with district softball that week, she would not be able to assist in the homecoming planning. Scott City's other home games were the season opener, and the two final games of district play, Oct. 24 and Oct. 30.

As it was, due to the state-ranked volleyball team's participation in the Arkansas State University Playday the next day, there was no homecoming dance and all the ceremonies -- parade and coronation -- took place before the game so the members of the team could get home and rest for the tourney.

About 12 to 15 football players took part in the pregame ceremonies.

Scott City turned the ball over seven times in the loss.

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State polls

The state football poll after Week 5 will be published at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, although it is likely that among local schools only Hayti (4-1) will remain in the rankings. The Indians have been in the Class 1 top 10 since the start of the year and have suffered only a 27-26 loss to Class 3 Kennett this season.

The Missouri State High School Soccer Coaches Association finally released its first poll, dated Sept. 26, and two-time defending Class 2 state champion Notre Dame checks in at No. 2 behind St. Dominic.

Perryville, which lost to Cape Notre Dame last week for its first defeat of the season, was tied for seventh.

Saxony Lutheran was listed among the others receiving votes in Class 1.

The fourth set of the state volleyball rankings came out Monday, with Leopold moving into the Class 1 poll at No. 7 (Bell City dropped out); and Scott City staying at No. 4 in Class 2 (the Rams beat Leopold on Monday to improve to 19-1-2). You can see the entire rankings by clicking here.