Week 2: Bluff at New Madrid Central

Two teams coming off a playoff appearance last season find themselves 0-1 after lop-sided losses last week will meet tonight in New Madrid.

The Poplar Bluff Mules and New Madrid County Central Eagles needed overtime last year with the visiting Eagles winning 42-36.

Here's a look at five storylines to watch tonight:

* Can the Mules stop G'Darius Stevenson? Last year he scored five times, including the opening snap of overtime, against Poplar Bluff's defense, running for 144 yards and throwing for 178 more on 5-of-12 passing.

* Does the trainer for Poplar Bluff get overtime pay? Already without their top three safeties last week and a slew of banged up players, the Mules lost junior QB Michael Griggs to a broken collarbone at practice this week and defensive lineman TJ Williams broke his wrist. Griggs couldn't play until Week 4 due to an offseason rules violation but his loss can't be good for the morale of the team.

* Can the Eagles line hold up? Central coach Arlen Pixley said he used eight different combinations in last week's 41-6 loss at Cape Central. The Mules have a senior-led offensive line that only lost one starter and now has one full week of practice together after some injury troubles kept them apart.

* Will senior Josh Freeman get a break? Poplar Bluff's quarterback was also the leading tackler last week at linebacker. Mules coach Shane Kearbey said backup QB Kortez Ellis may see some time to give Freeman a break.

* Which offense will take off? The Mules have not scored 13 or more points in a game only five times in Kearbey's 23 games as head coach while the Eagles averaged 33 points a game last year. Both of Poplar Bluff's scores last week came on 54-yard plays and the Mules were 1-of-8 on third downs. The Eagles were held to just three first downs against Central and scored on Stevenson's 97 yard run.

WEATHER REPORT (from the National Weather Service) Clear with a kickoff temperature near 74. Low around 53 with a north, northwest wind 5-8 mph becoming calm.

HISTORY This will be the ninth meeting between the schools with the Mules holding a 5-3 advantage in the series. Central's win last year was the first for the Eagles since the series restarted in 2006.

IF YOU DON'T GO: I'll provide updates through our Twitter and Facebook pages after scores and end of quarters. (Note that I also have to take photos on road games so the updates may be short and less often.)