The Green Wave (3-1, 1-0 East) are coming off another dominating performance on both sides of the ball after a 50-0 dismantling of Kelly last week to take over first place in both district and conference standings.
The Eagles (3-1, 1-0) did exactly what they needed to against state-ranked Hayti for one half until the Indians, ranked No. 6 in the latest Missouri media poll, scored 32-unanswered points in the second half to break a 21-all tie and hand East Prairie its first loss.
In each of their four games so far, the Eagles have relied on the big play ability of standout Derez Tipler. The junior is averaging 123 rushing yards a game, which includes a 9 yard per-carry average. He's touched the ball 38 times for 520 yards and three touchdowns. He's also caught four passes for 67 yards and a score.
Malden, which has won eight straight against East Prairie including last season's 37-0 win at The Swamp, will rely heavily on running back Tray Stevenson. The senior is averaging 177 yards per game and 9.7 yards per carry with 11 touchdowns.
-- BEN STRIKER