More than an undefeated Midland Empire Conference record will be on the line when Savannah heads north to take on Maryville tonight.

For the second year, the longtime rivals will clash in the “71 Showdown” and play for a traveling trophy — a refurbished U.S. Highway 71 road sign decorated with logos from both teams.

Following Maryville’s 21-0 win last year, the trophy currently resides in coach Chris Holt’s office. And that’s exactly where he hopes to keep it.

“It’s pretty big to put in the trophy case, and it’s important to our kids,” Holt said. “You put that trophy in your case this week, you know you’re in pretty good shape in the MEC race.”

The Spoofhounds earned their biggest win to date last week with a 7-0 win against Chillicothe but don’t have a time let up against a Savannah that’s allowed the fewest points in the conference and has two shutouts under its belt. With a win, Maryville (5-1, 5-0 MEC) would need only a Week 10 win against Bishop LeBlond to claim its second league title in three seasons, third in six years.

A victory for the Savages would set up a potential tie at the top of the standings.

Although the trophy doesn’t yet have the tradition of other rivalries around the state, Holt hopes another close contest will simply add to the competitive rivalry he shares with close friend and former GRC rival Mark Cole, who holds an overall record of 12-4 in his second year at Savannah.

“I think right now it’s in its early stages,” Holt said. “As long as we keep the tradition up, it will become a bigger item. The more the thing goes back and forth, the more valuable it will be.”

Grounded Cardinal

After yet another strong start to the season, Lawson running back Devin Mellon finds himself derailed because of a series of injuries.

The powerful Cardinals’ senior — a two-time state wrestling champion — is expected to miss his second consecutive game with a nagging wrist injury that has him in a cast. Mellon also suffered a minor knee injury two weeks ago against Mid-Buchanan that bothered him and limited his mobility.

Despite Mellon’s maladies, Lawson coach Todd Dunn is expecting to see his standout back on the field before the end of the season.

“Oh yeah, we’re definitely expecting him to play again,” Dunn said. “He’s a tough guy, so well see. But we’re not going to rush him back in if he’s still hurting.”

In Mellon’s absence, junior Clint McGaugh stepped into the primary backfield role last week against East Buchanan. In his first varsity start on the offensive side of the ball, McGaugh rolled up 80 yards and reached the end zone twice on a pair of 4-yard runs.

Should he need to, Dunn also has several other options to turn to — including Derek Biddix, Johnny Sutphin and Jacob Gamber — in the Cardinals’ Wing-T attack.

“It is nice to have guys step up,” Dunn said. “You can never replace a guy like (Mellon), but we expect them to step in there and perform.”

Whitmore sidelined for season

On track for a breakout year, Alex Whitmore’s promising season derailed in a hurry.

Mid-Buchanan’s junior tailback suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament midway through the Dragons’ loss to Lawson two weeks ago. A recent trip to the doctor confirmed the injury. It marks the team’s second season-ending ACL injury this year after center/linebacker Alex Gross tore his the week before against Gallatin.

Whitmore earned second-team, all-conference honors last season after rushing for 820 yards and 10 touchdowns and was well on his way to breaking both of those marks.

Mid-Buchanan coach David Rapp hopes the Dragons can nearly match Whitmore’s production with a combination of running backs Tyler Marable and Christian Robbins, along with quarterback Drew Gray.

“It’s working out all right, but it is frustrating,” Rapp said. “There’s nothing you can do about it. That’s just how it goes.”

While he received limited opportunities last week, Robbins provides a similar quick-strike threat to Whitmore and piled up 90 total yards on eight touches and hauled in two interceptions against Plattsburg.

Red Hawks rolling

Led by junior Camron Leupold, a resurgent rushing attack has helped Hiawatha turn its program around in a hurry.

From 2006-2008, the Red Hawks only won a combined three games in three full seasons, including a winless 2006 campaign. But Hiawatha has reeled off four straight wins heading into tonight’s Big 7 Conference tilt against Royal Valley thanks to a big-play rushing attack.

The compact Leupold already has piled up more than 1,400 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns with the help of his superlative speed, but a new philosophy has boosted his numbers, as well.

“I always knew he had great vision, but he’s also putting his shoulders down and taking on a lot more contact,” Hiawatha coach Chris Diller said. “That’s definitely something we didn’t see very much of last year.”

Leupold isn’t alone, however, as backfield teammate Marc Washington has 515 yards to his credit and is averaging more than 10.7 yards per carry.

Hiawatha’s four-game streak is the team’s best run since winning its first six games to open the 2005 season.

Sports reporter Andy Meyer can be

reached at andymeyer@npgco.com