Want to wave a red flag in front of the Burroughs Bombers. Just print it with last year’s football score against MICDS: “45-20.” The Bombers need no further motivation.

But last year’s MICDS star power has pretty much scattered. Michael Scherer is at Mizzou; Thomas Miltello at Dartmouth and Jack Howell at Brown.

On the flip side, Burroughs is giddy over the prospects of Ezekiel Elliott shredding the Rams defense Saturday, kickoff 2 p.m. on the Rams home turf.

Coach Gus Frerotte knows better. He has his Bombers looking at this game with the greatest of caution. He knows so much is riding on this bitter rivalry.

Burroughs is 4-0; having steam rolled Cape Girardeau Central, Lutheran South, Priory and Lutheran North. MICDS has struggled out the gate, having a 1-3 record coming into this much anticipated game.

Elliott, everyone’s favorite back has rushed 39 times for 597 yards) a gaudy 16.2 yards per carry) and 17 TDs to lead the area in scoring.

Ohio State’s Head Coach Urban Meyer (Elliott gave a verbal to the Buckeyes earlier this year) is watching closely,

“We approach this like all our other games. I do know for our seniors this will be the last 48 minutes they get to face the Rams,” said the Burroughs coach.

“We don’t want this to get too emotional for our kids,” said Frerotte.

“We want each player to do their assignment, do their job and we’ll see what happens.”

After four weeks, Frerotte has settled on quarterback junior transfer (Springfield Catholic) Nick Duncan over sophomore Tre Moore.

Duncan has hit on a limited 25 of 33 throws (75 percent completion mark) and 5 TDs. He wants to get the ball to brilliant receiver Foye Oluokun more. Oluokun has 7 catches for 149 yards, 21.0 yards per catch.

MICDS coach Josh Smith knew it would be tough this year, with 27 seniors moving on. “We are still looking for consistency as we approach the halfway point. We have seen some great individual efforts from (wide receiver) Alim Muhammad (Patch MVP of the week last week) and senior rusher Denzell Conway.”

Conway has rushed for 414 yards and 3 TDs. Muhammad has 13 catches for 273 yards and 3 TDs. Quarterback Shane Combs has completed 12 of 29 strikes for 287 yards and 3 TDs.

All things equal, the Rams need to slow down Elliott or it might just be a very long day.

Take the outcome poll and tell us in the comments your best memories of this great rivalry.