It's time to raise the curtain, so Moniteau's hoping to put on a show.

The Warriors return a veteran unit from a year ago and host defending Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference champion Clarion-Limestone at 7 p.m. Friday.

Moniteau defeated the Lions 21-7 on the road to close out the 2004 regular season and posted its first football win over C-L since 1986.

"That game is making a difference in our kids' attitudes right now," Moniteau coach Steve Wilson said. "They're not hoping to win or concerned about opening the year against the two or three-time conference champs - they expect to win this game."

C-L coach Todd Smith knows all about winning. He's 22-3 in two years at the helm and led the Lions to the District 9 Class A title game a year ago.

He figures Moniteau should expect to win as well.

"We only have four seniors and we've been moving a lot of kids around," Smith said. "We like to teach our kids how to play multiple positions because we only have 24 players.

"If someone gets hurt, someone else has to change positions."

That system came in handy last year when all-state quarterback Hayden Johnston went down with an injured spleen late in the season.

Scott Davis, a sophomore at the time, moved from tailback to quarterback. His first game behind center was against Moniteau and he completed just five of 16 passes for 38 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions.

He did rush for 104 yards in the contest.

"Their quarterback is very athletic and they like to roll him out," Wilson said. "We need to contain that kid. Our size has to neutralize their speed."

"Scotty is a tough kid," Smith said. "He finished eighth in the state in wrestling last year. Not many quarterbacks do that."

David "Tuffy" Brooks caught 30 passes for 500 yards as an all-conference tight end last year. He's shifted to running back this season.

Neil Reynolds was the Lions' fullback last season and he's moving to guard.

"We have unselfish players who play for us," Smith said. "That's how we win. It's tough asking a junior fullback to move to guard for his final year, but Neil did it because he knew it would help the team."

C-L has six starters returning on offense: Davis, Brooks, Reynolds, senior receiver Kaleb Klosky, senior center Sheldon Champion and junior guard Jesse Zahoran.

On defense, Davis and Brooks return in the secondary, Reynolds and Zahoran are back at linebacker, while Bobby Beidl is back at end.

Beidl, a junior, stands 6-feet-8 and weighs 299 pounds. Besides 272-pound freshman Aaron Evans, the Lions don't have another player who weighs as much as 200 pounds.

"Besides those two kids, people say we look like a junior high team," Smith said.

By comparison, Moniteau has 14 players weighing more than 200 pounds.

"We can't let up on any special teams play, not on any play," Wilson said. "That team can be so dangerous."

Smith said Moniteau may be the best team C-L faces all season.

"Matt Schandelmeier might be the best player we face on either side of the ball," he said. "Adam Cousins is the perfect complement for him at halfback.

One's big and powerful, the other quick and speedy. They are going to give teams headaches."

Win or lose, neither coach has any problem opening against the other one.

"You have to play them sometime," Smith said. "We have four seniors who have won three championships. We're young, but we'll get better as we go.

"Winning or losing the first game doesn't make or break your season."

"I like our schedule this year," Wilson said. "Our bigger games are more spaced out. And no doubt, this is one of our bigger games."