Semoball Football Poll: There's a new No. 1

Look at Sikeston converting more and more of the voters each week. I still think that Cape Central is being overrated but it looks like one voter came around since the points show that one voter put them in third with Caruthersville getting the second place vote.

People say that Cville doesn't have any strong teams on their schedule but they play two of the top 5 in the area according to Semoball. Talking about Hayti and Dexter! Other than them though, schedule could use a revamp!

I would have liked to had seen a Caruthersville vs. Cape Central matchup last year. I think Sikeston was on a whole different level than everybody else. But a Cville-Cape game would have been interesting.

My thoughts on small schools playing large schools. Most of the time, obviously, the large schools are going to be superior. If they play 10 times, the large team wins at least 6 or 7 of them. If they play 20 times, the large school wins 13 or 14 times. There are no doubt exceptions of course. The biggest difference is traditionally line play. In our rural area, smaller schools and larger school athletes are very similar. But it's the large school's depth and linemen that make the biggest difference.

I think back to 2001 when NMCC had their greatest team ever that was loaded with Division I skill position players. They played Sikeston that year, who was outmatched at every single position on the field except on the line. Sikeston ended up beating them 25-14, almost solely due to dominance on the line. NMCC didn't lose another game all year until the state championship game when they lost to Platte County. That's why I always thought those Jackson teams were so good 10 years ago. They just pulverized people on the line and you couldn't stop them from eating up a whole quarter.

Amen, SEMOHOOPS.

We did dominate those years. I was a player then and there is just something the teams now are lacking in every position, the coaching staff, and most of all lack of motivation.

Agreed semohoops. Line play sways a game more than almost anything. Small school teams doing as well as Caruthersville and Hayti are special teams at schools with winning traditions. That tradition leads to more numbers coming out which doesn't exactly negate the advantage of larger school teams but it can close the gap since more kids will want to come out and play.

On a side note, I wonder what Brian Rosener had to think about these rankings after saying that Sikeston was "done" after one game and proclaiming that Cape and Farmington were obviously better.

I remember the NMCC and Jackson teams from 2001. NMCC had Derek Tippler. Most people don't know it but he was originally from Caruthersville. I still have a video where we played NMCC that year. Of course they destroyed us. I also remember Jackson having a RB named Mario Whitney. That boy was on another level of any RB during that time. He was a MONSTER. The only other RB I would say that was on his level since then, that I have seen myself is Jimmy Jackson. What ever happen to Mario?

Justin Robinson, a 2000 Sikeston graduate was on that level. He was a monster, as well.

I'm sure he was but I said that I have seen myself and since Mario Whitney. The man your talking about was before him. I'm sure there are plenty who could flat out play but I only comment on players I have seen myself

Yeah, I was referring to you saying he was on 'another level of any RB during that time.' Justin was during that time.

Cheesehead you should have known a sikeston fan would have to put their two cents on the greatest sikeston player, even though it was players you have seen. Next time be smart and just put like a *great sikeston player category ;). I am glad to see sikeston at #1, I was starting to lose some sleep, and have shortness of breath.

My only guess on Rosener's comment about being done is that it's misconstrued. Maybe he meant Sikeston's undefeated run was done and somebody took the comment out of context. I'm sure he didn't mean it that after one loss that "they are done, write them off." Either way, he's got an opinion and he's entitled to share it. I personally wouldn't call Sikeston "back" at this point. They've still got a lot of injuries to heal up and improving to do, but they no doubt took a big step forward against Dexter, which surprised even me. They're probably not as good as some fans think they are and probably not as bad as some thought they were prior to the Dexter game.

I believe Mario Whitney is working with law enforcement in Sikeston if you can believe that. He's built like a tank. Looks like he could still play ball. I know one thing, foot chases will be over very quickly with him on the force.

No, Brian Rosener is not entitled to an opinion. He is a journalist and must only report facts...Ok, I can't even type that with a straight face.

I believe Rosener, along with his "done" comment, said that Sikeston was looking at a 5-5 season. This, of course, can still happen, but it isn't likely. So, in the "5-5" context, "they are done, write them off" looks like what he was saying. I would really like to hear his explanation quite honestly.

Ok, I never saw or heard his comments. I was just guessing at what might have happened.

But even journalists have opinions. That's why they blog and write opinion columns. With the power of the internet, they may be more inclined than ever to share their opinions. Although if somebody said Sikeston will be 5-5, I might politely disagree, lol. Unless a lot of the teams on the schedule are way better than I think they are.

Chill out, Buck.

In this poll, I agree that Sikeston is 1. However, I think Caruthersville is #2. I hope the Dogs improve each week because, with luck, they could be 6-1 going into the district games. Assuming they beat Perryville and Cape (which I think they will do), they will be 8-1 going into the Farmington game. As of right now, Farmington looks like the team to beat in our district.....based solely on others' opinions and from what I have read. If 8-2 or 9-1 is our "down year," I will take that every day and twice on Sundays.

Cheese; IMO the top five teams in SEMO are: 1. Sikeston 2. C'Ville 3. Cape Central 4. Dexter 5. Hayti. The top players IMO are Darrell Monroe, Elbie Fonda from C'Ville and James Watson from Sikeston. Also Tanner Murphy from Malden could be considered. I have seen these teams in person or on tape. I think Darrell Monroe will be the next major college player from our area. Here's hoping he keeps working hard and makes his grades and test score because he has awesome talent and size/speed combo. Also Mario Whitney is a ppolice officer in Sikeston, they better not try to outrun him, he is the fastest ever sprinter from our area. He had the ability to go bigtime in football or track. I also think he had legit olympic ability as a track man. Good luck to our area teams in the playoffs.

I would really hate to see someone try and outrun him! It wouldn't last long I promise you!

I don't know about fastest ever. Maybe during his time in high school

I've never seen one faster. And he did break state records in track. Who did you have in mind as being faster than Whitney?

What was his 40 time?

Whitney's time in the 200 m was 20.1. That and his legit(electronic 100m time) are proof that he was the fastest in our area's history. Now we have had alot of fast guy's from SEMO but his are recorded. His 40 time would translate to 4.34-4.35 not a 4.2 which has never been recorded electronically anywhere. We all have kind watches when hand timing our area players. IMO he could have been Olympic quality in track if he had the drive, determination and desire to do so and could have been a big time footballer as well. Too bad it did'nt work out for him. He was the fastest football player I've seen in person in 40 years of being involved in local sports.

How does Brandon Bourbon stack up against him? That kid was/is ridiculous quick!! I saw him split 2 New Madrid d'backs when they had the angle on him. It was unbelievable!!

Brandon bourbon fell on his face when he tried to catch G'darius haha. G'Darius was faster than him.

I don't think G'darius was faster than him.

Bourban was very fast, but not in the same league as Whitney. Bourbon won the 100 meters in district two straight years, defeating Stevenson head to head. Bourbon also beat him a week later in the sectional meet where Stevenson took fifth, losing to Sikeston's Ray Clark as well. So to say Stevenson was faster than Bourbon is not accurate.

There's a big difference between track fast and football fast, you guys are well educated, and both know that. G'darius wasnt the best track athlete. Bourbon wasn't as quick may be a better football term. He couldn't juke and switch like Stevenson could, G'darius was way more fluid. Rocket and semohoops did you ever see Stevenson and Bourbon play in a game against each other!? Just wondering.

Yes I'm aware of the difference between track and football fast. No I never saw Bourbon play, just saw him in track. But I've seen films and everybody I ever talked to about him said he did not lose much speed in pads. After seeing his physique, I believed them. Freakish.

As for your comment about quickness, jukes, and cuts, I'm sure that is an accurate statement. Stevenson, I imagine, could maneuver better than Bourbon.

Yes, I saw them play at NMCC.

I saw him line up against Rocket for a winner take all race, unfortunately Rocket pulled up with a cramp getting out of his sweats!

Leon can't do it all!!!!

Those were some of the funniest they've ever had....IMO!!!

http://youtu.be/3BkIh1R5utY