Football

The Caruthersville Tigers finished their 2021-2022 season with a 2-7 record. Not their best showing to say the least. However, the program is set up to be successful in the future. While many people in a small town care about their high school football, it is more than just a game. These are kids who will one day be the future of this country...

A trio of Jackson football players will take their talents to the next level after recently signing National Letters of Intent. Defensive back Blake Blackman, offensive lineman Liam Bryant and offensive lineman Ashton Flinn will all move on to play college football next season...

The sport of football can teach a young student-athlete many life lessons. Discipline, accountability and work ethic are just a few of the things one can learn from playing the game. But at the end of the day, these are still student-athletes and academic success is just as, if not more, important as on-field success...

This story will be updated. POPLAR BLUFF — When he was a freshman, Tray’von Thomas watched Ivory Winters lead the Hayti football team to a state championship and win the Carr Trophy. Wednesday night at the 76th Gridiron Banquet presented by the Poplar Bluff Letter Club, Thomas joined Winters, becoming Hayti’s second player named most outstanding in the SEMO Conference...

Jackson and Hayti led the Semoball coverage area in All-State football selections. Both Indians teams combined for 14 selections, each landing seven on their respective class' three teams. Hayti senior quarterback Trayvon Thomas received the highest honors in the region, being named the Class 1 Offensive Player of the Year in addition to being named to the All-State first team...

Prior to his Portageville High School football team facing Caruthersville in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 1 playoffs, Bulldog coach Ian Penrod was extremely cautious as he spoke about the Tigers.

Area coaches released their All-Region football team on Wednesday morning. The team is made up of players nominated by their coach. The number of players named to the team is based upon the team’s seed in district. They are: 1st Place: 8 Offense, 8 Defense, 3 roving nominations...

MISSOURI MEDIA RANKINGS A look at rankings from a 10-member panel of media members from around the state with current record, points based on votes with first place votes in parentheses and previous ranking. CLASS 6 Also receiving votes: SLUH (7-4) 13...

Former Jackson and current Southwest Baptist quarterback Cooper Callis has been nominated for the 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy. Callis, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior, is one of 36 student-athletes to be nominated for the award. Callis made waves under center this season, going 303-438 for 3,712 yards 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. ...

The finalists for the Carr Trophy and Derland Moore Award are set for the 76th Poplar Bluff Letter Club Gridiron Banquet, which will be held Wednesday, Dec. 15, at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff. Kennett running back Jordan Jarrett, Hayti quarterback Trayvon Thomas and Poplar Bluff quarterback Kannon Carr are the finalists for the Carr Trophy, presented annually since 1979 to the most outstanding player in the conference...

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Jackson struggled early against Webb City's potent option attack, and couldn't get much going offensively against the Cardinals' defense. But the Indians wouldn't go down without a fight. The Cardinals held a 35-6 lead midway through the third quarter before momentum shifted in Jackson's favor...

MARCELINE – In its recent 26-22 MSHSAA Class 1 Quarterfinal win over Monroe City, the Hayti football team demonstrated that it was athletic and talented enough to overcome committing a dozen penalties, turning the ball over three times, AND digging itself a 22-point deficit, and still come out on top.

Logan Bruns is in a bit of paradox. As much as Jackson’s prized kicker enjoys watching his offense skate past Class 5’s best, he hopes for an opportunity to exhibit his long range accuracy. It won’t happen at the Indians’ current clip. Jackson (12-0), which travels to Webb City (9-3) on Saturday for a state semifinal matchup, averages 48.8 points a game and has rarely been stopped in scoring territory...

Jackson has an opportunity to compete for a third straight state championship with a victory on Saturday. But to get there, the Indians have to get past a tough road test against perennial powerhouse Webb City, led by Missouri Hall of Fame coach John Roderique...

The Marceline and Hayti High School football squads are a study in contrast in several ways.

HAYTI – At halftime of Hayti’s MSHSAA Class 1 football quarterfinal game against Monroe City on Saturday, you would’ve been hard-pressed to find any Indian follower that felt a shred of confidence in their favorite team prevailing on this day.

JACKSON, Mo. — The first three minutes must have seemed like an eternity for Jackson in Friday night's Class 5 state quarterfinal. Rockwood Summit came out hot, scoring its first touchdown less than two minutes into the game. Then, Indians returner Flint Guilliams fumbled on the ensuing kickoff return paving the way for another Falcons score...

There are probably no more successful MSHSAA Class 1 football programs than Hayti and Monroe City over the past six seasons.

The Jackson Indians may face their toughest challenge of the season thus far when they host undefeated Rockwood Summit in a MSHSAA Class 5 Football State Quarterfinal matchup. The Indians are coming off a 52-14 Class 5 District 1 championship blowout over Seckman last week, while Rockwood won its district 23-13 over Eureka...

JACKSON, Mo. — On his biggest stage as the starter, Jackson quarterback Cameron Marchi showed up and showed out. Marchi threw a career-high six touchdown passes to four different receivers in the Indians' 52-14 Class 5 District 1 championship victory over Seckman on Friday night at The Pit...

PARK HILLS – The final memory for Kennett High School football fans of Indian senior Jordan Jarrett will be a magnificent one. Or two.

NEW MADRID — What looked primed to be a stunning New Madrid County Central comeback turned into a heart-breaking defeat Friday when the Eagles hosted Lift for Lift in the Class 2, District 1 championship. Shortly after NMCC erased a three-score second-half deficit the Eagles saw turnovers and a stout Hawk run game upend their season, 58-34, with Lift for Life earning their first title in program history...

College Volleyball SEMO 3 Morehead St. 0 High School Football Class 1 District Final Hayti 48 Scott City 15 Class 2 District Final Lift for Life 58 New Madrid County Central 34 Class 3 District Final Park Hills Central 51 Kennett 6 Class 5 District Final...

The weather forecast for tonight’s MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 championship game between visiting Kennett (8-2) and host Park Hills (Central) (9-1) is calling for it to be a frigid affair with temperatures dipping into the high 20’s, so toughness is going to be at a premium.

Just two Southeast Missourian coverage-area teams remain in this year’s district playoffs. The undefeated Jackson Indians will host second-seeded Seckman in the Class 5 District 1 championship on Friday, while No. 3-seeded Scott City will travel to state-ranked Hayti with the Class 1 District 1 title on the line...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Finding themselves back in the Class 2, District 1championship game, the NMCC Eagles have one advantage this year — they get to host. Last year, the Eagles went on the road and lost the Class 2, District 1 championship to Jefferson (Festus) 42-20. But this year, with an 8-1 record, NMCC will host the talented Lift for Life Academy Charter Hawks, a team who is used to being on the road, not having a field to call home...

DONIPHAN, Mo. — The Sikeston seventh and eighth grade boys basketball teams opened the season with convincing wins in Doniphan Monday. Seventh grade Sikeston 51, Doniphan 29 Sikeston (1-0) held Doniphan to just two made field goals in the first half en route to a convincing 51-29 road win Monday...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — For opposing defenses, the New Madrid County Central offense can be a nightmare to defend. With an accurate, strong-armed quarterback in senior Matt Riley, a consistent running threat in senior Corvel Williams and dominate offensive line, the Eagles have the base for a great offense. Throw in a wealth of wide receivers, and NMCC can be hard to stop...

KENNETT — The Kennett football team overpowered the Dexter Bearcats on the front line to beat them 45-9 in a MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 semifinal Friday night at Metz Cherry Stadium. Kennett senior Jordan Jarrett rushed for 257 yards and scored four touchdowns rushing and one receiving...

JACKSON, Mo. — Jackson came out rested and refreshed Friday night after receiving a bye in the first round of the Class 5 District 1 tournament. The Indians showed no signs of rust, either, rolling past Mehlville 59-7 at The Pit. Mehlville surprised Jackson out of the gate, picking up a solid chunk of yards on a run to the outside. But three plays later the Indians would force a fumble which was recovered by safety Flint Guilliams...

NEW MADRID – In their program’s brief history the Kelly Hawks have never beaten New Madrid County Central, going into Friday’s Class 2, District 1 semifinal matchup having lost all three previous meetings. That first win in their district rivalry will have to wait at least another year...

IMPERIAL, Mo. — A dramatic finish was set up by early missed opportunities for the Poplar Bluff football team. The Mules trailed by 14 with a little over seven minutes remaining but had a chance to take the lead after a long touchdown pass with 89 seconds to play...

College Soccer SIUE 3, SEMO 0 College Volleyball SEMO 3, Murray State 1 High school football Jackson 59, Mehlville 7 Seckman 35, Poplar Bluff 34 Kennett 45, Dexter 9 New Madrid County Central 44, Kelly 3 Scott City 49, St. Vincent 14 Hayti 52, Caruthersville 13...

The journey of life is not only often interesting in its destinations, but in how it plays out for reasons completely unknown at the time.

KELLY AT NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL Records: Kelly 7-3; NMCC 7-1 Last week: Kelly defeated Jefferson (Festus) 22-21; NMCC had a bye Series history: NMCC leads 3-0 Last meeting: 2019, NMCC won 48-18 Notes: Kelly picked up a thrilling Class 2, District 1 quarterfinal win last week, upsetting defending district champion Jefferson 22-21. ...

SCOTT CITY – It will be a surreal moment for Scott City High School junior quarterback Devin Keller on Friday, as he takes the field at St. Vincent in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 1 playoff at 7 p.m.

New Madrid County Central football followers are very cognizant of the magnificence of senior running back Corvell Williams, senior quarterback Matt Riley, and senior pass-catchers Shamar Williamson, Marcelous Phillips, Adrian Smith, and Ken King.

Seckman junior quarterback Cole Ruble has run for more than 2,100 yards this season, the most of any St. Louis area player and within striking distance of a top-20 rushing season in Missouri history. If Poplar Bluff wants a shot at the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 title, the Mules will have to stop Ruble and the Jaguars Friday night...

Dexter football coach Aaron Pixley isn’t ready to hang up his whistle yet. Pixley and assistant coach James Sneed were honored with a football signed by the Class of 2021 at halftime of Friday night’s game against Doniphan. Both will retire from teaching at the end of the school year...

SCOTT CITY – The emphasis in creating effective offensive linemen in football is almost always to make them bigger.

Kelly picked up a thrilling Class 2 District 1 victory against Jefferson on Friday night, beating the Blue Jays 22-21 to advance to the semifinals. Down 21-14 late in the game, the Hawks marched down the field and scored on an 11-yard pass from freshman quarterback Skyler Still to senior receiver Kaleb Ziegler. Kelly converted the ensuing two-point conversion to take a 22-21 lead, ultimately winning the game...

SCOTT CITY – Veteran Scott City High School football coach Jim May has his team executing at peak level at just the right time this fall, as the Rams (8-2) have won seven consecutive games entering Friday’s MSHSAA Class 1 District 1 playoff game at St. Vincent. But zooming out, last week’s 48-6 rout of Malden in the postseason opener, adding to another special season for the Rams, is really a continuation of the Jim May-era, Part II, in Scott City.

FESTUS, Mo. — The Sikeston Bulldogs football season came to a screeching halt Friday night in a 48-6 loss to Festus in the first round of the Class 4, District 1 Tournament. Sikeston head football coach Treston Pulley knew that Festus would be difficult to contain, especially with their strong passing game that had the Tigers throwing for over 2,300 yards on the year...

SCOTT CITY – The football programs at Malden and Scott City high schools met on Friday in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 1 District 1 playoffs and it was obvious quickly that they were heading in different directions.

POPLAR BLUFF - Takeaways turned into points for the Poplar Bluff football team Friday night. The Mules scored three times after Oakville turnovers set up short scoring drives in Poplar Bluff’s 42-7 win in the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 quarterfinal at Mules Stadium...

PORTAGEVILLE — Chaos was written all over Friday night’s district opener between Caruthersville and Portageville as the underdog Tigers moved on to face Pemiscot County rival Hayti in a Class 1, District 1 semifinal next Friday night with a 26-20 win...

College Volleyball SEMO 3, Austin Peay 0 High school football Class 1 District Quarterfinals Hayti 68, Chaffee 8 Caruthersville 26, Portageville 20 St. Vincent 43, Charleston 8 Scott City 48, Malden 6 Class 2 District Quarterfinals Lift for Life 1, East Prairie 0 (forfeit)...

IMPERIAL, Mo. — After giving up a 55-yard touchdown run to Seckman quarterback Cole Ruble on the third offensive play of the game, the Jaguars recovered an onside kick. The Jaguars had an opportunity to take an early two-score lead, but Tigers had other ideas...

It hasn’t been difficult to see the improvement within the Portageville High School football on the field this season.

Sikeston senior Dylan Thornbrough is known as the leader of the Bulldog soccer team. But the standout doesn’t just excel on the soccer pitch, serving double duty as the kicker and punter on the Sikeston football team as well...