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Football Preview

Playoff time arrives (11/02/11)
sports@standard-democrat.com HILLSBORO -- There have been very few occasions during the past three seasons that the Sikeston Bulldogs football team have had to rebound from a lopsided loss. The 55-21 drubbing put on by the Farmington Knights last week will be their next chance to bounce back from what ended up being a loss that kicked Sikeston from a third-straight district title as well as a SEMO Conference championship as well...
Bearcats set to take on familiar foe in regional (11/02/11)
sports@standard-democrat.com DEXTER -- The Dexter Bearcats and Park Hills Central Rebels are no strangers. When the two teams meet tonight in a Class 3 regional match-up at Charles Bland Stadium in Dexter, it will be the fourth meeting in the last two years, with the Bearcats winning the prior three meetings...
Upstart Charleston hopes to sting Hornets in Class 2 regional (11/02/11)
sports@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Back in the postseason for the first time since 2007, the Charleston Bluejays will face a tough road test tonight as they get set to play the Crystal City Hornets. "They know it's a big game," Charleston head coach Brett Blackman said of his kids. "We've had a good week of practice and hopefully we're ready to compete. The kids are fired up, we're in the playoffs and we're going to see what we can do...
Winner take all (10/27/11)
sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Although they have a place in the state playoffs sewn up, the Sikeston Bulldogs want more. What they want is to be able to call themselves a three-time district champion. Once again, the Farmington Knights are standing in their way...
Jays look to slow down state-ranked Tigers (10/27/11)
sports@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Even after wrapping up a playoff birth in last week's 43-7 rout over Malden, the Charleston Bluejays enter their final game of the regular season with plenty at stake. When they host the Caruthersville Tigers tonight, the Bluejays will be playing for the Class 2, District 1 championship as well as home-field advantage in the first round of the postseason...
Sikeston preps for rivalry match-up (10/20/11)
sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Although it has lessened of late, the recent rivalry built between Sikeston and Cape Central will again rear it's head. On Friday, the tension between the two will rise, however, as they see themselves heading straight forward into a must-win situation...
Bulldogs ready for explosive Kennett (10/06/11)
sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The Kennett Indians were part of Missouri football history last week, but that's not going to sway the Sikeston Bulldogs. Kennett combined with the Malden Green Wave to score 20 touchdowns, 134 points and over 1,200 yards of offense last Friday in a 75-59 loss...
Sikeston football team ready for young NMCC (09/29/11)
"It there's something that we're looking to do, it's to be consistent through all four quarters," Sikeston coach Kent Gibbs said, "in all three phases of the game."
Sikeston football team will get road test at Jackson (09/22/11)
Sikeston has not won a game at Jackson since the 2002 season.
Familiar foes (09/15/11)
sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- When Mark Barousse left Poplar Bluff after a successful five-year run in 2001, Sikeston fans were probably not too sad to see him leave. That's because in Barousse's time as head coach, his Mules never lost to Sikeston...
'Measuring stick' (09/08/11)
sports@standard-democrat.com DEXTER -- After two weeks and a 1-1 record, Sikeston head coach Kent Gibbs is looking at Week 3 to see just where his Bulldogs are at. Sikeston will travel to Dexter on Friday night to take on the Bearcats, who are continuing to ride their post season hot streak from a season ago...
Rivalry matchup (09/01/11)
sports@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Both the Sikeston Bulldogs and the Charleston Bluejays are coming off of rare occurrences from their Week 1 games. The Bulldogs will go without a perfect regular season for the first time since 2008 after losing 34-14 to Gateway Tech while Charleston won their first game since 2009 during their dramatic come from behind victory over the Kennett Indians...
SWEET HOME: Central will play its first game on campus grounds in 100 years (08/25/11)
The Tigers will play their first game at their new $2.9 million facility on Sept. 2.
ABOUT GATEWAY TECH (08/25/11)
Coach: Jason Dulick, first year. 2010: The Jaguars went 7-5 overall and 4-1 in the Public High League. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense. Players to watch: QB/DB Paul Rice (sr., 5-10, 180), WR/DB Kalen Petty (sr., 6-2, 220), WR/DB Andre Sims (sr., 5-9, 180), RB/DB Michael Ball (jr., 6-0, 190), OL/DL Dajuan Johnson (sr., 5-9, 270), OL/DL Dominique Henderson (sr., 6-3, 280), OL/DL Bryant Williams (jr., 5-11, 250), RB/LB Kenneth West (sr., 5-7, 180), WR/DL Terrance Davidson (sr., 6-1, 190)...
Sikeston set to open with Gateway Tech (08/25/11)
SIKESTON -- Last year, the Sikeston Bulldogs football team began their season with a tough, out of state team. Although this year they're sticking within state, the caliber of opponent hasn't changed. In truly a Week 1 matchup to see, Sikeston will host the Gateway Tech Jaguars on Friday to open the 2011 high school football season...
Season Preview: Schumer returns to QB young St. Vincent football squad (08/25/11)
Tim Schumer, St. Vincent's starting quarterback for the past two seasons, suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 last season.
Season Preview: Chaffee football team try to build on playoff berth (08/25/11)
Senior Jordan Yahn will play quarterback for the Red Devils for a third year.
Season Preview: Jackson football team look to turn up the power (08/25/11)
Jackson's offense will return to its smashmouth ways.
Season Preview: Central football team will have new look after surprising 10-2 season (08/25/11)
Quarterback Christian Cavaness directed the Central offense to 10 victories and school records for points scored and yards gained in a season last year.
Season Preview: Scott City football team retools offense, focuses on 'D' (08/25/11)
Scott City will have a new quarterback in Jonathan McFall and a new running back in Travis Phillips.
Season Preview: Perryville Pirates hope to leave rough water (08/25/11)
Mike Wojtczuk took over as coach after Perryville endured an 0-10 season in 2010.
NMCC Glance (08/22/11)
Last Year: 2-7 overall District Titles: 15 (1989-92-93-95-96-97-98-99-2000-01-03-06-07-08-09) Last Conference Title: 2009 2010 Results 2011 Schedule...
Eagles looking to replace key seniors (08/22/11)
NEW MADRID -- With the loss of some of last year's biggest weapons, the New Madrid County Central Eagles will enter the 2011 season looking to fill holes on both sides of the ball. "It's a bunch of new faces," Eagles' coach Arlen Pixley said. "The kids that played last year, the sophomores and juniors, they look like they've improved. We still have five new starters on the offensive line and we're starting an entirely new defensive line...
EAST PRAIRIE Glance (08/19/11)
Last Year: 6-4 overall District Titles: 3(1975-93-94) Last Conference Title: 2009 2010 Schedule 2011 Schedule...
Eagles to feature new faces in key roles (08/19/11)
EAST PRAIRIE -- With so many of the key cogs to last year's team lost to graduation, the East Prairie Eagles will feature some new faces in key roles this year as they try to post their fourth-consecutive winning season. Taking over at starting quarterback will be senior Dalton Golightly, while fellow seniors wide receiver Philip Latamondeer, wide receiver/defensive back Shawn King and offensive guard/defensive tackle Billy Aycock are also expected to be big contributors and leaders for the Eagles this season.. ...
Bluejays seeing signs of turnaround (08/18/11)
CHARLESTON -- With a new season comes renewed optimism for the Charleston Bluejays football program. After enduring a winless 2010 campaign to push their current losing streak to 11 games, the Bluejays will enter the upcoming season eager to show fans that things are turning around...
Contact camp (06/23/11)
Sikeston football team focused on Warrenton (11/19/10)
The Bulldogs will host a state semifinal for the first time when Warrenton visits on Saturday.
Sikeston linebackers compete with each other and the competition (11/18/10)
For senior linebackers Ray Clark and Treston Pulley, there are two types of competition going on at the same time once they take the field. One is against their opponent. The second -- against one another.
Sikeston semifinal game to be webcast (11/18/10)
CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Southeast Health webcast on KFVS12.com is scheduled to present the Warrenton Warriors vs. the Sikeston Bulldogs varsity high school state semifinal football game on Saturday afternoon from Sikeston High School. Live coverage is scheduled to begin at approximately 1:30 p.m...
Just having fun! (11/16/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com SIKESTON -- For Sikeston's leading rusher and receiver, playing football for the Bulldogs is just for fun. They take punishing hits and absorb the bumps and bruises all for a chance to play with their friends one last time. "This right here is mostly for fun," senior tailback Darryl Howard said...
Sectional games tonight (11/08/10)
For more pictures and stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition....
SHS set for rematch with Cape Central (11/07/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com SIKESTON -- It will be the second time in as many years that the Sikeston Bulldogs face the same team twice if they want to advance through the Class 4 state playoffs. Last year, Poplar Bluff. Now, Cape Central. "I don't think there is any doubt it's harder to beat a good team twice," Sikeston head coach Kent Gibbs said. "And, certainly from that prospective, we're kind of at a disadvantage."...
Dexter set to take on Rebels for second time (11/07/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com DEXTER -- Much like their regional match up against the St. Genevieve Dragons last Wednesday, the Dexter Bearcats will enter Monday's sectional contest against the Park Hills Central Rebels going against a team they've already played in the regular season...
Playoffs begin (11/02/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com SIKESTON -- For the second straight season, the Sikeston Bulldogs will be playing playoff football with an unblemished record. Although the experience is there, the Bulldogs learned something about themselves and about what they can't do last week in their comeback win over the Farmington Knights...
Sikeston football team aims for district title (10/28/10)
A win over Farmington on Thursday night would give the Bulldogs back-to-back titles.
Dexter, NMCC set for key district contest (10/21/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com DEXTER -- The New Madrid County Central Eagles found themselves in a shootout last week with the Fredericktown Blackcats. They put up 36 points, which is the second most this season for them, and had plenty more chances to cross the end zone, according to head coach Arlen Pixley...
Sikeston football team ready for district kickoff (10/15/10)
The Bulldogs will look to repeat as Class 4, District 1 champions starting with the winless Perryville Pirates.
Charleston, East Prairie primed for rivalry game (10/15/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com CHARLESTON -- The Charleston Bluejays have had their struggles and East Prairie has blossomed into a playoff caliber team. Although the two teams differ in the win-loss column, things such as points per game and yardage totals don't mean much when discussing the Battle for Mississippi County...
Bulldogs, Eagles set for rivalry game (09/30/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com SIKESTON -- It's been a tale of two seasons for the Sikeston Bulldogs and the New Madrid County Central Eagles. Hampered by a top-heavy schedule and the loss of core players from last year's 9-4 team, the Eagles have struggled to a 1-4 record that include losses to undefeated Cape Central and Caruthersville with quarterback/running back G'Darius Stevenson pacing his squad...
Bulldogs set for Jackson passing attack (09/23/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com SIKESTON -- It won't be the first time the Sikeston Bulldogs have seen a pass-happy team on the other side of the field. The Jackson Indians, who sport a 2-2 record this season, will be the next aerial test the state-ranked Bulldogs will face as they try and continue their undefeated year...
SHS ready for physical Bearcats (09/09/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com SIKESTON -- Sikeston head coach Kent Gibbs isn't sure how his 2-0 Bulldogs would react if they happened to take one on the chin. After a high-scoring affair against Obion County Central in week one and the demolishing of their rival, the Charleston Bluejays, a week ago, the Sikeston Bulldogs have yet to face a tough, physical team where defense may play more of a factor than the highest yardage totals...
Bulldogs, Jays set for 125th meeting (09/02/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com SIKESTON -- First-year Charleston head coach Brett Blackman is all too familiar with the current Sikeston football team. He coached the Bulldog seniors as an assistant at Sikeston and met head coach Kent Gibbs for the first time as a sophomore football player at Jackson High School...
Football preview: Pregame speeches set stage for play on the field (08/26/10)
A well-delivered speech can provide added intensity and focus, while a poorly designed speech can be detrimental to a team's pschye in the moments leading up to kickoff.
Dexter Bearcats (08/26/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com DEXTER -- Looking to improve on last year's 5-6 record, one of the Dexter Bearcats top priorities entering the upcoming season is to prevent the lopsided losses they suffered last season. "I believe the six losses we had were by close to 30 and 40 points," Bearcat's head coach Aaron Pixley said. "You can't play like that. If we are unfortunate enough to lose a football game, it needs to be a battle all the way down to the end...
NMCC Eagles (08/26/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com NEW MADRID -- With so many of the play makers that have made the past three years so successful for New Madrid County Central graduating in May, the Eagles enter the 2010-11 season a young team needing some fresh faces to fill those voids...
SHS opens season vs. wide open offense (08/26/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com TROY, Tenn. -- The Obion County Central Rebels will prove to be a different test for the Sikeston Bulldogs football team on Friday as the Bulldogs make the trek to Troy, Tenn. for their first game of the season Friday night. The Rebels feature an offense not seen so much in Southeast Missouri...
Football preview: Graduation forces St. Vincent to rebuild (08/26/10)
The Indians enter the 2010 season with only one starter returning to the same position on offense after the graduation of Southeast Missourian Player of the Year C.J. Pavlovsky, among others.
Football preview: Jackson determined to improve on one-win season (08/26/10)
"Last year was just total disappointment," coach Van Hitt said. "We've addressed it all winter, all summer, today. ... We're going to try and turn it into the Jackson Fighting Indians again."
Football preview: Winless season fuels Cape Central (08/26/10)
"No wins really pushed you," senior Zach Boerboom said. "Just looking at last year's record, that's enough reason to get in the weight room and get back on the field."
Football preview: Chaffee returns abundance of experience at skill spots (08/26/10)
Junior quarterback Jordan Yahn will oversee an offense that returns eight players who saw significant time at skill positions. The Red Devils hope that experience translates to a more consistent offense.
Football preview: Schaefer back to lead Scott City offense (08/26/10)
"I'm a firm believer if we're doing something and we're having a lot of success, I'm not going to stop doing it," coach Jim May said. "So if we're running Garett Schaefer and Garett Schaefer is having a real good night, we're probably not going to stop giving it to Garett Schaefer.
Football preview: Perryville hopes consistency rights ship (08/26/10)
PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- After a one-win season in which points were at a premium, Perryville coach Keith Winkler is not overhauling his offense or approach. Instead, the Pirates' second-year coach is adhering to a simple principle: fewer mistakes means more points...
Preview: Expectations high for Sikeston football team (08/25/10)
"Right now, our expectations are to get back to where we were last year and then further," senior lineman Corey Porter said. "People talk about how we're not going to be as good as last year and I think all of us seniors have something to prove this year."
East Prairie Eagles (08/24/10)
sd_sports@yahoo.com EAST PRAIRIE -- East Prairie senior Conner Scott wasn't sure if his Eagles belonged in the state playoffs last year. It was the first time in 15 years that any Eagles team had made it there as nerves and inexperience in the post season engulfed each player in their first round loss to Crystal City which ended their season...
Preview: Portageville Bulldogs football (08/23/10)
The Portageville Bulldogs tasted victory for the first time in four seasons last year and finished with a 4-6 record.
2009-10 Naylor Girls Basketball Preview (11/24/09)
Head Coach: Gene Deckard, 2nd year (18-9) Last Season: 18-9 (won Class 1 district, lost to Bakersfield in sectional) District: N/A Last district title: 2009 Key Returners: Moriah Goodrum, Katelyn Hughey, Holly Deckard, Kendal Rogers Overview: The Naylor Lady Eagles are healthy, revamped and ready to roll this year after an appearance in the sectional round last year...
Tribe to battle Dexter for spot in playoffs (10/28/09)
There may have been more than a few eyebrows raised back in April when Kenneth "Red" Riedinger said that he expected the Kennett Indians to make the playoffs this fall. After all, the Indians had just graduated 15 seniors and not made the playoffs since 1986...
Tribe needs help to break playoff drought (10/22/09)
Saying that the New Madrid County Central Eagles have been a thorn in the side of the Kennett Indians is like saying that Michael Jordan was a pretty good basketball player. The Eagles have won four straight games against Kennett in dominating fashion, winning those games by an average score of 40-10 and rolling 64-7 last fall to eliminate the Indians from postseason contention...
Tribe faces biggest game of year Friday (10/15/09)
Last fall, the Kennett Indians entered district play with just one loss and as a favorite to beat a Perryville team that had struggled all season. It didn't happen. The Pirates ran off 24 straight points to upset Kennett 31-12, propelling Perryville to a playoff berth and handing the Tribe a loss it never recovered from...
Showtime starts Friday for area football teams (10/13/09)
The last seven weeks have been dress rehearsal. Now the show starts in earnest for area football teams. Friday night marks the opening of district play for Missouri high school football teams, with the top two teams in those four-team districts advancing to the postseason...
Jackson football preview: Indians want return to state semifinals (08/27/09)
Jackson senior Henrie Williams said the team won't rest on last season's success.
Perryville football preview: Winkler moves across town (08/27/09)
Keith Winkler, who spent the last nine years as the coach of St. Vincent High School in Perryville, is now the leading the Pirates.
NMCC seeks offensive balance, physicality (08/31/08)
By Josh Mills ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com NEW MADRID -- Experience or no experience, one thing that New Madrid County Central football will have year-in and year-out is an explosive offense. This year will be no different for the Eagles. "We've got depth," said head coach Arlen Pixley of his offense for 2008. "We're the richest-depth running back program in the state. I'll tell you that right now. We've got guys that you'll know their names before the season's up."...
Portageville aims to end winless streak (08/31/08)
By Josh Mills ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com PORTAGEVILLE -- After battling through three straight football seasons without a mark in the win column, the Portageville Bulldogs are looking to get out to a hot start in 2008. Head coach Lee Wallace said that the Bulldogs have been practicing hard throughout the summer and early in the school year, but that there is a lot of gray areas as far as positions are concerned...
Eagles try to build off last year's strong finish (08/31/08)
By Chris Pobst ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com EAST PRAIRIE -- Entering his 11th year as a football coach and his second season in his second stint with the East Prairie Eagles program, head coach Jason Aycock is taking what he believes is the best senior class he's ever had as far as leadership qualities are concerned into a brand new 2008 regular season...
Dexter relies on leadership in quest to return to playoffs (08/31/08)
By Chris Pobst ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com DEXTER -- After a 1-3 start to last year's campaign, the Dexter Bearcats pulled off a five-game win streak that gave them a chance to claim the Class 3 District 1 title against rival New Madrid County Central in the last regular season game of the year...
Charleston will try to build off 2007 playoff experience (08/31/08)
By Chris Pobst ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com CHARLESTON -- It's always a good thing when a football team comes into a new season as a reigning champion. That is what the Charleston Bluejays will be doing this year after winning the Class 2 District 1 championship last season. Something that hasn't been done in Charleston since 2004...
Sikeston installs new offense, new attitude (08/31/08)
By Josh Mills ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com SIKESTON -- Heading into his second campaign with the Sikeston Bulldogs, head football coach Kent Gibbs has high hopes of returning the program to where it was in years past. Last season the Bulldogs finished 2-8, winning their first two games of the season before dropping their final eight contests. The Bulldogs have not had a winning season since 2002 and are just 12-37 in the last five seasons...
Sikeston has experienced many decades of success (08/31/08)
1908-1909 (3-0-0) Little information was kept about the first two seasons but it is locally known that Sikeston played none other than Charleston in the Bulldogs first high school football game in October of 1908. Sikeston Superintendent R.E. Bailey was Sikeston's coach for the first two seasons and began the storied program with a 3-0 record during his two years. Charleston did not field a team in 1909 which would end up being the only year that the two rivals did not meet...
Sikeston football known for great teams, players (08/31/08)
By Chris Pobst ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Bulldogs. It's a name that has been ingrained into the history of Southeast Missouri for 100 years. A century's worth of tradition and pride has came along with the Sikeston football program, which helped embody what the community of Sikeston is all about...
Green Wave tries to turn the tide with fresh start (08/28/08)
By ROB TATE ~ DAR Sports Writer MALDEN -- As Malden football head coach Gary Blaylock sat in his office with his coaching staff this past Friday evening prior to the team's jamboree, there was a sense of calm. While the players were getting psyched to do some hitting on the field, the atmosphere in the small room adjacent to the locker room had a relaxed feel...
Poplar Bluff football team hopes to bring back 'Mule pride' (08/18/08)
By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor Pick an offensive position. Doesn't matter which one -- quarterback, fullback or lineman -- the Poplar Bluff football team has somebody who has already started there before the 2008 season kicks off Aug. 29. Still, that doesn't mean everything is set in stone following the Mules scrimmage Saturday night at Bacon Park...
MISSOURI FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL (08/30/07)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Associated Press preseason high school football poll for Missouri, voted upon by a 12-person panel of sportswriters across the state. First-place votes in parentheses, followed by 2006 record, points and last year's final ranking...
SEMO North Division football schedules (06/11/07)
Aug. 31 -- at Parkway North Sept. 7 -- at New Madrid County Central Sept. 14 -- Blytheville (Ark.) Sept. 21 -- St. Charles Sept. 28 -- at St. Charles West Oct. 5 -- Jackson Oct. 12 -- Fort Zumwalt North Oct. 19 -- at Poplar Bluff Oct. 26 -- at West Plains...
SEMO Central Division football schedules (06/11/07)
Aug. 31 -- Sikeston Sept. 7 -- Kennett Sept. 14 -- at Cardinal Ritter Sept. 21 -- Hayti Sept. 28 -- New Madrid County Central Oct. 5 -- Festus Oct. 12 -- at Dexter Oct. 19 -- at Malden Oct. 27 -- East Prairie, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 1 -- at Charleston --- Aug. 31 -- at Kennett...
SEMO Southern Division football schedules (06/11/07)
Aug. 31 -- Grandview Sept. 7 -- at Liberty Mountain View Sept. 14 -- Crystal City Sept. 21 -- -- Sept. 28 -- Scott City Oct. 6 -- at East Prairie Oct. 12 -- at Malden Oct. 19 -- St. Vincent Oct. 26 -- at Hayti Nov. 1 -- at Portageville --- Aug. 31 -- Hayti...
MAFC Red Division football schedules (06/11/07)
Aug. 30 -- Windsor Sept. 7 -- Perryville Sept. 14 -- at Potosi Sept. 21 -- at Sullivan Sept. 28 -- Seckman Oct. 5 -- Fox Oct. 12 -- at Hillsboro Oct. 19 -- Farmington Oct. 26 -- at Desloge North County Nov. 1 -- at Festus --- Aug. 31 -- at Fox Sept. 7 -- Seckman...
MAFC White Division football schedules (06/11/07)
Aug. 31 -- at Valle Sept. 7 -- at St. Vincent Sept. 14 -- Cuba Sept. 21 -- Perryville Sept. 28 -- Bishop Dubourg Oct. 5 -- at Herculaneum Oct. 12 -- at St. James Oct. 19 -- Potosi Oct. 26 -- at Ste. Genevieve Nov. 1 -- Fredericktown --- Aug. 31 -- at Chester (Ill.)...
MAFC Blue Division football schedules (06/11/07)
Aug. 31 -- Brentwood Sept. 7 -- Orchard Farm Sept. 14 -- at Chaffee Sept. 21 -- at Ste. Genevieve Sept. 28 -- at Valle Oct. 5 -- St. Vincent Oct. 12 -- Maplewood-Richmond Heights Oct. 19 -- at Festus St. Pius Oct. 26 -- Scott City Nov. 1 -- at Grandview...
St. Vincent Indians: How easy will it be to replace Richardet (09/01/06)
St. Vincent has 10 postseason appearances since 1984, including eight in the last 13 seasons. So, after not making the playoffs last fall in a 7-3 campaign, the Indians are due to return. They won the Class 1 state championship in 2004 in their fourth final four appearance since 1998...
Southeast Redhawks: Heading in a new direction? (09/01/06)
Toughness First-year head coach Tony Samuel is able to instill the necessary toughness in the Redhawks that has been a major emphasis of his during preseason practice and that he insists all successful teams must have. "That's the only way I know," Samuel said. "Football is a very tough game. We have to be physically and mentally tougher than the people we face...
Talented seniors bolster Blue Jays (09/01/06)
CHARLESTON -- A 7-3 record would be more than acceptable to most high school football programs, but the Charleston Blue Jays had loftier goals heading into the 2005 season. A first-round district loss, 14-8, to underdog host Crystal City on a quagmire field, however, derailed...
Dexter looks for another successful campaign (09/01/06)
DEXTER -- Entering his seventh season as the head coach of the Dexter Bearcats, Aaron Pixley officially has the ball rolling at his hometown school. With a career mark of 37-25, Pixley has never had a losing season as he consistently pumps out competitive teams on a yearly basis. Heading into the 2006 season, Pixley once again appears to have the ingredients for another successful campaign...
East Prairie looks for back-to-back winning seasons (09/01/06)
EAST PRAIRIE - The East Prairie Eagles football team is looking to capitalize on a winning season last year and keep moving the program in a positive direction. The Eagles went 5-4 in 2005, the first winning season in the program since 1994. The last appearance by East Prairie in the playoffs was also back in 1994...
Can Pirates go from playoffs to 0-10 to playoffs? (09/01/06)
Perryville coach Rick Chastain has the kind of positive outlook that can view an 0-10 football season as a precursor to great things. And that's just what he's doing. Perryville was winless last season, but had three close losses in the last four weeks, including two district games...
New season brings change, optimism (09/01/06)
Not many good things can be said about the 2005 high school football season for local teams. One of them is this: It's over. And it ended quickly. For the first time since 1992, none of the six teams in the Southeast Missourian coverage area made the playoffs...
The 0-0 Red Devils look to end 34-game skid (09/01/06)
Since nearly every high school football program approaches the start of a season with some sense of optimism, it should not be surprising the struggling Chaffee program is talking victory heading into tonight's opener at Grandview. What may be different about this current Red Devils bunch is they believe they can, and they are looking to back up those words when kickoff rolls around at 7 p.m...
Portageville returns eight starters, looks to younger players (09/01/06)
PORTAGEVILLE - The Portageville Bulldogs will have a lot of senior leadership in the starting lineup for the upcoming 2006 football season. A key question is do they have the underclassmen to supplement the starters? Third-year head coach Ashley Swims will have eight senior starters on offense and defense from a team that went 3-7 last season...
No surprise this year - New Madrid expected to be good (09/01/06)
NEW MADRID -- New Madrid County Central was, far and away, Southeast Missouri's surprise team of 2005, rebounding from a 1-9 record in 2004 to a 7-3 mark last season. "Last year was a testament to our players, No. 1, buying into the system, and No. 2, coming to work hard every day," said NMCC head coach Arlen Pixley...
Eight questions with Southeast punter David Simonhoff (09/01/06)
Q. As a senior wanting to finish your college career on a winning team, what kind of feelings do you get from first-year coach Tony Samuel and the assistants that it will happen this year? A. The coaches are real positive and confident. They're confident in what they teach. I think all of that is rubbing off on the players. And we have so many players back from last year, which should help us...
Can Jackson fill holes on defense? (09/01/06)
The Indians have had mixed results in nonconference and district play over the past two seasons, but when it comes to SEMO North play, Jackson has ruled supreme. Jackson demolished its conference opponents last season, and again the Indians should be heavy favorites to win the conference crown. With its conference games bunched together in the middle of the season, a trio of wins could give the Indians a boost heading into district play...
Will Red Devils turn positive vibe into a victory? (09/01/06)
A member of the Missouri Coaches Hall of Fame, Charlie Vickery has brought a new level of excitement to the program since joining his alma mater last season. Vickery's steady hand has helped lead the Red Devils to strong turnouts for the team and its summer weight program. While the results did not come last year, Vickery seems to be the right coach to help make Chaffee competitive...
Will Rams' growing pains equal wins? (09/01/06)
Scott City faced plenty of growing pains last year, starting as many as eight sophomores at times. That experience should pay off this season. "They want to be known as the next group who continues the Scott City legacy," Rams coach Terry Flannigan said. "The next playoff group or conference championship group. They want their group to be known for many years to come."...
Are two QBs better than one? (09/01/06)
Blake Slattery and Garrett Stevens give the Tigers a pair of quarterbacks with two seasons of varsity experience each. Slattery, a senior, and Stevens, a junior, have split the playing time over the past two seasons. Last season, Stevens opened as the starter, but both spent half the season under center. The pair bring alternate styles, with Stevens more of a pocket passer and Slattery possessing the ability to pass and run...
Trio make up heart and soul of Malden team (08/31/06)
It was tough to watch from the sidelines last year, but that's the only choice senior Garrett Hartle and juniors Ryan McGee and Sean Merritt had after all three went down midseason with injuries. The trio returns this year as the heart and soul of the Malden football team...
New Coach, Fresh Start for Poplar Bluff Mules (08/31/06)
Nearly two hours before they were scheduled to take the field Friday night at Farmington's jamboree, the St. Clair Bulldogs were in the stands. The coaching staff may have come early to size up district-rival Union, but the players all wanted to see their former coach Brian Robbins and his new team...
Bulldogs Looking on the Bright Side (08/31/06)
With several starters returning and change in philosophies, the Sikeston Bulldog football team enters the 2006 season with hopes of improvement. The Bulldogs, 1-9 last season, return most of the offensive and defensive starters. And, after having a different starting quarterback every season for 10 straight years, the Bulldogs finally can breathe a little easier as their quarterback returns for his junior season...
Tribe to be tested by Bluejays (08/31/06)
CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The Kennett Indians will not have to wait long to receive one of their toughest -- perhaps their toughest -- tests of the season. The Tribe kicks off the 2006 high school football season Friday on the road against the Charleston Bluejays, who enter Friday's contest ranked No. 2 in the SEMO Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and received votes in the Associated Press Class 2 state football poll...