Football

Winter finalists, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, have been announced for the 2022 Semoball Awards, presented by SoutheastHEALTH. This year's event — which returns to its roots as the awards show goes back to a gala-style format following two years of alternative plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic — will take place on Friday, July 8, at LaCroix Church (3102 Lexington Ave.) in Cape Girardeau, Mo...

When Al Young's name wasn't called during the 2022 NFL Draft, he prepared himself for the possible end of his football career. "I was getting told that I would go in the sixth or seventh round," Young said. "I was kind of nervous, thinking, 'That's probably it.' After that last name was called, I looked at my family and said 'Maybe this is meant to be. It's probably over.' "...

Midway through the SEMO Conference Baseball Tournament championship game, Kennett senior pitcher Tanner Duncan had a nice evening at Capaha Field begin to go awry and it had nothing to do with the approaching thunderstorm that ultimately ended the game after five innings.

Looking back at the progress the Doniphan football program has made since returning to the varsity level, Jeremy Stout recalls the hard work the students-athletes put in during, and then after, practices. “Right in the middle of our football field there was an old barn about to fall down,” Stout said...

Former Cape Central standout Al Young signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent on Sunday. Young recorded 23 total tackles, 11 pass breakups, two interceptions and recovered two fumbles during his senior season at Jackson State. Prior to playing for the Tigers, Young spent five seasons with Southeast Missouri State where he made 71 total tackles, broke up 26 passes, made seven interceptions and recovered a fumble...

SIKESTON — It was all about having fun as local youth developed a love for the game of football at the Lincoln League Flag Football Championship on Sunday, April 24, at Sikeston High School. The Lincoln League was established in 2017 during the annual Return to Sunset at Lincoln Memorial Park and each year the league has grown into a more competitive and diverse league, now serving over 100 children...

The Doniphan football program will have a new coach next fall after Jeremy Stout recently resigned after leading the Dons during their first four varsity seasons back on the gridiron. “Coach Stout did a good job with the program during my three years here. I feel like he was passionate about the program,” Doniphan R-I Superintendent Brad Hagood said...

For three years, Cameron Marchi sat behind his cousin — one of the most prolific quarterbacks in Missouri high school football history Cael Welker. In 2021, his senior year, Marchi got his turn. And he delivered. The senior quarterback led the Jackson Indians to a 12-1 record and a third straight state semifinal berth after throwing 2,693 yards, 40 touchdowns and just four interceptions, earning him Southeast Missourian Football Player of the Year honors...

The 2022 Semoball Awards, presented by SoutheastHEALTH, returns to its roots as the awards show goes back to a gala-style format following two years of alternative plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's event will take place on Friday, July 8, at LaCroix Church (3102 Lexington Ave.) in Cape Girardeau, Mo...

Jackson long snapper/offensive lineman Nicholas McClard signed a letter of intent to play football at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Mo. McClard, a senior long-snapper for the Indians, chose S&T because of its premier engineering program...

After suffering a career ending knee injury during football season, Sikeston senior athlete Trey Scott proved to everyone that perseverance, hard work and a whole lot of guts, truly does pay off. “Trey is something rare; work ethic like his is something you just do not see anymore,” said Sikeston wrestling coach Blake Angle. “He is not a big ‘rah rah’ guy. He’s humble, he goes under the radar and just puts the work in.” ...

Jackson football standout Ryley Styer recently signed a letter of intent to further his education and play football at Missouri Baptist University in Creve Coeur, Mo. Styer, a two-year defensive starter for the Indians, played linebacker and safety for the Indians on their state championship team in 2020 and state semifinal team this past season...

EAST PRARIIE, MO — Andrew Owens signed a National Letter of Intent to play NAIA football and further his education at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo. during a ceremony at East Prairie High School on Friday, Feb. 25. Owens was a three-year starter for the Eagles and served as a captain this past season while playing multiple positions on both sides of the ball...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Portageville senior Josh Adams signed his national letter of intent to play college football at Finlandia University on Feb. 28 in front of family and friends. Adams, a 5-9, 165-pound, running back rushed for 1,118 yards and scored 16 touchdowns in helping lead the Bulldogs to a 6-4 record his senior year...

"Humbling," is the word Jackson coach Brent Eckley used to describe his feelings after being named to the 2022 Missouri Football Coaches Hall of Fame class. He, along with Ted Lepage (Blair Oaks), Farrell Shelton (Kirkwood) and Pat Richard (Oak Grove) will be officially inducted on Dec. 9...

Cape Central senior Cameron Harris recently signed his letter of intent to further his education and play football at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. “Cam has been a steady player on the field and has always been very coachable and willing to work,” Cape Central football coach Kent Gibbs said. “He’s a hard-working kid who goes about his business without much fanfare and does not like to draw attention to himself but expects his teammates to work just as hard as he does.”...

Malden standout D'Angelo Austin recently signed his letter of intent to play football at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri after graduating high school this spring. Held in the Malden school library with family, friends, and some students was a celebration of his high school career and a collegiate future at MSSU...

2022 Malden Graduate Jalias Anderson has played football since fourth grade but did not always think he would play college football. "I have been playing since the fourth grade, but I wouldn't say I was in love with the game until my Junior year at Malden," said Anderson. "I actually never planned on playing college football until my senior year. I actually wanted to join the Air Force and become a nurse."...

SIKESTON — Whether flying down the football field or burning up the track, Sikeston’s Da’Kwan Tilson has used his speed to shine for the Bulldogs. Now he will do the same for Fontbonne University. On Wednesday, Tilson signed a letter of intent to play sprint football and run track for Fontbonne, located in St. Louis...

As Jackson High School senior kicker Logan Bruns signed his National Letter of Intent on Monday to play football at Southeast Missouri State, his high school head coach, Brent Eckley, stood behind the young athlete literally. It was a fitting scene because according to Bruns, Eckley had been behind his kicker – in support – figuratively, for years.

Scott City senior Landon Pullam recently signed his letter of intent to further his education and play football at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. Pullam — a 6-foot 8-inch, 290-pound offensive lineman who has only started for two years — has thrived on hard work and determination to get him to where he is today, and no one has seen this more on a daily basis than Scott City coach Jim May...

DEXTER — Chad Jamerson has been selected to take over the Dexter football program. The Dexter R-XI Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday night to approve the hiring of Jamerson in closed session, according to a statement from Josh Dowdy, the school’s athletic director...

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...