Semoball

WEEK 6 FOOTBALL: Indians eye fifth-straight SEMO North title vs. Sikeston

Jackson's Tony Williams waves the battle flag as the Indians prepare to take the field for Friday night's game at Cape Central High School.
J.C. Reeves ~ jcreeves@semoball.com

Check back for updates as we countdown to kickoff.

With no Thursday night games scheduled, a sense of normalcy returns for Week 6 of the high school football season.

Jackson looks to wrap up its fifth straight SEMO North championship when the Indians travel to Sikeston in what could be coach Brent Eckley's 100th win with the program.

In addition, a full slate of conference games are on the schedule, including two big matchups with New Madrid County Central playing at Kennett in a pivotal SEMO Central matchup and Kelly traveling to Scott City for a key SEMO South battle.


SEMOBALL POWER RANKINGS

Here are the area football teams as ranked by combining a team's MSHSAA point total, bonus points for wins against other area teams, road wins and state rankings with current record and previous rankings:

TEAMW-LPTS.PV
1. Kennett5-065.42
2. St. Vincent4-163.81
3. Scott City4-156.84
4. Jackson3-255.67
5. Charleston4-154.53
6. NMCC4-154.18
7. Portageville4-153.79
8. Kelly4-152.76
9. Caruthersville2-348.35
10. Cape Central2-339.410

SCHEDULE

Friday’s Games

Cape Central at Farmington, 7 p.m.

Charleston at Hayti, Cancelled

Dexter at Caruthersville, 7 p.m.

Fox at Poplar Bluff, 7 p.m.

Jackson at Sikeston, 7 p.m.

Kelly at Scott City, 7 p.m.

Malden at East Prairie, 7 p.m.

New Madrid at Kennett, 7 p.m.

Portageville at Chaffee, 7 p.m.

Saturday’s Games

Bayless at St. Vincent, 11 a.m.

Father Tolton at Doniphan, 2 p.m.


FRIDAY'S GAMES

JACKSON AT SIKESTON

The Indians (3-2) are coming off a 42-14 blowout win over rival Cape Central — coach Brent Eckley's 200th career win — and hope to lock down their fifth straight SEMO North championship on Friday at Sikeston.

Jackson was led on the ground against the Tigers by senior running back Tony Williams, who had 92 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Williams went down with an injury and was forced to miss the remainder of the game. It's unknown whether he will be back in action this season.

The Bulldogs (1-4) are coming off a 35-2 home loss to Poplar Bluff, but have had an extra day to recuperate with last week's game being played on Thursday.

KENNETT AT NMCC

This consensus ‘Game of the Week’ will likely decide the SEMO-Central Conference.

Is it time to start asking the question we’re all thinking? Is Jadis Jones a better prospect in football than basketball? The answer is yes.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 200-pound wide receiver has been an unstoppable force on the gridiron this fall, scoring nearly every time he touches the ball. Although it can’t be confirmed at this time, the junior likely leads the state in the receiving yards (523 yards) and touchdowns (10).

Will Kennett find a way to slow the standout down?

NMCC also has receiver BJ Williamson, who has been equally as explosive this season.

Williamson numbers are second only to Jones in the area. He's made 16 catches for 406 yards and six touchdowns, while also rushing eight times for 109 yards and two touchdowns and throwing for a score; All in four games.

Chris Grissom has been near perfect at quarterback, throwing for 16 touchdowns and 1,055 yards with only one interception, and Kayden Minner has averaged 11.3 yards per attempt while running for 723 yards and eight touchdowns.

Reik Smith (24), Samir Smith (20) and Jason Jones (20) are the Eagles’ leading tacklers on defense.

The teams have split the past two meetings. NMCC won 34-29 last season, breaking a six-game losing streak to the Indians.

The Indians won six straight in the series before that and are 5-0 for the fourth straight season.

MALDEN AT EAST PRAIRIE

The great news for the Eagles (0-5) and the Green Wave (0-5) is someone is going to get their first win of the season.

East Prairie would love nothing more than to give head coach David Stalker his first win on homecoming against a Malden team that was forced to forfeit three weeks ago due to injuries and illness.

Tavion Ware (268 rushing yards and two touchdowns), Conner Marcum (159 total yards and three touchdowns) and a few other players have had some shining moments, but the youthful Eagles have taken some lumps this season.

Malden has owned this series, going 13-1 with a 41-12 average margin of victory since 2010. East Prairie’s lone win was a 35-30 thriller in 2019.

One thing is for sure, both teams will be beaming with the excitement of nabbing that first win.

CAPE CENTRAL AT FARMINGTON

Following a big loss to rival Jackson, Cape Central (2-3) looks to get back on track on the road against Farmington.

With a victory Friday night, the Tigers will surpass their win total from 2021 with three and will hold a winning conference record.

Sophomore Zai'Aire Thomas leads Central's offense with 656 total yards and six touchdowns, while senior quarterback Morgan Diamond is putting together a solid season with 437 yards, five touchdowns and one interception through the air.

KELLY AT SCOTT CITY

The Hawks make the short trip to Scott City on Friday night for the Rams' annual Green Out Game in honor of Dominic Hooper.

Scott City (4-1) is coming off a 62-20 win over winless Malden and hopes to keep its offense going on Friday night. Junior running back Tyson Underwood score four touchdowns for the Rams while dual-threat quarterback Mark Panagos added 203 yards through the air and 173 and three scores on the ground.

Kelly (4-1) was dominant in its win over Principia last week, beating the Panthers 41-0.

Junior running back Reece Eftink once again put up big numbers on the ground, running for 191 yards and three touchdowns to put his season total at 851 and 12, respectively.

PORTAGEVILLE AT CHAFFEE

The Bulldogs (4-1) bounced back from their first loss with a 34-28 win over Charleston.

Jamarion Smith had another huge game on the ground for Portageville, running for 293 yards and all five of the Bulldogs' touchdowns while carrying the ball a whopping 47 times.

The Red Devils (1-4) were outmatched against Hayti last week, as the Indians' speed and athleticism proved too much for Chaffee to handle in a 30-6 loss. Junior quarterback Carson Spies had Chaffee's lone touchdown on the ground while rushing for 60 yards on 16 carries.

PERRYVILLE AT JEFFERSON

The Pirates (2-3) are coming off back-to-back wins and hope to keep the streak alive against Jefferson.

Perryville threw the ball well in its 50-21 win over Grandview last week, with junior quarterback Rilaynd Graham passing for 201 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

The Pirates were led on the ground by seniors Alex Sanders (8 carries, 89 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Ben Hotop (13 carries, 85 yards, 1 touchdown).

SATURDAY'S GAMES

BAYLESS AT ST. VINCENT

Following a 60-point loss to Class 3 No. 3 Valle Catholic, St. Vincent (4-1) looks toward its homecoming matchup with 1-4 Bayless on Saturday.

Senior quarterback Christian Schaaf threw the Indians' lone touchdown to Trevor Moonier, and was picked off twice in a losing effort.


AREA LEADERS

PASSING

PLAYERTEAMCOMATTYDSTDINT
Chris GrissomNMCC47651,055161
Christian SchaafSt. Vincent478988995
Mark PanagosScott City365060542
Mason AdamsPortageville336457264
Zach CalderJackson569752084
Skyler StillKelly376247051
Morgan DiamondCape Central366343751
Mason WestPoplar Bluff418139933
Devin KellerScott City164835212
Almareion WilliamsCharleston112534342
Rilaynd GrahamPerryville184230945
Kayden CraigSikeston143721910
Tucker Parker East Prairie164019114
Aiden McGraveyPerryville164316701
Ko'Terrion OwensCharleston81815211
Adrian FoxJackson111912120

RUSHING

PLAYERTEAMATTYDSAVGTD
Jamarion SmithPortageville1238717.0815
Reece EftinkKelly8185110.5112
Kayden MinnerNMCC6472311.308
Carson SpiesChaffee945926.307
Mark PanagosScott City695588.0911
Tyson UnderwoodScott City644817.529
Zai'Aire ThomasCape Central683945.793
Tony WilliamsJackson673695.519
Joseph HeckemeyerSikeston573205.618
Keodrick SherrodSikeston682924.291
Kymarion ChappellCharleston322878.972
Alex SandersPerryville2527511.004
Mason AdamsPortageville462715.894
Tavion WareEast Prairie602684.472
Ben HotopPerryville452575.713
Rommie TurnerCharleston312337.522
Adrian FoxJackson352256.431
Makel McFarlandPoplar Bluff382125.582
Mason LightSt. Vincent432094.862
Christian SchaafSt. Vincent372025.465
Carter CossouChaffee611973.230
Levi McKinnieChaffee441733.931
Morgan DiamondCape Central241466.081

RECEIVING

PLAYERTEAMATTYDSAVGTD
Jadis JonesNMCC1952327.5310
BJ WilliamsonNMCC1640625.386
Chase VenableScott City1330523.461
Trevor MoonierSt. Vincent1630018.754
Isaiah DavisJackson2428711.965
Beau-Hunter WarrenPortageville926429.333
Zai'Aire ThomasCape Central1026226.203
Gavin VenableScott City1125122.821
Roy WileyCharleston1724914.651
Kaden KasselSt. Vincent1124322.094
Mark PanagosScott City1121619.641
Kai CroweJackson1419714.074
AJ RuffNMCC1517211.471
DJ WilliamsCharleston617228.672
Ethan GrahamKelly1214712.251
Jacob SchrempSt. Vincent414536.251
Jacob ChapmanKelly914416.002
Dalyn LittlepageScott City1113812.552
Romeoh WontorPoplar Bluff1013713.702
Chris MatlockPoplar Bluff812515.632
Ethan BlythePerryville1011511.500
Cameron YoungPerryville911312.561
Clayton GremaudSt. Vincent510921.800
Tyler RhynePerryville510921.802
Jamarion SmithPortageville710314.711

DEFENSE

PLAYERTEAMPT*TAKSACKFUMINT
Logan HitePoplar Bluff8072301
Fisher StevensJackson6635640
Trent LathumScott City6150130
Kymarion ChappellCharleston6058100
Griffin HormanJackson6052120
Drake RobinsonSt. Vincent6053111
Mason AdamsPortageville5745023
Titus JacksonJackson5642140
Alex SandersPerryville5242010
Colin BlaylockScott City5242500
Tony Terry Jr.Jackson5035330
Carson SpiesChaffee4747000
Gavin PriceKelly4543100
Luke HolderScott City4435013
Kaden MorrisonPerryville4339200
Tyson UnderwoodScott City4329012
Kaden KasselSt. Vincent4318113
Logan DavisPoplar Bluff4239010
TJ MackinsCape Central3929401
Jalen MorrisCharleston3936010
Sam HayesPortageville3939000
Chevy McKinleyScott City3934110
Carter CossouChaffee3832020
Cruz ReitzelSt. Vincent3832300
Clayton McClardCape Central3734010
Brian SimmonsCharleston3734010
Connor StevensPoplar Bluff36244.510
Davarious NunleyCape Central3528210
Devon SeabaughPerryville3419021
Ben ColclasurePoplar Bluff3434000
Chris MatlockPoplar Bluff3430002
Rommie TurnerCharleston3326012
Peyton KlundJackson3333000
Cole FoltzJackson3324310
Hayden WesselllJackson3220110
Clayton GermaudSt. Vincent3229010
Mark PanagosScott City3120113
Reid LandersJackson3023210
Reece EftinkKelly3028100
Caden DunnKelly3020220
Darius GrahamPoplar Bluff3028001
Trez ClarkSikeston3019130

*Defensive points takes tackles, adding points for sacks (x2), turnovers (x3), plus 7 points for a defensive score.


STANDINGS

SEMO NORTH

TEAMWLPFPAWLPFPA
JACKSON321721103012428
CAPE CENTRAL23109149112849
FARMINGTON32170116115562
POPLAR BLUFF145896124951
SIKESTON1483216021783

SEMO CENTRAL

TEAMWLPFPAWLPFPA
NEW MADRID41234884020727
KENNETT50239693015140
DEXTER23139155218667
CARUTHERSVILLE231482061278134
EAST PRAIRIE05552690328163
DONIPHAN05541930446165

SEMO SOUTH

TEAMWLPFPAWLPFPA
SCOTT CITY412301153016558
CHARLESTON4111861318454
KELLY4114542217634
PORTAGEVILLE412301082112088
HAYTI14641451242109
CHAFFEE1454142135499
MALDEN05411750427126
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