Football

Doniphan High School is looking toward an experienced leader to grow its football program as the school introduced Jameson Allen as the Dons’ new head football coach Monday morning. Stepping into his 33rd year of coaching, Allen has high expectations to take the Doniphan Dons to the next level...

A Poplar Bluff Mules football player is taking a different route to continue his career on the gridiron. Offensive lineman and defensive tackle Kayson King signed his letter of commitment as a preferred walk-on last Friday with Southeast Missouri State University...

KENNETT – Daniel Boatman, senior running back for the Kennett Indians football team, committed to continue his academic and athletic career at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., Tuesday, February 28. “Just to see that I can have an opportunity to do what I love best, it's a dream to just go to the next level and take it step by step,” Boatman said. “I'm just going to keep grinding and hopefully get to a bigger level.”...

MALDEN – Chayse Tapp, a 6'3, 300 pound offensive lineman for the Malden Green Wave football team, signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Tennessee State University last Friday. Tapp received more than ten offers to play college football, but he made the decision to go with his first offer from TSU, which is located in Nashville, Tenn...

On Friday, Feb. 10 the Jackson Indians announced the hiring of Ryan Nesbitt as the school’s next football coach. Nesbitt has 14 years of experience as a football coach where he most recently served as the head football coach at Troy Buchanan High School in Troy, Missouri...

The Jackson Indians have their next head football coach. Ryan Nesbitt will lead the Indians program in the fall. The school made the announcement Friday morning, noting Nesbitt has 14 years of experience as a football coach. He most recently served as the head football coach at Troy Buchanan High School in Troy, Missouri...

After a successful high school football career at Scott City over the past four seasons, Ram senior defensive back Trent Lathum will challenge himself at the next level.

Gridiron football is the top sport in America, if nowhere else on the planet. It is fronted by the National Football League with games littered throughout the calendar almost daily from August through February, or so it seems. The college game generates regionalism and fans of 3-9 teams claim greatness because their better neighbor makes them look better...

PORTAGEVILLE – There are some commonalities that you will notice when you look at the coaching staffs at Portageville High School. All six of the coaches are natives of the Bootheel of this state. All six of them have enjoyed success in their careers, and with the exception of first-year softball coach Kelsey Snider, have won a lot of games for the Bulldogs.

Editor's note: This is the first story in a new series It was something that struck attention immediately: Missouri is okay with its prep athletic programs being a member of two different conferences. This is a unique aspect of the state’s sports landscape, as nearly all states do not have this as a characteristic or aren’t even allowed to do so...

PORTAGEVILLE – Early in his tenure as the Portageville High School football coach, Ian Penrod noticed that the school “sort of had some fragmented kids,” which if you’re coaching at Jackson High School, and have over 1,300 students, perhaps that is fine. But if you are at Portageville, every coach, in every sport, needs the best of the 173 potential student-athletes that walk the halls of the school.

PORTAGEVILLE – Whatever your involvement in athletics has been throughout your life, be it a coach, an athlete, or simply a fan, it has become evident that success – or lack thereof – is often a roller coaster. When teams are struggling, it can seem like there is no end in sight, but when things are rolling, and in the case of Portageville High School athletics, the Bulldogs are rolling with ferocity of late, it can appear to be on cruise control.

Jackson football coach Brent Eckley announced his retirement after spending 11 seasons at the helm of the Indians football program. Since taking over in 2012 Eckley’s teams have won 7 conference championships, 6 district championships and a state championship in 2020...

Brent Eckley, head football coach of the Jackson Indians since his first season in 2012, has announced his impending retirement at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Eckley compiled a record of 102-27 across 11 seasons as head coach at Jackson and led the Indians to two state championship games in 2019 and 2020. The Indians won their only state title in a 42-7 win over Platte County in 2020, and was ranked the #1 team in Missouri for all classes by Max Preps...

As the sports world put the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic behind it in 2022, several teams and individuals in this area rose to the top in their respective sports. From history-making achievements on the hardwood to first-in-school-history performances on the diamond, this year proved itself to be a memorable one for local sports fans...

It is no secret to anyone that follows Sikeston High School football, 2022 – at least statistically – was a step back from 2021.

Surrounded by friends, family, and coaches, Jackson senior Tony Terry put pen to paper on Monday and signed his letter of intent to play football at the University of Kansas. The backdrop was fitting. Behind Terry and those who care about him, were display cases full of the school’s athletic accomplishments — some of which he played a part in...

The 77th annual Gridiron Banquet may have had an indirect sign of being doubly lucky, but chances are that this year’s E.E. “Bus” Carr Trophy winner didn’t need much of it this past fall. Scott City junior Mark Panagos was presented as the newest recipient of the highlight award of the banquet, held at the Black River Coliseum and presented by the Poplar Bluff Letter Club...

Outside expectations were low for the Cape Central Tigers heading into this season following back-to-back losing seasons, but the internal belief proved vital as the Tigers roared to a 10-4 finish and a Class 5 state semifinal appearance.

The Fort Osage Indians reeled off 46 straight points as they knocked off the Cape Central Tigers 56-20 Saturday afternoon at Cape Central High School. The Tigers trailed 7-6 just over a minute into the second quarter when senior quarterback Morgan Diamond connected with freshman wide receiver Marquel Murray for a 25-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 13-7 lead...

Preparations for the Class 5 State Semifinal game have begun for the Cape Central Tigers as they get set to battle the Fort Osage Indians at 1 p.m. Saturday at Cape Central High School. Tigers coach Kent Gibbs said the season starts with wanting to win a district championship, but as you go along and have success you naturally want more...

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Portageville’s postseason run came to end with a loss at Duchesne on Saturday, Nov. 19. The Bulldogs (10-3) fought hard until the final buzzer against the battled-tested Pioneers (8-4), but ultimately fell 35-22 in the MSHSAA Class 1 Quarterfinal...

ST. LOUIS, Mo - A relentless defensive effort allowed the Cape Central Tigers to roar past the MICDS Rams 14-10 in the Class 5 State Quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School. The Tigers opened the game with a near seven minute drive that culminated in a 3-yard rushing touchdown by freshman running back Keyshawn Boyd putting the Tigers ahead 7-0...

The Portageville football team will travel to Duchesne on Saturday for a MSHSAA Class 1 Quarterfinal. Jamarion Smith and Mason Adams may be the names everyone knows from this year’s team, but the Bulldogs (10-2) have a strong core of players on both sides of the ball and a “next man up” mentality that’s helped propel them to new heights...

Statistical leaders from the Sikeston Standard-Democrat coverage area through district championships. PASSING RUSHING RECEIVING TACKLES SACKS INTERCEPTIONS t-20. Ethan Sutton, P’ville, 1...

Success breeds heightened expectations but that’s a problem the Charleston football program is happy to have. The Bluejays recently completed an outstanding season, finishing 8-3 overall and advancing to the MSHSAA Class 1, District 1 Championship. “I will only be happy when we can make this consistent and build something great,” said Charleston coach Justin Hutchings. ...

Back on Friday, Sept. 23 the Cape Central Tigers suffered their third loss in four games at the hands of the Jackson Indians. The Tigers sat at 2-3 and were averaging 21.8 points per game through five games. Following the loss to Jackson in September, Tigers coach Kent Gibbs wasn’t impressed with the way his offense had been playing...

This story will be updated CAPE GIRARDEAU — Clinging to a slim lead late in the fourth quarter and standing in his own end zone, Cape Central’s Morgan Diamond picked up a fumbled snap, turned and got off a punt with defenders closing in. The Tigers survived the close call and were able to close out another thrilling win over Poplar Bluff, this time 22-16 to claim the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 title...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Portageville’s Mason Adams did a little bit of everything Friday night in helping the Bulldogs defeat Charleston 58-16 in the MSHSAA Class 1, District 1 Championship. The junior threw for a touchdown, blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass while helping guide Portageville (10-2) to its first district championship since 2002...

NEW MADRID – A pair of early turnovers led to a hole the New Madrid County Central Eagles couldn’t dig out of Friday night, falling to Lift for Life Academy 66-26 in the Class 2, District 1 championship game. “We just didn’t play like us,” Eagles head coach Tyler Fullhart said. “Pretty plain and simple, we did a lot of uncharacteristic things and you can’t do that in a championship game.”...

When the eight seniors, who currently suit up for the Charleston High School football team were in the first grade, Justin Hutchings was already laying the foundation for the success that those student-athletes (and Hutchings) have enjoyed this season.

Anyone that has been around Charleston High School athletics has an understanding of how the Blue Jay student-athletes are going to be guided through their four years in the school.

Poplar Bluff travels to Cape Central on Friday for the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 championship game for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday. The winners advances to the state quarterfinal next week against the District 2 champion, either top-seeded Eureka (9-1) or second-seeded MICDS (10-1)...

Sixty-three days after Raymond Jackson deflected a pass in the end zone to preserve Cape Central’s lead on the final play, the Tigers will host Poplar Bluff in a rematch 100 years in the making. Even with a district championship and a spot in the state playoffs on the line, it will be difficult to see Central’s win over the Mules on Sept. 9 being more dramatic...

Poplar Bluff didn’t score an offensive touchdown the last time the Mules were at The Pit seven weeks earlier, but they ended their first three drives in the end zone Friday night. “I wasn’t expecting it to end up that way,” Mules coach David Sievers said of a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter over top-seeded Jackson...

JACKSON, Mo. — This time it was the Mules making the big stop on the point-after try. Poplar Bluff jumped out to a 21-point lead and got a stop on a 2-point attempt when Jackson scored midway through the third quarter with a chance to pull even. The Mules then held on over the final 17 1/2 minutes to beat Jackson 21-20 in the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 semifinal Friday night at The Pit...

OAKVILLE, Mo. — The Cape Central Tigers used an impressive defensive effort en route to a 25-12 win in the Class 5 District 1 semifinals over the Oakville Tigers on Friday night at Oakville High School. Cape Central coach Kent Gibbs was pleased with the effort of his defense...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — New Madrid County Central detonated John Burroughs' hopes of a championship win with a 48-0 blasting in a semifinal of the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 at NMCC High School on Friday, Nov. 4. The only explosions were from the Eagles’ offense, who finished with a 423 to 82 advantage in total yardage over the Bombers (5-6)...

SCOTT CITY — It's often said to be difficult to beat a football team twice in the same season. Just ask the Scott City Rams if that's true. Junior quarterback Mark Panagos rushed for 322 yards and four touchdowns, while also returning a kickoff 80 yards for a score on Friday night at Scott City High School...

STE. GENEVIEVE — The number one seeded Valle Catholic Warriors overpowered the fourth seeded Kennett Indians 58-6 in the Class 3 District 1 semifinals Friday night. The Indians struck first Friday night with a 30+ yard run into the end zone by senior running back Daniel Boatman. ...

PERRYVILLE – After losing 14 of its 16 football games over the past two seasons, the Charleston High School football squad has embarked on a journey of redemption in 2022.

Football stat leaders from the Southeast Missourian coverage area.

After just two wins in the past two seasons, the Charleston football team has rebounded with a breakthrough year. But the Bluejays (7-2) still have goals they hope to complete, including an upset at St. Vincent (7-2) in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 1 Tournament on Friday night...

It’s incredible what the New Madrid County Central football team has been able to accomplish this season when considering the team brought back just a couple of starters from last season’s team. “It is never easy when you graduate 17 seniors,” said NMCC coach Tyler Fullhart. ...

The Portageville football team is a group of proven winners, having experienced success in multiple sports over the past few seasons. But the Bulldogs (8-2) will have their hands full this week when they travel to Scott City (9-1) to meet the Rams in the semifinals of the MSHSAA Class 1 District 1 Tournament...

Statistical leaders from the Sikeston Standard-Democrat coverage area PASSING RUSHING RECEIVING TACKLES SACKS INTERCEPTIONS t-19. Ethan Sutton, P’ville, 1...

After handily defeating Potosi last Friday, the Kennett Indians will travel to Ste. Genevieve this Friday to once again take on Valle Catholic, this time in the Class 3 District 1 semifinals. Despite falling to the Warriors in the team’s final regular season game 16-46, Kennett head coach Andrew Webster said that the Indians are going to play as warriors this week as well...

Poplar Bluff football coach David Sievers had whistled an end to practice Wednesday afternoon but the scout-team offense wanted one more shot against the first-team defense. Following an 0-4 start to their season, the Mules are now having too much fun for it to end now...

BENTON, Mo. — The Sikeston Jaycee Bulldogs third and fourth-grade football team captured the Heartland Youth Football League-Big School Division Championship on Saturday, Oct. 29. The team finished the year with a 6-1 overall record and wins over Jackson, Dexter, Kelly and Perryville, and avenged its only loss of the season with an 18-12 double-overtime win over Poplar Bluff in the title game...

STE. GENEVIEVE – The downside of having just six seniors on a high school football team was often apparent for Dexter this past season.