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Mules roll past Neelyville in debut (3/16/24)The spring baseball season is here, and the weather held off long enough for a bright and sunny opening day. The Neelyville Tigers clashed against the Poplar Bluff Mules on Friday at Poplar Bluff High School in an area rematch from last year’s season opener, where the Mules walked away victorious. Though the Tigers were looking forward to welcoming the Mules to their turf for their home opener, weather conditions handed them a little adversity to open the season...
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Pattillo back in dugout for second season at Mules’ helm (3/14/24)One season isn’t enough time to showcase years of expertise on the baseball field, so Poplar Bluff Mules head coach John David Pattillo is eager to return to the diamond. With deep roots within the Mules baseball program, Pattillo will embark on his second season as the head coach. As the first year was more of a learning experience, Pattillo will depend on the growth of his players as the Mules attempt to erase a five-year gap of competing for a district championship...
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Seniors ready to lead Mules for upcoming season (3/8/24)The spring baseball and softball season will officially kick off next week, and members of the Poplar Bluff Mules baseball team are ready to get the season in motion. The Mules will have their season opener when they hit the road next Friday to challenge the Neelyville Tigers. With the absence of a few key seniors from last season and a second-year head coach, the returning players are eager to jumpstart the season as they look to flourish under new leadership...
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Kennett AD Jim Vaughan retires after 18-year career (3/7/24)KENNETT, Mo. - After nearly two decades of solid leadership, Kennett High School Athletic Director Jim Vaughan bids the district farewell at the end of the spring semester. Vaughan, 53, who resides now at Poplar Bluff, retires after 18 years of service as both coach and director and spent time with the Delta Dunklin Democrat looking back on his career...
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Big second half lifts Sikeston over Bluff in district semifinal, 82-61 (3/2/24)BONNE TERRE, Mo. – All season long it seemed that Sikeston and Cape Central were on a collision course to meet in the Class 5, District 1 championship game. Saturday’s semifinal games may have been a bit more competitive than most thought it would be, but the matchup became official after top-seeded Sikeston used a big second half to pull away from fourth-seeded Poplar Bluff 82-61; and then second-seeded Cape Central held off a furious rally from third-seeded Farmington to win 52-47.. ...
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Bratcher signs with Fontbonne University (3/1/24)A young boy’s vision of playing collegiate baseball became a reality on Friday at Poplar Bluff High School. Senior pitcher Dylan Bratcher will get to live out his childhood dream of playing high-level baseball as he signed his National Letter of Intent to play for the Fontbonne University Griffins baseball team...
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C5D1: Mules march on, will face Sikeston in semis (3/1/24)BONNE TERRE — All the long practices, along with a tough schedule, have finally come down to this moment where the Poplar Bluff Mules must be ready to compete with some of the best teams in their district. The No. 4 seeded Mules got the first taste of the postseason on Thursday when they faced off against the No. 5 seed Hillsboro Hawks at North County High School in the opening round of the Class 5 District 1 Tournament...
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Cor Jesu ends Lady Mules’ season (2/29/24)ST. LOUIS — With the odds stacked against them, the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules confidently stepped onto the court to compete in their first game of the postseason. The No. 8 seeded Lady Mules had a challenging task ahead in the opening round of the Class 6 District 1 Tournament. Poplar Bluff took on the No. 1 seed in the district, Cor Jesu Academy Chargers, on Wednesday at Oakville High School...
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Duncan to play soccer for MAC (2/28/24)Poplar Bluff Lady Mules soccer player Cori Duncan will get the opportunity of her dreams to showcase her skills at the next level as she signs up to continue her soccer career. Accompanied by her teammates and family, Duncan signed her National Letter of Intent to play soccer at Mineral Area College to become the newest member of the Lady Cardinals soccer squad...
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District Ready: Lady Mules to face off with Cor Jesu (2/28/24)A first-year head coach will get her shot at the postseason. Poplar Bluff head coach Soley Dugas will face her toughest test of the year as she leads the Lady Mules basketball team into the playoffs. The Lady Mules have come a long way from where they started at the beginning of the season and will now get the opportunity to showcase their growth...
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District Ready: Mules open with Hillsboro Thursday (2/28/24)The Poplar Bluff Mules basketball team plans to play as a unit heading into the postseason. The No. 4 seeded Mules are gearing up to compete in the Class 5 District 1 Tournament on Thursday at North County High School. After a week of no competition, the Mules have made it a priority to stay inside the gym as they prepare for the postseason...
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Poplar Bluff's Freeman brings home third at state (2/27/24)COLUMBIA — The MSHSAA State Wrestling Tournament has ended, and one Poplar Bluff wrestler has moved a step closer to capturing a gold medal. After finishing fifth in last year’s state tournament, junior Zoe Freeman came into the season with the mindset of reaching the finals. Though the ultimate goal of making the finals didn’t happen this year, Freeman battled against some of the top wrestlers in the state to capture a third-place medal in the girls 190lb Class 2 state tournament...
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PERFECTION ACHIEVED: Donettes beat Lady Mules, complete undefeated regular season (2/24/24)The Doniphan Donettes increased their perfect record to 24-0 with a 69-34 road victory over the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules on Friday night at the Poplar Bluff High School gym, completing an undefeated regular season. The Lady Mules dropped to 7-17 for the year...
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Freeman advances to state semis (2/24/24)COLUMBIA — Poplar Bluff Lady Mules wrestler Zoe Freeman took another step forward on her quest to reach the state wrestling finals. After a long season of training and nonstop battles, the Mules got the opportunity to showcase their talents on the mat with some of the best wrestlers in the state. ...
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Mules rally for win over PHC to wrap up regular season (2/23/24)The Poplar Bluff Mules boys basketball team overcame an early 10-point deficit to take the lead in the fourth quarter and beat the Park Hills Central Rebels 79-74 Thursday night at the Poplar Bluff High School gym. With the win, the Mules end the regular season 15-11...
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Headed to STATE: Mules, Dexter sending six wrestlers to battle for championships (2/22/24)The MSHAA state wrestling tournament is about to get underway, and six wrestlers are making their way to Mizzou Arena on Friday and Saturday with the hopes of winning the gold. From start to finish, these three wrestlers have made a pivotal impact on the Poplar Bluff High School Mules wrestling team. The Mules are sending seniors Logan Hite and Jack Ernest, and junior Zoe Freeman will represent the Lady Mules...
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Mannon named Mules football coach (2/20/24)The search is finally over, as the Poplar Bluff Mules have named Jeff Mannon as their new head football coach. Mannon has been on the staff for the last 15 years as the assistant — and also played on the Mules’ last district championship squad in 2000 — and now he gets the opportunity to run the show...
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Mules can't dig out of Jackson Hole (2/20/24)A slow start by the Poplar Bluff High School boys basketball team proved to ultimately doom the Mules’ chances of victory Monday against the Jackson Indians. The Indians scored the game’s first eight points and led by 23 points midway through the second quarter on the way to a 67-54 win in SEMO Conference action at the Poplar Bluff High School gym. Monday’s game was a makeup of a Jan. 16 contest that was postponed because of winter weather...
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Local district tournament wrestling roundup (2/18/24)Four sites, four district tournaments, and a whole lot of wrestlers literally fighting for their place at state on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16-17. Here's the lowdown on how all eight area programs fared in their quest to Columbia, Mo. Next year, it will be nine, with the addition of Kelly...
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Poplar Bluff's Jack Ernest switches gears for district tournament (2/16/24)Poplar Bluff High School senior Jack Ernest is ready to give it all he’s got heading into this year’s district tournament. The Poplar Bluff Mules boys wrestling team will hit the road to compete in the Class 4 District 1 Tournament on Friday and Saturday at Lafayette High School. With one more opportunity to compete at state, Ernest is looking to place high in districts to set his path to the big dance for the first time...
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Rivalry Renewed: Mules beat Charleston in postseason tuneup (2/16/24)The Poplar Bluff Mules basketball squad continues to battle through their tough stretch as they get closer to the district tournament. The Mules went head-to-head with the Charleston Blue Jays on Thursday at Poplar Bluff High Gymnasium in a SEMO conference matchup. With three regular-season games remaining, the Mules looked to keep their winning momentum going into senior night...
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Mules split at Dexter as boys win, girls lose (2/14/24)DEXTER — A tough night on the boards cost the Lady Mules dearly. The Poplar Bluff High School Mules basketball teams took a trip over to Dexter to face off against the Bearcats and Lady Bearcats in a doubleheader for some good area competition on Tuesday...
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Poplar Bluff's Freeman battles way to district championship (2/13/24)Poplar Bluff High School Lady Mules wrestler Zoe Freeman completes the first step to getting back into the state wrestling tournament. Freeman competed in the MSHSAA Girls Class 2 District 1 tournament as the No. 1 seed, where she claimed her second district championship as a Lady Mule in the 190-pound weight class...
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Poplar Bluff boys blow by Notre Dame, grab huge road conference victory (2/10/24)Coming into a feisty environment on the road, Poplar Bluff exorcised its SEMO Conference demons to get back on the right track in a 75-50 win at Notre Dame on Friday night. Matching up to the height and size of Notre Dame, Poplar Bluff’s speed and skill showed as it pieced up a strong Bulldog defense for 75 – 15 more than the Mules’ average points per game...
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Freeman pursues district wrestling title (2/10/24)A Poplar Bluff High School wrestling standout has received the top seed heading into the district tournament. Junior Zoe Freeman is wrestling in the Class 2 District 1 tournament on Friday and Saturday in St. Louis as the No. 1 seed for the opportunity to punch her ticket to state, which would her third appearance...
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Lady Mules back on winning track with win over Malden (2/9/24)The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules continue to showcase their confidence on the basketball court. With seven games remaining on the regular season schedule, the Lady Mules aimed to add more wins to their record entering Thursday’s game. The Lady Mules hosted the Malden Green Wave and they needed a near-perfect game to sneak past with a win...
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Ringwald, Dickson pace Cape Central to SEMO title (2/8/24)The Cape Central High School girl’s swim team is in its second year without an ideal training regiment, but that wasn’t evident on Tuesday, as the Tigers rolled through the SEMO Conference Swimming and Diving Meet at the Southeast Missouri State Student Recreation Center en route to a team title. “We’re pretty loaded with speed and talent,” Cape Central swim coach Dayna Powell said following the win.
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Lady Mules Swim takes 2nd at SEMO Conference (2/8/24)The Poplar Bluff High School Lady Mules swim team kicked it into high gear at this year’s SEMO Conference Swim The Lady Mules took on some stiff competition inside the pool on Wednesday as they battled against Cape Central, Farmingiotn, Notre Dame, Saxony Lutheran and Jackson for a chance to bring home some hardware...
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Poplar Bluff's Wontor signs with McKendree University (2/8/24)Playing at the next level in sports takes a different commitment, and Poplar Bluff High School football senior Romeoh Wontor is ready for the challenge. After a solid season with the Mules, Wontor is ready for the next chapter in his football career. With family and teammates in attendance, Wontor signed his National Letter of Intent to play football for the McKendree University Bearcats...
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Mules Overwhelmed by Top-Ranked Sikeston (2/3/24)SIKESTON — A double-double from a Sikeston standout holds off the Mules as they continue their rough patch. Playing three straight games against elite teams can be challenging, but the Poplar Bluff High School Mules have stepped up each time. The Mules hit the road on Friday for their third straight SEMO Conference game as they faced the No.1 team in Class 5, the Sikeston Bulldogs. ...
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Jackson dominates to earn big victory over Lady Mules (2/2/24)The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules attempted to keep their recent hot streak rolling, but they had a tough task ahead as they hosted the Jackson Lady Indians on Thursday. After snagging their third consecutive win in their last contest, the Lady Mules struggled to get much going offensively and fell to Jackson 69-35 as their winning streak came to an end...
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Jackson, Poplar Bluff girls to meet in rivalry clash of conference hopefuls (1/31/24)Two teams on very different trends are set to meet on Thursday night in a battle to gain footing in the SEMO Conference standings as Jackson travels to Poplar Bluff for a major girls basketball tilt. The visitors, Jackson, are currently on a slide in which they’ve lost three of four games...
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No. 1 New Madrid County Central overpowers Mules (1/31/24)The Poplar Bluff High School Mules have played some tough teams recently, and their schedule has only gotten more challenging as they took on the No.1 team in Class 3. The Mules hosted the New Madrid County Central Eagles on Tuesday in an SEMO conference matchup. The Mules hung around for as long as they could, but going up against an offensive powerhouse such as New Madrid County, they would need a near-perfect game...
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Unhappy Homecoming: Cape Central avenges loss, plays spoiler against Mules (1/27/24)In an anticipated rematch, the Poplar Bluff High School Mules didn’t have enough to surpass its opponent. It was homecoming night for the Mules, but they would have their hands full on Friday against an eager Cape Central squad seeking revenge. The Mules went head-to-head with the Tigers in a Class 5 District 1 matchup, and the fans could expect an intense battle as two elite teams in the conference battled on the court...
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Blazing a trail: Freeman making history on the mat for Mules (1/26/24)It’s halfway through the wrestling season, and Poplar Bluff High School junior Zoe Freeman continues to blaze a trail for the Lady Mules wrestling team. Coming into the season, Freeman said her main goal was to be better and take her wrestling career to heights she’d never seen before. So far, she has found her stride on the mat and set a new standard for girls wrestling...
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Lady Mules get win over Holcomb in first game in two weeks (1/26/24)The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules basketball team put its grit to the test by capturing back-to-back wins for the first time this season. After a few game cancellations, the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules looked to pick up where they left off from their previous win. The Lady Mules faced off against the Holcomb Lady Hornets on Thursday, and after some consistent shooting from around the perimeter, they protected home court with a 57-48 victory...
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Poplar Bluff to host Cape Central in Friday night district, conference showdown (1/25/24)For the Cape Central Tigers, the tale of the tape this season has been how they’ve responded to unfortunate circumstances and elevated themselves to new heights. Beginning the year with a slew of injuries and a healthy heap of losses in the first few weeks of the season, the Tigers have adjusted time after time and continue to climb higher...
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Poplar Bluff routs Kennett on the road (1/24/24)KENNETT – The Poplar Bluff Mules extended their winning record with an 80-50 win on a road trip to Kennett High School Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Poplar Bluff out of the gate went on a 7-1 run by the time the first timeout was called. Kennett's Chris Jefferson ended the rampage with a quick layup but Poplar Bluff junior guard Brendan Durden answered with a three-pointer to keep the momentum rolling. Preston Moore's eight points in the first pushed the Mules' momentum early on...
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PB wrestling makes history at SEMO Conference (1/23/24)The Poplar Bluff High School Mules wrestling team made history at the 2024 SEMO Conference Wrestling Tournament. The Mules went up against 14 other teams over the weekend in Sikeston, taking on some tough competition in the surrounding areas. Despite not placing high as a team, three of the Mules’ top wrestlers left their mark on the mat...
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Poplar Bluff's Logan Hite wins third SEMO Conference wrestling championship (1/21/24)By the slimmest of margins, Poplar Bluff senior Logan Hite defeated Jackson senior Hayden Wessell by a 3-2 decision to win his third SEMO Conference championship on Saturday, Jan. 20, in Sikeston, Missouri. Hite’s three-peat is the first in school history, which is an amazing feat for a program with such a rich wrestling history...
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Tough competition toughens up Mules (1/18/24)Poplar Bluff Mules boys basketball coach William Durden said that playing top competition is the best way to prepare a team for a tough schedule. The Mules spent a lot of time on the road during the first half of the season, competing in multiple tournaments around the area and the region. While some were successful, the others were a good learning experience...
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Mules take third at Rec Center Relays (1/12/24)The Poplar Bluff Mules girls swimming and diving team continues to find its flow in the pool this season. After falling to West Plains on senior day, the Lady Mules bounced back by placing third Thursday in the 2024 Girls Rec Center Relays swim meet at the SEMO Aquatic Center...
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Lady Mules down Naylor (1/12/24)Maintaining good spirits while trying to push through a tough season can be hard for any team, so capturing a win at home was what the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules needed to kick off the second half of the season. The Lady Mules hosted the Naylor Lady Eagles on Thursday, and with both teams struggling, securing a win would provide both teams some much-needed positivity to their season...
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Senior Night: Mules sweep past Kennett, ND (1/10/24)Senior night is a wonderful opportunity to thank seniors for their efforts. Every year, student-athletes eagerly anticipate this tradition, and on Tuesday, members of the Poplar Bluff High School wrestling team received their flowers for their hard work and dedication to the team...
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Senior Day: Lady Mules falls to West Plains (1/10/24)It was a joyous occasion for the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules on Tuesday at the Black River Coliseum as the swimming and diving team honored their seniors before their swim meet. Before going head-to-head against West Plains, the Lady Mules took some time to put the spotlight on their senior swimmers. Though the Lady Mules fell to West Plains with a combined team score of 116-54, there were still smiles with family and friends in attendance...
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Mules take second at Kaminsky Classic (1/6/24)JOPLIN, Mo. — Slow and steady was the game plan for the Poplar Bluff Mules boys basketball team as it punched its ticket Friday night to the 2024 Kaminsky Classic championship game. It was a different story in Saturday's championship game, as Francis Howell pulled away in the second half for a 68-42 win over the Mules.
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Mules pull away from Neosho in Kaminsky Classic opener (1/5/24)JOPLIN, Mo. — The Poplar Bluff Mules boys basketball team found itself in a close game Thursday against Neosho in the first round of the Kaminsky Classic — for a while. Poplar Bluff led the Wildcats by just three points with five minutes left in the first half, but pushed the lead to double digits by halftime and then used a big third period to take a 69-45 win...
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End of an era: Sievers retiring as Mules football coach (1/3/24)Stepping down from any profession is a tough decision for anyone, but after more than three decades with the Poplar Bluff Mules football program — including the last six as head coach — David Sievers is ready to move on...
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Mules split with Sikeston, A-J to open new year (1/3/24)
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2023 Review: Poplar Bluff swimmer already attacking his next stage in life (1/1/24)For the senior class of 2024, moving on to the next chapter of each of those students’ lives is still a few months away, though with the passing of New Year’s Day, that next step is growing ever so closer.