Kelly clinches 7-on-7 title; Sikeston shows promising strides

Sikeston’s Cooper Wilson makes a touchdown catch during the Sikeston 7-on-7 Tournament on Thursday, July 11.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

SIKESTON — Two weeks removed from the Dexter 7-on-7, Sikeston showcased noticeable improvements on both sides of the ball at Thursday's home 7-on-7 tournament, leaving first-year coach Jim May encouraged by the team's progress, albeit acknowledging the challenges that still lie ahead.

“It wasn’t good but it was better,” May said. “We competed from start to finish, but we’re just a step off on a route here and a step off on a coverage there. But everything is new and we are learning. We’re getting there.”

A significant step forward for the Bulldogs was their resilience and refusal to back down. Unlike their debut at Dexter, where early setbacks led to frustration, Sikeston played with a consistent intensity throughout the day, embracing challenges and demonstrating a willingness to fight.

"At Dexter, some things didn’t go our way early and we hung our heads some," May said. "But today, we played from start to finish. It wasn’t all roses, but we played hard. If we can continue to do that we will be alright.”

Several Bulldog receivers, including seniors Kendarrious Love, Darryl Jordan and Marcus Sanders, juniors Keane Atkins and Will Lape, and sophomores Mason King, made impressive catches and runs. Notably, Atkins and Love stood out with some spectacular grabs.

“[Atkins and Love] both made some really good circus catches," May said. "We can’t depend on that, but it’s nice to see us compete for the ball in the air.”

The quarterback competition between senior Luke Gadberry and junior Pierce Baker also took center stage, with both signal-callers showing flashes of brilliance. Gadberry, who started several games last season including throwing for five touchdowns in a playoff win at Perryville, has the edge in experience.

Sikeston also saw improvements in its secondary, particularly at the safety position.

The rotation of seniors Kaden Gates and Cooper Wilson, along with Love, Gadberry and King proved effective.

“Those guys are learning and we are definitely getting better,” May said. “We asking them to do things they have never done before but we have faith in them.”

While Sikeston continued to progress, Kelly High School ultimately took home the championship, defeating Dexter in a close 14-13 contest.

"We played with a lot of effort," said Kelly coach Lance Powers. "It was a great day to watch our kids play. Our guys did a great job of maintaining their focus, shaking off mistakes, and always looking ahead to the next opportunity. Today was just a great team effort all around. The whole team played well.”

The Hawks look to carry the momentum into next week, as the team will host its own 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18.

Other teams, including New Madrid County Central, also showed promise. Despite having only started practicing three days prior due to logistical challenges, the Eagles displayed a strong work ethic and positive attitude.

“All things considered, it went pretty well and the effort was there," said NMCC Defensive Coordinator Jake Kimball. "There was a lot of good and a lot of bad, but our boys competed. They played with good discipline and had good attitudes.”

As the summer circuit continues, it's crucial to remember that these tournaments offer a glimpse into potential, not a crystal ball. While the scoreboard may hold less weight, the lessons learned and the strides made on the field are invaluable.

For Sikeston, Kelly, NMCC and all the participating teams, the journey towards the fall season is paved with progress, not perfection. The true test lies ahead under the Friday night lights, where the sweat and hustle of summer workouts will be put to the ultimate test.