SEMO football represented at Semoball Awards

Former Portageville running back Jamarion Smith poses accepts his Football Offense Player of the Year Award at the 2024 Semoball Awards, presented by Mercy Health, at the La Croix Church on Friday, July 12.

Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

The Southeast Missouri State football team was well represented in the 2024 Semoball Awards, presented by Mercy, on Friday, July 12, at the La Croix Church in Cape Girardeau.

That's because five incoming freshmen were featured as finalists in three separate categories, including one winner who put together a senior season for the ages.

Jamarion Smith won the Offensive Football Player of the Year after a record senior year at Portageville. The running back rushed for 2,463 rushing yards, securing his name in the history of Missouri high school football as the 23rd-highest total recorded. Even more impressive is his 47 rushing touchdowns, which ranked as the sixth-highest in the state's history. It may take him some time but he may not be too far from being the next great SEMO running back.

Former Scott City running back Tyson Underwood poses for a red carpet photo at the 2024 Semoball Awards, presented by Mercy Health, at the La Croix Church on Friday, July 12. Underwood will walk onto the Southeast Missouri State football team to play defensive back this fall.

Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

Tyson Underwood helped lead Scott City to a district title game and a third straight nine-win season. He, along with fellow finalist, Truman State freshman Mark Panagos, was an offensive force. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and found the end zone over 20 times but he's actually going to SEMO primarily to play defense as a safety.

Adrian Fox finally got to spend a season as the primary quarterback for his team and he turned it into an opportunity at SEMO. A finalist for the Carr Trophy, Fox led the Jackson Indians deep into the playoffs until a late injury ended his season prematurely. Still, he threw for 1,977 yards for 19 touchdowns on a team that made it to the Class 6 quarterfinals.

There were also a pair of incoming SEMO linebackers who were finalists in the boys' wrestling category.

Mercy is the presenting sponsor of the Semoball Awards, the area’s premier awards show recognizing student-athletes and coaches in Southeast Missouri.

Davarious Nunley was the rock of the Cape Central defensive unit during the Tigers’ two straight state semifinal appearances. But on the wrestling mat, he was much more. Nunley set the example of a young and upcoming Tigers wrestling program, going 27-12 throughout the season and once again qualifying for the Class 3 state meet.

Logan Hite of Poplar Bluff was a finalist in both football-defense and wrestling. Hite finished at the top of the SEMO Conference with 113 tackles, including 59 solo stops. He was also presented with the Derland Moore Award as the top defender in the conference. Hite finished with 324 career tackles, a modern-day Mules record. His injuries from football carried over to wrestling but it didn't deter him, as he led the area with 42 wins and only three losses. He finished his wrestling career as the first-ever male in Poplar Bluff’s 51-year wrestling history to win three SEMO Conference championships.

The Redhawks finished 4-7 last year after winning the Ohio Valley Conference championship the previous season. SEMO looks to rebound this season when it takes on North Alabama in the FCS Kickoff, on Saturday, Aug. 24, at Montgomery, Ala.

The Semoball Awards are presented by Mercy and brought to you by official bank sponsor The Bank of Missouri and title sponsors SEMO ESPN Radio, the St. Louis Cardinals, rustmedia, and your local newspaper.