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Perry Co. football sees major improvement in 2024
According to the high school football projector site, CalPreps.com, if this year’s Perryville and St. Vincent teams were to play the 2023 version of themselves, the present would not only beat the past but by wide margins as well.
2024 Perryville would win 41-6 and 2024 St. Vincent would win 42-14, and that’s saying something because last year’s Indians went to the Class 1 semifinals.
If nothing else, this speaks to the massive improvement both teams made this year and where they can go as the season nears its second month.
“I think the improvements are just that a lot of them are returning, so their comfort level in the system, just another year bigger, faster, stronger and just overall familiarity with the system,” St. Vincent head coach Tim Schumer said.
Both teams also featured new starting quarterbacks with similar success. Perryville’s Kayd Luckey has thrown for 509 yards and six touchdowns against two interceptions and also rushed for 262 yards and five scores.
“His ability to use his legs and his arm and the way that he’s taken what the defense gives him without pushing the ball down the field and getting too many turnovers,” Perryville head coach Brent Roth said.
It also helps that he has wide receiver Chase Richardet to throw to, which he has for an arena-leading 392 yards and four touchdowns. His other two touchdown passes went to Dominic Seiler.
“He’s taking care of the ball and got great weapons all over the field,” Roth said.
Nick Buchheit is second among Semoball teams in passing with 957 yards and tied with J.C. Ford of Hayti with 11 touchdowns.
“I think he’s doing a great job of taking what the defense gives him and going through his progressions and just being smart with the football,” Schumer said. “And he does have some really good guys on the outside that’s helping him out along the way.”
John Schwartz, who was a Semoball Awards finalist for defense last year, expanded into offense and has become the second-leading receiver in the area with 312 yards and three touchdowns.
“I think it’s just more opportunity,” Schumer said. “John being familiar and kind of knowing his role has been able to jump in and maybe get some more looks and even it out.”
Schwartz is one of four receivers who have at least 11 receptions and one of three who has three touchdown passes, the other two being Max Wheeler (259 yards) and Jake Seabaugh (151).
“We’re spreading the ball out really well,” Schumer said.
Both teams have exhibited balance on offense but the ground game is where the Pirates thrive, which is ironic given their name. Running back Barrett Wheeler is among the area’s top rushers with 374 yards and six touchdowns.
“Barrett Wheeler’s running the ball between the tackles more effectively and pushing the pile, Roth said. “And our O-line is very improved from last year.”
While the defense hasn’t played to expectations, Roth has said he noticed a demonstrative improvement from the unit, which only lost one player from last year. Brett Bohnert (31) and Kaleb Huber (30) lead the Pirates in tackles with Evan Hayden not far behind with 29 tackles of his own.
Five different defenders have an interception and in the secondary, Gavin Hemmann has emerged as an X-factor on the defense.
“Gavin Hemmann at the corner has really came along over the last two years,” Roth said. “He’s probably been the most improved player. I think Gavin’s our best corner and he’s looked really good.”
The Indians have a defensive dynamic duo of their own. Carson House leads St. Vincent with 47 tackles followed by 40 from Eli Abernathy. Jack Seabaugh also leads the defense in sacks with three, putting the senior behind only three players in Southeast Missouri.
“I think Eli Abernathy has done a fantastic job,” Schumer said. “He’s kind of made a jump where he’s really a strong presence on that outside setting the edge and doing the things we ask him to on the defensive side of the ball.”
Perryville (3-1) hosts Grandview on Friday, Sept. 27 with the chance of matching last year’s win total.
St. Vincent (4-0) travel to Hayti on Friday in a game that will likely set the table that is Class 1 District 1.