Sikeston’s season end, but groundwork laid for future growth

Sikeston’s Sam McGill (8) delivers a big hit just as Hillsboro quarterback Braxton Chazelle (5) lets go of the ball during the Hawks’ 55-22 win in the opening round of the Class 4, District 1 Tournament on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

HILLSBORO, Mo. — Sikeston’s season ended on a tough note, falling 55-22 at Hillsboro in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 4, District 1 Tournament on Friday, Nov. 1.

Though the season ended sooner than hoped, the Bulldogs (3-7, 0-4 SEMO North) flashed potential under head coach Jim May’s guidance, battling through adversity and building a strong foundation for the years to come.

“I wish we had gotten a better result,” May said. “But our kids played hard and fought for 48 minutes. I just wish we could have gotten more wins for these seniors. They’re a good group of young men who’ve done everything we’ve asked. It wasn’t meant to be, but they laid the groundwork for something better. It’s coming.”

The Hawks (5-5) set the tone early, marching precisely down the field on the opening drive. Quarterback Braxton Chazelle orchestrated a seamless attack, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper, giving Hillsboro a 7-0 lead about four minutes into the game. 

Sikeston, however, was quick to respond with Pierce Baker delivering a stunning pass to Luke Gadberry, who made a remarkable catch over his shoulder despite tight coverage. This 63-yard connection set up a short touchdown run by Gadberry, leveling the score at 7-7 and injecting hope into the Bulldogs’ sideline.

Hillsboro wasted no time regaining control. A 2-yard touchdown run by lineman Griffin Morris put them back in the lead at 14-7. Chazelle continued to exploit Sikeston’s defense with another quarterback keeper, extending the lead to 20-7. The offensive onslaught continued as Chris Duncan added a 23-yard touchdown, pushing the score to 27-7, and with 5:41 left in the first half, Chazelle connected with Ian Phillips for a 32-yard touchdown pass, widening the gap to 34-7.

The Bulldogs managed to cut the deficit with a 3-yard touchdown run by Gadberry, bringing the score to 34-14 with 1:31 left in the half.

However, any momentum Sikeston hoped to carry into halftime was dashed when Hillsboro executed a trick play. Duncan threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Phillips with only 22 seconds remaining, sending the teams into the locker room with Hillsboro leading 41-14.

Despite the daunting deficit, Sikeston continued to fight. Gadberry scored on a 10-yard touchdown run to narrow the lead to 41-22 with 3:12 left in the third quarter. Yet, Hillsboro’s relentless offense proved too much for the Bulldogs. Aiden Roland added a 14-yard touchdown run, and Joseph Jordan sealed the game with a 3-yard touchdown, bringing the final score to 55-22.

Despite the season’s abrupt end, Sikeston’s campaign was not without its highlights and achievements that signal a promising future. Baker, a junior, set a new single-game passing yard record against Hillsboro, completing 34-of-51 passes for 411 yards. This remarkable feat broke the previous record held by Garret Taylor (1994).

Baker’s record-setting night signals a bright future, as the Bulldogs continue to develop a dynamic offense under May.

Another standout achievement came from junior Keane Atkins, who set a new single-season record for receptions with 45 catches, surpassing the previous mark of 44 set by Niquavious Dixon (2009) and Scotty Keenan (2003).

Atkins’ consistency and reliability as a receiver have been crucial for Sikeston’s offensive strategy and will be a key asset as the team looks to build on this season’s foundation.

“We started a lot of young kids,” May said. “They stepped up and got better each week. Our offensive line was a question mark coming into the season, and they did a fantastic job tonight. They’ve worked and worked, and gotten so much better.”

Seniors Gadberry and Darryl Jordan leave a lasting legacy, finishing their careers ranked in the top 10 of multiple defensive categories. Their leadership and performance on the field have been instrumental in guiding the younger players and setting a standard for future Bulldogs to follow.

“[The first year] was struggling,’ May said. “We won three games, and that was not what my goals were for sure. But there were remarkable improvements as we went. We should have even more improvement going into next year because things should be more familiar. Starting the season, we were still learning. We ought to be past that, and that should accelerate our progress.”

As the Bulldogs look ahead to the offseason, their main focus will be on building physical strength. The team aims to hit the weight room hard, addressing the disadvantage of being a weaker team this season. This commitment to physical development is expected to complement the technical skills and strategic insights gained this season.

“I’m frustrated we didn’t win more games,” May said. “We should have, but we let a couple get away. That’s life, and we can’t dwell on it. We’re going to love on these seniors and appreciate what they did for us. Then, we’re going to start building for next year.

“We have to keep getting stronger,” he concluded. “That’s been our weakness this year and even tonight. We’re not as strong as they are, and that’s a problem. We’re working on it every day. I’ve been saying all year, each week, I want to be a week better in football and a week stronger. We’re going to keep going that way and get there.”