Daily American Republic

BENTON, Mo. — Kelly has much to celebrate as several of its softball players have been recognized for their outstanding contributions this season. For the second consecutive year, Blaire Riley earned all-state honors from the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association...

SIKESTON — The once-ravaged tennis courts at Sikeston High School have been reborn. After suffering significant damage from a powerful tornado in May, the courts have been repaired, offering a renewed space and sparking excitement for local athletes and the community...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — One of the top young receivers in the National Football League can trace his roots all the way back to Poplar Bluff Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison came to Minneapolis from the University of Southern California in 2023, but his family roots are in Poplar Bluff — and that family has supported and cheered him on throughout his football career...

Moral victories may not be something any coach or player cares to tally up. But when you’re a college basketball team in a mid-major conference like Southeast Missouri State, the only way into March Madness is by winning the conference tournament title in March. So everything from here until conference play is about how improved and competitive a team looks...

ORAN, Mo. — While the Oran volleyball team faced challenges this season, finishing with an 8-17-0 record, they still had plenty to celebrate. Several players earned well-deserved postseason honors, showcasing their individual talent and the team's potential for future success...

The Sikeston girls' tennis team breaks in the newly repaired courts. The court were damaged by a tornado in May of 2024.

With a dozen players back from last season’s national quarterfinalist squad, it is safe to say the Three Rivers College women’s basketball team has a lot of depth on its roster. That depth was on display Monday night at the Libla Family Sports Complex, as the Lady Raiders used a huge performance by their bench to turn a six-point halftime lead into an 80-49 win over the Northwest Mississippi Rangers...

Former Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) baseball pitcher Noah Niznik has turned a standout college career into a rookie season to remember with the Savannah Bananas, earning the Rookie of the Year award for 2024. Known for his dominance on the mound at SEMO, Niznik has seamlessly transitioned into the high-energy, dance-filled world of Banana Ball, where athleticism meets entertainment...

Several local players were represented when the SEMO North Conference recently released its all-conference squad. Two Dexter players — Kate Nichols and Cali White — earned first-team all-conference honors, while two Poplar Bluff players, Ireland Gowen and Morgan Cisne, were named second-team all-conference, as was Dexter’s Avery Riley...

Jackson and Dexter clinch district titles, advancing to quarterfinals. St. Vincent dominates Van-Far, securing a spot in the district title game. Check out the Week 13 Semoball Area Football Power Rankings.

CRYSTAL CITY, Mo. — In a dramatic semifinal clash in the MSHSAA Class 1, District 1 Tournament, Charleston faced a heart-wrenching 36-34 defeat at Crystal City on Friday, Nov. 15. The contest was a whirlwind of emotions, culminating in an overtime showdown that left the Blue Jays (7-4, 4-1 SEMO South) just shy of victory...

Fourth-year Puxico High School boy’s basketball coach Bryant Fernetti, who also serves as the school’s athletic director, has no one to blame but himself when he takes a glance at the Indians’ non-conference schedules this winter.

By MIKE BUHLER Sports Writer PARK HILLS —The Three Rivers College men's basketball team put a two-game losing streak in its rearview mirror with a pair of strong performances over the weekend at the Bob Sechrest Classic on the campus of Mineral Area College...

Photos from Charleston’s 36-34 loss in the semifinal round of the MSHSAA Class 1, District 1 Tournament at Crystal City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

DEXTER — For the first time since 2011, the Dexter football Bearcats are district champions — but they had to earn it. The Bearcats rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit to win the Class 3 District 1 championship 28-13 over the Ste. Genevieve Dragons on Friday night at Charles Bland Stadium...

Here is a list of the area's statistical leaders in volleyball this season. The top 12 players in each category are listed. Kills: Angel Johnson, Clarkton, 533; Lilyan Landis, Scott City, 477; Katy St. John, Jackson, 467; Kate Nichols, Dexter, 466; Addison Carlton, Advance, 428; Reagan Howe, Oak Ridge, 421; Bailey Henry, Bernie, 410; Gloriaha Farmer, Portageville, 381; Piper Underwood, Cape Central, 369; Kate Rubel, St. ...

The story of the 2024 Poplar Bluff football Mules, to paraphrase Charles Dickens, could be titled, “A Tale of Two Teams,” but with a reversal of Dickens’ famous opening line, “It was the worst of times, it was the best of times.” The worst of times was the start of the season, which saw the Mules begin the first half of their schedule 1-4 with home losses to Farmington and Cape Central...

The Dexter High School girls basketball program has strung together three consecutive non-losing seasons, but if the Bearcats hope to make it four successful seasons, it is going to take a good dose of coaching acumen from veteran leader Eric Sitze and a whole lot of Kate Nichols.

SEMO adds local talent Southeast Missouri State added some local talent on Thursday, Nov. 14, as high school seniors across Missouri signed their letters of intent to play in college. The men's basketball team added more height for the future by signing Sikeston's 7-foot senior center Trace Sadler...

ST CHARLES, Mo. — A tenacious defender with a knack for getting to the rim, Jadis Jones has always been a step ahead of the competition, and his immediate impact on the Division I level at Lindenwood University has been undeniable. This week, the Ohio Valley Conference recognized his stellar debut by naming him Freshman of the Week, a promising start to what could be a stellar college career...

Players from Caruthersville, Cape Central, Dexter and Farmington have been selected as finalists as the most outstanding football players in the SEMO Conference. Jermonte Alexander of Caruthersville, Jett Grams of Dexter and Zai’Aire Thomas of Cape Central are in the running to take home the Carr Trophy, given to the conference’s most outstanding player, while Nolan Alford of Dexter, Oscar Dominguez of Caruthersville and Kaesen McClain of Farmington are finalists for the Derland Moore Award as the top defensive players in the conference.. ...

The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks host a Western Illinois team that is trying to emulate the example set by head coach Tom Matukewicz. The Leathernecks, under first-year head coach Joe Davis, are 3-7, 2-4 in their first season in the Big South-OVC. It's an improvement over the past two winless seasons during their final years in the Missouri Valley Football Conference...

Southeast Missouri State men’s basketball coach Brad Korn said leading up to Wednesday’s home opener that starting the season at Bradley and Vanderbilt exposed the Redhawks’ early weakness. The Redhawks took out a first week of frustration with a landslide victory over NAIA member Crowley’s Ridge 93-38 on Nov. 13, at the Show Me Center...

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Kelly had a solid showing at the MSHSAA Class 2 State Meet at Gans Creek Cross Country Course on Saturday, Nov. 9, highlighted by senior Truman White’s All-State performance.  White’s 28th-place finish, clocking in at 17 minutes and 57.50 seconds, not only secured All-State honors but also shattered a 15-year drought, making him the first Kelly runner to earn this distinction since 2008 when Cody Kern and Tara Johnson achieved similar accolades...

COLUMBIA, Mo. — With a legacy of excellence, Kelly added another feather to its cap by winning the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association (MCCA) Class 2A Small Division state title for the second year in a row. This victory, achieved on Nov. 2 at the University of Missouri, marks the program's seventh state title and the sixth under the leadership of head coach Billy Hoskins...

During the 2024 Ohio Valley Conference cross-country meet the Redhawks qualified 14 runners for the Midwest Regional.  Seniors Noah Little and Justin Splitt, juniors Jacob Blassingame, Clayton Eftink, and Byron Sowerby, sophomore Cade McCadams, and freshman Evan Fuller are competing on the men's side. Competing for the women are senior Madelyn Gray, juniors Alayna Sparr and Kayla Vogelsang, sophomores Brooklyn Bender and Nova Ojutkangas, and freshmen Lauren Eftink and Cordelia Hoover...

ROBINSON, Ill. — The Three Rivers College men's and women's basketball teams had a mixed showing when they went on the road Tuesday to take on the Lincoln Trail Statesmen and Lady Statesmen. The Lady Raiders broke the 100-point barrier for the first time this season in a 105-56 win over Lincoln Trail, while the men fell 69-61 in overtime to Lincoln Trail...

The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks host the Leathernecks of Western Illinois in the final home game of the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 16. SEMO (8-2, 5-1 Big South-OVC) dropped to No. 12 in the nation after the 24-12 upset loss at Lindenwood a week ago. The Redhawks still sit atop the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference while Western Illinois (3-7, 2-4 Big South-OVC) is seventh in the conference standings...

The evolution of Bernie High School girl’s cross country runner Ella Harris continued in the recent MSHSAA Class 1 State Finals at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia.

MOBERLY — The Three Rivers College men's basketball team came oh-so-close to starting the season 5-0 on Saturday at the second day of the Midwest JUCO Challenge against the Southeastern (Iowa) Blackhawks. Southeastern's Inslee Carroll hit a basket with less than a second remaining to lift the Blackhawks past the Raiders 57-56 on Saturday afternoon at Fitzsimmons-John Arena...

The Three Rivers College women's basketball team had little trouble improving to 3-1 this weekend as the Lady Raiders rolled to a pair of big wins at the Lady Raider Classic at the Libla Family Sports Complex. The Lady Raiders downed Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 72-46 on Friday, then rolled past John A. Logan 99-47 on Saturday afternoon...

Discover which teams are dominating Week 12 as Caruthersville climbs the rankings with a big win and Cape Central narrowly avoids an upset. Get the latest on district finals matchups and power rankings.

Local runners across Southeast Missouri raced on Friday-Saturday, Nov. 8-9, in Columbia for the MSHSAA cross country championships. Woodland boys' won the MSHSAA Class 2 state championship for the second consecutive year. Notre Dame placed second in the Class 3 boys' meet, while Dexter placed fourth...

ST. LOUIS — Seven years after being drafted by the St. Louis Blues, third-year defenseman Scott Perunovich scored his first career NHL goal. It was the lone bright spot in an 8-1 home loss against the Washington Capitals on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Enterprise Center...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — In a game that started with a sleepy first half, Charleston awoke with a vengeance, unleashing a rapid-fire scoring spree to secure a 50-16 grilling of Chaffee in the Class 1, District 1 Quarterfinal at John H. Marshall Field on Friday, Nov. 8...

Cape Central edges past Poplar Bluff 28-21 on Friday night, securing a spot in the Class 5 District 1 final. Zai’Aire Thomas shines with 215 yards and three touchdowns, setting up a showdown with powerhouse Cardinal Ritter.

Third time was the charm for Lindenwood. The Lions saluted their seniors and shocked the FCS world with a shocking upset win over No. 6 Southeast Missouri State 24-12 on a soaked Saturday afternoon in St. Charles. It was the first time the Lions took home the Gameball Brawl trophy since moving to Division I and establishing the Big South-OVC rivalry with SEMO. The Redhawks have won the past two meetings by double-digits...

DEXTER — Survive and advance. That's what the Dexter football Bearcats did as they outlasted the Fredericktown Blackcats 56-20 in the Class 3 District 1 semifinals Friday night at Charles Bland Stadium. Dexter had a bye last week thanks to their top seed in the district. Fredericktown defeated Potosi 23-21 last Friday in the quarterfinals and came to Dexter looking for an improbable upset...

Photos from Charleston's 50-14 win over Chaffee in the MSHSAA Class 1, District 1 Tournament at John H. Marshall Field on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Sikeston saw its season come to a close with a 3-1 defeat at Farmington in the semifinals of the MSHSAA Class 4, District 1 Tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs (14-7-1) can take pride in a season that saw them overcome challenges and consistently perform at a high level, culminating in their most successful campaign in more than a decade. ...

The Poplar Bluff football Mules have earned a well-justified reputation as road warriors this season. All five of the Mules' wins entering Friday's district semifinal at Cape Central have come on the road, including a three-game winning streak that includes wins at Kennett, Hillsboro and last week's district opener at Farmington...

The Southeast Missouri State football team emerges from their second bye week of the season undefeated in FCS play, leading the Big South-OVC and riding a seven-game winning streak. The bye week came at an opportune time for the Redhawks, who have piled up injuries right next to their stack of victories. SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz said he took the opportunity to give his players the week off to rest before returning to preparation for their next game...

It wasn’t exactly in the short-term career plans for Poplar Bluff graduate Madison (Moore) Brannon. But things are shaping up nicely. Brannon, a 2021 graduate of the Mules, has accepted the district’s offer to become the girls swimming assistant coach, as she formally accepted the offer on Oct. 9. She hopes to help the team build off last year’s 11-3 record...

The name Slug Hefner is synonymous with success. Whether it is Hefner Furniture or the plethora of other successful business ventures, Hefner has found the winner’s circle on more than one occasion. And now, Hefner’s speed boat racing team — Dirty Duck Racing — is making waves throughout the sport, literally and figuratively...

NEWPORT, Ark. — The Three Rivers College men’s basketball team used a strong defense to take a 58-48 win over the Arkansas State University-Newport Aviators on Tuesday at the Greyhound Field House. With the win, the Raiders improve to 3-0 on the season, their best start in eight years. Three Rivers started the 2016-17 season 10-0 on the way to a 25-8 record and a Region XVI championship, the team’s last region title...

IRONTON, Mo. — Charleston’s Brown Logan has punched his ticket to the MSHSAA Class 2 State Meet, set to take place at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Missouri on Saturday, Nov. 9. “It was a surreal feeling,” Logan said. “It took a second to set in that all the hard work over the last four years had finally paid off, but once it did I felt ecstatic.”...

COLUMBIA, Mo. — East Prairie once again etched its name into Missouri cheerleading history, capturing the Class 2A Large Division State Championship title for the second consecutive year. The victory, celebrated on November 2 at the University of Missouri’s Hearnes Center in Columbia, marks a significant achievement for the team and solidified its position as a powerhouse in the state...

The Poplar Bluff football Mules will follow up their 56-21 postseason victory over Farmington last week with a Class 5 District 1 semifinal showdown at Cape Central this Friday. Poplar Bluff improved to 5-5 on the season with a dominating road victory, with all five wins so far coming on the road...

The Notre Dame boys’ swimming team was crowned SEMO Conference champions on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Cape Aquatic Center. Notre Dame sophomore Kaiden Cracraft won the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:48.82. He also took home the gold in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:02.27...

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Sikeston kicked off its playoff campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Cape Central in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 4, District 1 Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 2. The Bulldogs (14-6-1), led by multiple standout performances, capitalized on key moments to secure the victory over the Tigers (10-9-0)...

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...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — A month ago, Kelly was humbled by New Madrid County Central, but this past Friday, the Hawks (5-5, 1-3 SEMO Central) exacted revenge, delivering a knockout blow to the Eagles (4-6, 2-2 SEMO Central) with a 36-12 victory. “We faced some adversity, and we played through that and didn’t lose focus,” said Kelly coach Lance Powers. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — East Prairie turned the tables on Scott City, avenging an earlier season shutout with a decisive 49-29 victory in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Tournament on Friday, Nov. 1. Under the tutelage of first-year head coach Ian Penrod, the Eagles (8-2, 3-1 SEMO Central) have instilled a winning culture, and their physical and aggressive style of play was on full display as they outplayed the Rams (5-4, 2-3 SEMO South) in all phases of the game...

Poplar Bluff surges with a key win, setting the stage for a major clash between Caruthersville and East Prairie in the postseason. Discover who's climbing the Semoball Area Football Power Rankings.

The Robert Kirby era of Three Rivers College men's basketball is off to a great start. The Raiders improved to 2-0 on the season Saturday night with a 60-57 victory over the John A. Logan Volunteers on the final night of the First Midwest Bank Tournament of Champions — the first time in five years Three Rivers has swept its annual home-opening tournament...

The No. 5-ranked Three Rivers College women's basketball team has many reasons to still feel optimistic after suffering a 76-73 overtime loss to the Wabash Valley Lady Warriors Saturday afternoon at the Libla Family Sports Complex. “It makes me happy that we've got room to grow,” Three Rivers coach Alex Wiggs said. “We've got the opportunity to get better, and we're going to continue to do those things. We are 1-1 on the year, our loss to the No. 3 team in the nation, and we're okay...

ADVANCE — The Advance Hornets volleyball team is headed back to its home away from home. At least that's what Cape Girardeau's Show-Me Center has got to feel like to the Hornets after six trips to the final four in the last seven seasons. The Hornets punched their tickets back to Cape Girardeau on Saturday afternoon with a hard-fought 28-26, 25-5, 24-26, 25-20 over the Bernie Mules in an all-Stoddard County Class 1 quarterfinal at Advance High School...

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. — Under the crisp autumn skies of Lake Wappapello, Todd Turlington reeled in a decisive victory, capturing the top spot with a five-bass haul that tipped the scales at 9 pounds, 5 ounces. His impressive haul not only secured him the top spot but also earned him the Big Bass honors with a standout catch weighing 2 pounds, 9 ounces...

Photos from Sikeston's 55-22 loss at Hillsboro in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 4, District 1 Tournament on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

Fifteen years ago, Tara Porter was a first-team all-state basketball player at Greenville High School. Porter now finds herself on the other side of the bench as she is in her third season as the team trainer for all sports, including football, at Poplar Bluff High School...

FARMINGTON — The Poplar Bluff football Mules continued their Road Warriors tour in the 2024 season with a 56-21 trouncing of the Farmington Knights Friday night in the opening weekend of the Class 5 District 1 playoffs. The Mules improved to 5-5 on the season, with all five of their wins coming on the road, but none of the others were as dominating or decisive of their win at Farmington...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — St. Vincent conjured a spooky victory on Halloween night, casting a spell over Portageville with a 3-0 sweep in the sectional round of the MSHSAA Class 2 Tournament.  The Lady Indians’ (21-8-5) supernatural skills transformed the court into a haunted house for the Lady Bulldogs (30-6-2), who were lost in a labyrinth of horror...

After a wicked twist of fate threatened to end his season, James Naile emerged from the shadows of uncertainty to lead the Kia Tigers to an unforgettable victory in the 2024 KBO Korean Series. The Charleston native faced a career-defining moment when a line drive struck him in the face during a game against the NC Dinos on Aug. ...

Discover the top high school football stat leaders in the Semoball area through Week 9. From passing and rushing to tackling and interceptions, see who's dominating the field this season.

Forty-five years after he helped the Three Rivers College men’s basketball team win its first national championship, Robert Kirby is back to lead the Raiders on the hardwood this season. “It’s awesome to be back home,” Kirby said. “I’m loving being back in the element. When you coach a lot of different places, some places you go to, you (have to) work your way into knowing what’s going on, the people that surround the program and things like that — and feeling comfortable...

The Three Rivers College women's basketball team has set its sights on the highest goal this season: a national championship. The Lady Raiders have the players, the coach — and now the experience — to know exactly what it will take to climb that mountain...

Seeing standout Poplar Bluff girls golfer Olivia Thetford sign her letter of intent to play at the collegiate level was a “bittersweet moment” for Lady Mules head coach Tyler Davis. “She was one of the first golfers that I've had,” Davis said. “When I first started coaching, my first year was with the girls golf team, and she was one of my first six — so it means a lot having her finally get through the program and going off to the next level and playing golf. ...

The Poplar Bluff football Mules are riding high after a 3-1 finish to the regular season into a Class 5 District 1 showdown with Farmington this Friday. Following a 36-28 road win at Hillsboro last week, the Mules finished 4-5 on the year with a 4-1 road record. Considering the Mules went 0-4 at home, Poplar Bluff may feel more comfortable as the visitors in Farmington...

SIKESTON — Sikeston closed out its home season with a ruthless 8-0 demolition of Fredericktown at Bill Lawson Memorial Field on Monday, Oct. 28.  The Bulldogs (12-6-1) dominated from the opening whistle, overwhelming their opponents with relentless pressure and clinical finishing. The Blackcats (5-13-0)  struggled to contain the onslaught, as the mercy rule was invoked early in the second half, highlighting the sheer dominance of the home side...

DEXTER — The Notre Dame Bulldogs won the Class 3 District 1 volleyball championship with a 19-25, 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 15-7 victory over the Dexter Lady Bearcats Tuesday night at the Bearcat Event Center. Notre Dame (24-8-1) came into the match as the second seed behind top-seeded Dexter (24-5-1) and dominated at the net at the crucial moments of the night...

The Poplar Bluff Mules boys soccer team ended the regular season with a bang Monday night when the Mules shut out North County 8-0. More than that, senior Alex Bedell scored three goals to record the hat trick for the Mules (12-7-1), while Landen Deaton also had a pair of goals...

Photos from Sikeston's 8-0 win over Fredericktown at Bill Lawson Memorial on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

The Notre Dame Bulldogs won the Class 3 District 1 volleyball championship with a 19-25, 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 15-7 victory over the Dexter Lady Bearcats Tuesday night at the Bearcat Event Center in Dexter.

Photos from Sikeston's 8-0 win over Fredericktown at Bill Lawson Memorial on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

Check out Missouri's latest high school football rankings as St. Vincent ups its lead on the top spot in Class 1 while Jackson makes a comeback. Discover the key movements ahead of the postseason.

Get ready for postseason high school football in Southeast Missouri as Jackson holds the top spot after a dominant win over Festus. Discover the final regular season top 10 rankings and key matchups.

In a game in which No. 6 Southeast Missouri State defeated Gardner-Webb 30-24 on homecoming Saturday, the turnovers can be the difference between winning and losing. SEMO defensive back Ty Leonard swooped in and intercepted Gardner-Webb quarterback Tyler Ridell not once but twice, evening him with the number of picks Paxton DeLaurent threw...

Injuries are a part of the nature of football. All great teams win the battle of attrition on their way to the top. However, there's nothing common about the No. 6 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks continuing to soar despite how many times their wings get clipped...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Bernard Betts was simply unstoppable in Charleston’s 32-14 win against Sikeston at John H. Marshall Field on Friday, Oct. 25. Betts finished the day with a ridiculous 238 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 11 carries, eclipsing the 1,000 all-purpose yards mark for the season and propelling the Blue Jays (6-3, 4-1 SEMO South) to a dominant win over the Bulldogs (3-6, 0-4 SEMO North) in each squad’s regular-season finale...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — On a night dedicated to honoring its seniors, New Madrid County Central’s grizzled veterans refused to let their final home game end in disappointment, rallying from a late deficit to secure a thrilling 28-27 victory over Portageville on Thursday, Oct. 24...

SIKESTON — On a night dedicated to celebrating their contributions, Sikeston’s seniors delivered an unforgettable performance, coasting to an 8-0 win against Hillsboro at Bill Lawson Memorial Field on Thursday, Oct. 24. The Bulldogs’ victory over the Hawks (3-19-0) was more than just a win; it was a statement of how far the team has come. Matching last season’s win total,...

HILLSBORO — The Poplar Bluff football Mules racked up nearly 400 yards of total offense and rallied from a double-digit first-half deficit to pick up a big 36-28 road win over the Hillsboro Hawks on Friday night. With the win, Poplar Bluff ends a three-game losing streak against the Hawks...

Photos from Charleston's 32-14 win over Sikeston at John H. Marshall Field on Friday. Oct. 24, 2024.

Photos from New Madrid County Central's 28-27 win over Portageville on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024.

HILLSBORO — Brothers Preston and Payton Brown have become synonymous with excellence during their careers on the football field. Both Browns helped the Hillsboro football Hawks reach the Class 4 state championship game last fall — and that success has continued in 2024...

Photos from the Senior Night Ceremony before Sikeston's 8-0 win over Hillsboro at Bill Lawson Memorial Field on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024.

Statistical leaders from the Semoball coverage area through eight games. Semoball.com covers 20 local high school football programs, 18 of which field varsity teams for the 2024 season. Schools included in these totals are Cape Central, Caruthersville, Chaffee, Charleston, Dexter, East Prairie, Hayti, Jackson, Kelly, Kennett, Malden, New Madrid County Central, Perryville, Poplar Bluff, Portageville, Scott City, Sikeston and St. Vincent...

CHAFFEE, Mo. — In a heart-pounding clash at Frisco Park, Chaffee delivered a stunning 13-10 victory over Neelyville in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Championship on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Despite entering the game as the lower-seeded team, the No. 6 ranked Lady Devils (24-6) proved they had the heart of a champion, securing a district title for the second year in a row with the thrilling upset over the No. 4 ranked Lady Tigers (27-2)...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — In a gripping showdown that marked the culmination of the regular season, Sikeston emerged victorious at East Prairie with a 3-2 win on Monday, Oct. 21. The match, characterized by its back-and-forth nature, showcased the resilience and skill of both teams, ultimately highlighting the Lady Bulldogs’ (9-17-0) determination to close the season on a high note...

SIKESTON — Last week, in a match at New Madrid County Central, Kennedy Watson surpassed 1,000 career sets, a milestone that not only cements her legacy but also crowns her as the all-time leader in sets at Sikeston. The atmosphere was electric as the Lady Eagles graciously paused the match to honor Watson’s achievement on Oct. 17...

Following a dominant 39-0 road shutout at Kennett last Friday, the Poplar Bluff football Mules hope to close out their regular season strong this Friday on the road against the Hillsboro Hawks. The Mules improved to 3-5 on the season, while Hillsboro fell to 4-4 with a 62-35 loss at Chaminade. The Mules beat Chaminade on the road 14-12 in week two...

SIKESTON — In a match that epitomized the unpredictability and drama of high school soccer, Sikeston fell to Notre Dame in a 2-1 double-overtime thriller at the Bill Lawson Memorial Field on Monday, Oct. 17. Despite creating numerous opportunities, Sikeston's (10-6-1) inability to capitalize on chances ultimately led to the loss...

ST. LOUIS — It took St. Louis Blues veteran Brandon Saad entered his 14th season in the NHL just one point away from the 500 career mark. It took him until the final game of the Blues’ season-opening homestand but he finally crossed the mark with two goals during St. Louis’ 3-2 loss against the undefeated Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Enterprise Center...

Photos from Chaffee's 13-10 win over Neelyville in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Championship at Fisco Park on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.

Photos from Sikeston's 3-2 win at East Prairie on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024.

The Mules Booster Club has named Poplar Bluff High School athletes Hannah Kee and Jay Edmundson as the September Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. Edmundson, who is the Mules starting quarterback, has amassed 1,283 passing yards and 493 rushing yards this season, as of the recognition, for a total of 1,206 career rushing yards...

ST. LOUIS — The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules tennis team saw its season end in the Class 2 state quarterfinals on Monday with a 5-0 loss to MICDS. “Our girls played solid tennis today but came up short,” Poplar Bluff coach Michelle Massey said. “Many of their games went to deuce, which shows our girls hung in there. I’m proud of their season and how they stayed strong all season.”...

St. Vincent dethrones Marionville in Missouri's Class 1 football rankings. With one week left in the regular season, find out which teams are climbing and who’s holding steady.

East Prairie dominates Charleston, climbing rankings as Poplar Bluff reclaims a spot. Jackson and St. Vincent hold top positions in Southeast Missouri's Week 9 football power rankings.