Area teams set for sectional tests

The road to the TWA Dome begins Wednesday with several area teams still in the hunt for a football state championship.

The area's schedule is highlighted by the second sectional meeting in three years between North County and Central. The Tigers (8-2) are coming off a Thursday rout of Poplar Bluff, the state's sixth-ranked team in Class 4, and will host the fourth-ranked Raiders at Houck Stadium. Central handed North County (9-1) its only loss of the season in a 25-18 game at Houck in Week 4.

St. Vincent (7-3) went 3-0 in its district after upsetting favored Hayti in the first week of district play. The Indians last made the sectional round in 2000, the year they lost in the state championship game. St. Vincent will face Paris (9-1) at home.

Other teams from Southeast Missouri playing in sectionals Wednesday are Caruthersville (9-1) and New Madrid County Central (8-2). Caruthersville is making its first trip to the sectionals since 1994 and will host a Crystal City (7-3) team in its first sectional since 1996.

NMCC, which beat Central in overtime earlier this season, is returning to the sectionals after having its seven-year sectional appearance streak snapped last season. The Eagles will play Ste. Genevieve (7-3) at home.

Clayton, one of the top teams in Class 4 and undefeated going into its final district game, had to forfeit its district title because it used an ineligible player. The school lost an appeal Friday but has an emergency appeal hearing Monday to determine whether the school will regain its district title.

McDonald gives verbal commitment to Southeast

Southeast Missouri State University's softball team has struggled the past two seasons after a long run of success under coach Lana Richmond.

Central senior Megan McDonald will try to help change that after she recently gave an oral commitment to Southeast. The first day for athletes to officially sign with colleges is Wednesday.

The three-sport star will look to help the Otahkians return to Ohio Valley Conference dominance. McDonald, who was Central's ace pitcher and played shortstop, finished her senior season with a 0.48 ERA in 135 innings. McDonald struck out 159 and had a 13-6 record. Offensively, McDonald hit .363 with 14 stolen bases, four doubles, four triples and had 16 RBIs.

College notes

Jackson graduate Jenna Leet scored five points and grabbed six rebounds in her debut for Southern Methodist's basketball team. Leet played 17 minutes in SMU's 96-81 exhibition win over Houston.

Brittney Weibrecht, a Perryville graduate, has put together a strong sophomore campaign with 20 goals for Meramec's soccer team. Meramec was 15-2-1 heading into a showdown with Florissant Valley over the weekend.