Back to the Basics: Mules host Sikeston on homecoming

The Poplar Bluff High School Mules football team looks to pick up the pieces after a devastating loss by longtime rival Jackson High School 49-21 in last Friday’s matchup.

Heading into their next game against the Sikeston High School Bulldogs, the Mules plan to utilize this homecoming game as an opportunity to get back on track.

Despite a 1-3 start, the Mules are still on pace for a solid season similar to the previous year, where they started 0-4 but still managed to make a run at the district championship against Cape Central.

Head football coach Dave Sievers said he knows the team is excited about homecoming but wants them to remember to block out the noise when they step onto the field and get back to the fundamentals of the game. He said the Mules played a great first half in their last game, but he wants them focused on playing through all four quarters.

Despite the loss, Sievers said the energy is still high in the locker room and at practice.

“We got off to a really good start, and I think just the tempo and the speed that Jackson plays with just pushed us to run out of gas a little bit,” Sievers said. “I couldn’t have been more proud of how the kids played in the first half, but I’m disappointed we couldn’t finish. After a game like that, it’s easy to have a negative hangover, but the kids had a really good week of practice, and they’re really excited for homecoming week.”

The Mules were rocking in the first half against Jackson but suddenly hit a wall after halftime. Jay Edmundson threw 22/27 on 164 yards and led the Mules in rushing with 24 yards. Romeoh Wontor led the team with 96 receiving yards, while Darius Graham added with 61 yards and one touchdown. Logan Hite chipped in with one touchdown on 20 yards rushing and Jais Soto gained 18 yards with one touchdown.

Though the Mules put up solid offensive numbers, Sievers said the goal for this week in practice was getting back to the fundamentals of the game.

“If there’s anything we took from the last game is we must play this game the right way and get back to the basics,” Sievers said. “Last week, we didn’t block really well up front, we didn’t block very well out on the edges and we didn’t tackle properly. We’ve got too many kids that won’t run their feet through tackles, and we must change that. We’re still early enough in the season, and that’s going to be a point of emphasis going forward.”

Sievers said the game plan during practices was working on getting the plays in quicker so they could have more time at the line to survey what’s going on. He said there were few big changes, but he wants the team to be fundamentally sound and play with heart.

As the Mules get ready to play Sikeston (0-4), Sievers doesn’t want the team to take them lightly. He said each time the Mules have played the Bulldogs, they have always given them their best game.

“This is another rivalry that goes back, and the people really seem to love it,” he said. “Coach (Treston) Pulley does a great job with his kids, but we’re prepared to play. It’s just a matter of making sure the kids don’t let all the extracurricular stuff get in the way because sometimes it’s kind of hard to get these kids to understand and believe and focus on the fact that the game is the most important thing when you’re on the field.”

Sievers said at this point, the Mules may have given up their chance of winning the conference but ensures the team that everything else is still out in front of them to take.

“We just need to take care of business,” Sievers said. “Last week’s loss is behind us. We go to refocus and get ready to play just like every game.”