BRIEFLY: GRANTHAM WINS PUNT, PASS, KICK FINAL

ST. LOUIS -- Hunter Grantham of Jackson and Kara Schilli of Ste. Genevieve both placed first in their age divisions of the state finals of the NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass & Kick competition held Sunday at the TWA Dome.

The finals of the competition were held at halftime of the St. Louis Rams-Atlanta Falcons game.

Grantham compiled a total distance of 231 feet, 3 inches to capture the Boys 8/9 division.

Schilli won the Girls 10/11 division with a 208-8 total.

Both youths are now eligible for the national finals to be held in January at an AFC playoff game.

A total of 30 state competitions will be held with the top four overall winners in each age division advancing to the nationals.

Other sectional winners fared well: Waylon Richardet of Perryville placed third in Boys 10/11; Brent Kell of Perryville was fourth in Boys 14/15; Caitlin Hoeh of Perryville finished fourth in Girls 14/15; Tracy Duncan of Dexter took fourth in Girls 8/9; and Kristen Roberts of Jackson was fifth in Girls 12/13.