Caruthersville FB is going to 'run' back to respectability

DEXTER – The Caruthersville High School football program has won just nine games combined over the past three seasons, however, if you ask ANYONE who has watched high school football throughout the Bootheel for any length of time, EVERYONE knows of the great history of the Tigers on the gridiron.

This is a program that used to win nine (or more) games in ONE season, let alone three combined autumns.

If Friday’s performance at the Dexter High School jamboree was any indication, Caruthersville, which is playing its second season under coach Dom Guglielmio, is on its way back to scaring opponents.

The Tigers spent Friday evening making a multitude of explosive plays, many of which were executed by very young athletes.

“The big thing that I saw was our offensive line gave our quarterback (junior Ryan Guest) time,” Guglielmio said. “No matter who we were playing, when I had my varsity out there against Poplar Bluff and Fredericktown, my quarterback had time to sit back there and have our pass concepts develop, and for him to deliver the ball.”

Against the Blackcats, it took the Caruthersville offense all of one play to make an impression.

Tiger sophomore running back Sammy Bryant tore off around the right end and weaved his way through a mass of Fredericktown jerseys before scoring on a 40-yard jaunt.

“If we can run the ball,” Guglielmio explained, “then we can control the clock and we can control the air. You’ve got to win in between the tackles to win football games.”

Bryant was not alone in his excellence.

Sophomore back-up quarterback Jared Hudgens, who will play a significant role elsewhere while Guest is quarterbacking, had several strong runs.

“We have moved Jared and he has been really successful,” Guglielmio said. “He’s a weapon. You’ll hear his name over the loudspeaker.”

If the thought of Hudgens and Bryant showing their athleticism for another three years isn’t enough to concern opponents, then throw in freshman Chazmon Thomas, who had a great, long run against Fredericktown.

“We put a lot of time and effort into developing our run game this off-season,” Guglielmio said. “We feel that if we start from the inside out, between the tackles, then everything will fall into place, and today proved that.”

Caruthersville wasn’t just impressive on offense. At one point, the Blackcat offense began to find some rhythm and reached inside the red zone against the Tigers. However, on a quarterback keeper, sophomore defender Jermaine Caruthers leveled the Fredericktown quarterback for a great tackle-for-a-loss.

“Our defense is stout,” Guglielmio said.

The Tigers managed a pair of interceptions against Poplar Bluff, and nearly had a fumble recovery on the night, as well.

“Most of our tackles today were for a loss,” Guglielmio said.

The Tigers have 37 athletes on their 2023 roster, which features just five seniors.

Caruthersville will open the 2023 regular season on Friday at 7 p.m., as it hosts Malden.