DEMENT TO LEAVE CAPE CENTRAL

Earlier this year, Jerry Dement announced his resignation after six seasons as the head football coach at Cape Girardeau Central High School.

And Wednesday, Dement said that he will be leaving Central all together following the conclusion of the school year.

Dement, a Sikeston native, will be returning home and to his alma mater as he becomes head track coach and assistant football coach at Sikeston High School. Dement will teach physical education at Sikeston.

"It's my home town and all that," said Dement. "And they made an excellent offer with a chance to advance myself. But it was a tough decision because Cape has been good to me for the most part."

Dement compiled a 31-29 record as Central's football coach. He is also Central's head track coach, leading the program to five consecutive district and conference titles.

Dement has also previously coached at Sikeston, heading up the track program and assisting with the football program from 1979-89.

"I'm going to miss the kids here more than anything," Dement said. "The kids and their parents have been excellent to me and so have the people I've worked with here."