High school football: Caruthersville prepares for Valle Catholic test

STE. GENEVIEVE — This has been a successful season for the Caruthersville High School football team, and the Tigers are currently riding a four-game winning streak.

Now comes a stern challenge.

Caruthersville will square off with powerhouse Valle Catholic at 7 p.m. Friday from venerable Father Dempsey Field.

“We’ve played Valle before,” Caruthersville head coach Dominick Guglielmo noted. “We’re excited to head up to Valle and play one of the best Class 2 teams in the state.”

Caruthersville has an interesting history with Valle Catholic, and the Tigers and Warriors have split the four games.

During the 2019 season, Caruthersville defeated Valle Catholic 38-35 — which was the only blemish the Warriors had en route to winning the Class 1 championship.

For the past few years, the Missouri State High School Activities Association moved Valle Catholic to Class 3 based on the Warriors’ “championship factor.” Two seasons ended in losses to St. Mary’s, a Catholic school based on the southside of St. Louis.

Valle Catholic will employ multiple formations on offense, and Guglielmo is looking forward to facing it.

“They run the screen game so well,” the coach commented. “They have a detail-oriented, disciplined offense.”

During its 56-7 victory over Kennett, Valle Catholic was in spread formation — sometimes with an empty backfield.

Quarterback Grant Fallert has produced a stellar season, replacing his cousin Chase Fallert. Grant has passed for 1,403 yards and rushed for 759 more (7.5 yards per rush).

Three Warriors have provided strong receiving totals. Tyler Gegg has caught 25 passes for 447 yards. Rylan Fallert has added 274 yards and Colin Henderson 267. As a group, Valle Catholic has averaged 16.9 yards per reception.

After an opening-game loss to Class 6 Seckman (Imperial), Valle Catholic has rolled through everyone else — outscoring opposition 400-88.

Meanwhile, Caruthersville has averaged nearly 38 points per game and allowed 21 per contest this season.

However, in its most recent four games, the Tigers have outscored opponents 210-33 (Charleston, East Prairie, Hayti and Kelly).

Caruthersville’s two most impressive signature wins this season were versus Kennett (beating the Indians 40-32 on Sept. 15 at Metz Cherry Stadium) and Friday, Oct. 27, versus Kelly, 49-7.

Defensively, look for Valle Catholic to run an even front. Guglielmo is very impressed with the Warriors’ linebacking corps.

“I look at their scheme,” Guglielmo said. “They do a lot of good things. When they are stopping the run, they have linebackers that can scrape back and make tackles.”

Three Valle Catholic defensive players have accrued more than 50 tackle points in Josh Fallert, Alex Viox and Isaac Viox.

Cohen Gibbs has a team-leading 13 tackles for losses and 5.5 quarterback sacks. Issac Viox also has 12 quarterback pressures, and the defense has forced 19 turnovers.

Caruthersville has a dynamic pass-catching duo in Jermonte Alexander — perhaps one of the best players The Bootheel has — and Abeyon Motton. Alexander has 725 receiving yards on 35 catches. Motton serves as a possession receiver (31 catches, 394 yards). The pair have combined for 14 TD.

Quarterback Ryan Guest has been responsible for distributing the ball (71-of-98 passing and just three INT). The offensive line has been stout as Guest has been sacked just seven times this season.

Sammy Bryant has been the featured tailback with 106 carries for 1,175 yards and 20 TD in the Tigeers’ balanced offense.

Defensively, Jermaine Caruthers is a premier defensive lineman with 85 tackles, including a team-best 17 for negative yardage. He has also recovered four fumbles.

Jared Hudgens (four quarterback sacks), Oscar Dominguez (87 tackles), Alexander (six INT, 300 return yards) and Motton (five INT, 144 return yards) also figure into the defense’s success.

DETAILS

Caruthersville

Who: Caruthersville at Valle Catholic

What’s at stake? The winner of this game will face either New Madrid County Central or Scott City for the Class 2 District 1 championship on Friday, Nov. 10.

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Father Dempsey Field, Ste. Genevieve

Admission prices: $6 across the board per MSHSAA guidelines

Radio: Classic Hits 105.1 KCRV-FM or Prepcasts St. Louis

Streaming: Will only be provided through MSHSAA TV (www.mshsaa.tv)

Matchup history: Caruthersville defeated Valle Catholic, 38-35, on Sept. 13, 2019. That’s the last known game between the two schools.