High school football: East Prairie pushes past Malden in closing seconds

MALDEN — The Malden High School defense stopped East Prairie late in the fourth quarter at the 50-yard line.

However, on the Green Wave's subsequent drive — they fumbled.

That gave East Prairie possession with less than two minutes to play, and Eagle Connor Marcum scored the game-winning TD on a 1-yard plunge.

Kennett�s Marquiese Pittman (24) attempts to shake off the tackle of New Madrid County Central�s Samir Smith during the first half of a game dated Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. Pittman scored the Indians� lone TD in a 54-6 loss. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

East Prairie bounced back from last week's loss to Kennett with a 50-42 conquest over Malden at “The Swamp.”

That brings the Malden (0-6) losing skid to 19 games dating back to the 2021 season. The Green Wave have their final home game next Friday versus Portageville.

New Madrid County Central 54, Kennett 6

Malden High School senior wide receiver Quentin Kilgore (2) checks with the official to make sure he's lined up correctly during the third quarter of a football game between the Green Wave and East Prairie dated Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The Green Wave pushed the Eagles, until falling late 50-42. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

NEW MADRID — Marquiese Pittman scored Kennett's lone TD on a pitch play from Ty Jones in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, NMCC's offense fired on all cylinders — sparking by an opening 61-yard TD pass from quarterback B.J. Williamson to future Coastal Carolina wide receiver Jadis Jones.

A.J. Ruff, Ty Williams and JaKwon Jones also were among the Eagles to figure prominently in the scoring.

Kennett High School's Kaden Taylor (44) attempts to create a jam on New Madrid County Central and future Coastal Carolina wide receiver Jadis Jones during the second quarter of a game dated Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The Eagles overwhelmed the Indians 54-6 � giving Kennett its second loss of the season.(Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Kennett, who dropped to 4-2, has its final home game next Friday versus a rapidly improving squad from Dexter.