High school football: From a distance, Kennett opens playoffs Friday

STE. GENEVIEVE — Kennett and Ste. Genevieve are roughly 152 miles apart according to Google Maps, making for a slightly more than two-hour trip.

When Herculaneum defeated Crystal City on the final play of the game last Friday, that meant Kennett’s drive would be even further for this Friday’s Class 3 District 1 tournament opener.

“They did what they had to do, and now we’ve got to head up that way,” Kennett head coach Andrew Webster said. Webster said he was shocked by the low score (the Blackcats won 6-0).

Kennett�s D�Shun Wilson pursues Rylan Fallert (22) of Valle Catholic while Fallert runs in the open field. The Warriors downed the Indians, 56-7. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

The Kennett-Herculaneum game will kick off at 7 p.m. Oct. 27, with the winner to face Park Hills Central (6-3) on Nov. 3. The Rebels have a first-round bye.

No. 2 Dexter (7-2, but only 40.66 playoff points) also received a first-round bye, with the Bearcats facing either Ste. Genevieve (6-3) or Fredericktown (2-7) Nov. 3, in the other half of the bracket.

If you were wondering, the distance between Kennett and Herculaneum is about 180 miles. So expect to be traveling for at least 270 minutes.

Kennett High School football player Je'Micko Toliver attempts to pressure Valle Catholic quarterback Grant Fallert (2) during a Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, game at Ste. Genevieve.(Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Both Kennett and Herculaneum have 4-5 records, and the Indians’ streak of consecutive winning seasons is now in major peril.

Playing Valle Catholic in last Friday’s regular-season finale provided the Indians with a test against one of the state’s most legendary programs.

“They have great kids and coaches, and it was a chance for us to get better,” Webster said.

Kennett's Chris Jefferson (40) attempts to shake a tackle during a Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, football game versus Valle Catholic in Ste. Genevieve. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Webster complimented Valle Catholic in every facet.

“Offensively, they played with different tempos and kept us off-balance,” the coach commented. “Defensively, they got off our blocks well. They just play harder than everyone else.”

Alex Viox opened the scoring on a 44-yard screen pass from Grant Fallert, and Valle Catholic was off and running to a 56-7 victory at Father John Dempsey Field — holding a 413-102 edge in total offense according to statistics from Daily Journal sports editor Matt King.

Kennett finished the game with only five first downs, including three in the second half while it was in “turbo” mode. Tyquavious Jones scored the Indians’ lone TD.

Alex Viox finished the game with 142 yards rushing. Grant Fallert was 11-of-16 passing for 192 yards. Fallert this season has thrown for 20 TD and no interceptions.

Complete statistics from the game will be available in the Thursday edition of the Delta Dunklin Democrat.

MALDEN OPENS WITH NMCC

Malden, fresh off of Friday’s 78-8 thrashing at Charles Bland Stadium in Dexter, will open Class 2 District 1 tournament play at New Madrid County Central Friday.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., in New Madrid. Malden’s losing skid currently stands at 22 games.

Quamareous Farmer figured in the Green Wave’s score on a TD run and two-point conversion pass to Amerious White. Then the Bearcats scored the game’s final 78 points.

Farmer later suffered an unspecified injury, and he reportedly won’t be available to play versus the Eagles.

The winner of the NMCC-Malden game will square off with either Scott City or East Prairie in the semifinals. Valle Catholic (8-1) awaits the victor of a game between Caruthersville and Kelly.

In another game of interest, Hayti (1-7) will open the Class 1 District 1 playoffs at Miller. That just happens to be 281 miles away according to Google Maps in what amounts to a 4:40 drive.

The winner of that game will play Marionville on Friday, Nov. 3. Other games in that bracket are Ash Grove at Cabool, Pierce City at Portageville and Charleston visiting Thayer.

Portageville is fresh off defeating New Madrid County Central 43-0 last Thursday in a game that didn’t live up to the hype.

Bulldog Jamarion Smith rushed for 435 yards and six TD, and Portageville’s defense proved very stingy.