High school football: Getting back on track is the M.O. on HoCo

How does the Kennett High School football team bounce back from last Friday’s 40-32 loss to Caruthersville?

That’s the loaded question heading into this week’s Homecoming game versus East Prairie.

“We need better execution,” Kennett head coach Andrew Webster said. “I don’t know if we got tired (in the third quarter last week), but we lost our intensity in the third quarter.”

Kennett High School's Kevin Thompson, who is part of the Homecoming Court for Friday's game, has become a dependable, consistent player on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Indians. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Webster said, with a young team, it’s a matter of putting together four full quarters — something the Indians quite haven’t done this season.

East Prairie’s offense is similar to what Sikeston runs.

“They run a double wing with play action and motion,” Webster explained.

Offensive skill position players to watrch are Eagles running back Braylan Cade, Connor Marcum and Ty Wallace.

Defensively, East Prairie has shown a four-man front plus four linebackers and three in the secondary. They’ve been using a “Cover one” approach with their linebackers and defensive backs.

The Indian defense must perform better with the concept of team tackling.

Last week far too many times, only one or two Kennett players tried to bring down the Caruthersville ball carriers. Eventually, the Tigers rushed for more than 300 yards.

Still, Kennett has surrendered just 80 points in four games (20 per contest).

Webster said teams from around the Bootheel have shown betterment this season, and he mentioned East Prairie (1-3) as one of them — in the same vain as Caruthersville.

The Eagles defeated Charleston opening week, but they’ve lost three in a row including last week’s loss to Dexter 56-18. East Prairie has been outscored, 194-78.

Since it’s Homecoming week, Webster said it’s about the task at hand.

“We have to be focused on football,” the coach commented. “What’s Homecoming without the football game?”

On Friday, the Kennett School District will have a double ceremony commemorating Homecoming — one on the Dunklin County Courthouse square in the afternoon, and the other at halftime.

Five football players are part of the court: Kevin Thompson, Kaden Taylor, Chris Jefferson, Caleb Duncan and Carter Shewmaker.

Updating the season’s statistics, quarterback Ty Jones has passed for 577 yards with five TD and four INT. Marquiese Pittman has become the featured back (503 yards, 11 TD) and tight end Duncan (216 yards in receptions).

Duncan and Gattis are tied for tackles honors with 37 each.

THE DETAILS

Kennett Indians

Homecoming Night

Who: East Prairie at Kennett

What’s at stake: How do the Indians bounce back from last week’s loss to Caruthersville, and how do they keep Homecoming from being a distraction. Those are the big questions heading into the game.

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Metz Cherry Stadium

Admission prices: $4 for adults, $3 for students

Radio: KTMO 106.5 The Wolf

Last Time Out: The Indians defeated East Prairie at its place, 54-6, in 2022.