High school football: Here comes Jadis Jones, Kennett

NEW MADRID — The New Madrid County Central High School football team has become a powerhouse in recent years.

The Eagles have produced a winning record every season since 2019, and this year’s group is off to an unblemished 5-0 start.

“They have a great program,” Kennett head coach Andrew Webster noted. “They have great athletes and great coaches. We’re trying to compete with them.”

New Madrid County's Jadis Jones stands on the sidelines during a 2022 regular season football game versus Doniphan. Jones has scored TD on roughly 40 percent of his receptions in 2023, a wildly entertaining statistic. (File photo by Jill Bock/Sikeston Standard-Democrat)

NMCC has been the SEMO Conference Central Division title holder the past few seasons — an achievement Kennett aspires to.

Jadis Jones is at the top.

Jones was a first-team all-state wide receiver during the 2022 season, and has committed to NCAA Division I Coastal Carolina. He also was Class 3 state boys basketball player of the year.

In early July, Jones made it official with the tag line “Beach Boy,” while wearing teal sunglasses and drawing the praise of his head coach Tyler Fullhart.

Jones is averaging 19.4 yards per reception, and he’s scored TD on catches more than 40 percent of the time — a wildly exciting statistic provided by Brian Rosener.

Webster also complimented running back Kayden Minner (30 rushes for 423 yards and 10 TD in his first four games) and B.J. Williamson (quarterback).

NMCC will operate mainly a spread offense. However, there have been occasions this season the Eagles have run a double-tight or Wing-T formation.

“They have the ability to jump to other formations, and styles,” Webster said.

The Eagles also are balanced, thanks to have such an arsenal of athletes.

That means Kennett inside linebacker Austin Gattis will have his hands full with the Eagle attack. So far this season, Gattis has been more than up for the challenge.

Gattis is one of southeast Missouri’s leaders on defense — with 45 tackles (including 23 for negative yardage), four quarterback sacks, five forced fumbles and four recoveries.

“We weren’t sure he was going to be out there for us (this season),” Webster said of Gattis. “But, he’s earned his spot, and someone we can count on.”

Gattis — along with Kaden Taylor, Chris Jefferson, Caleb Duncan and Je’Micko

Toliver — is a reason why Kennett has won the turnover battle during the 2023 campaign.

Webster hopes the Indians can execute better earlier in games, so they don’t have to be as “clutch” as they were in victories over Sikeston (22-20) and East Prairie (36-30).

Look for Ashton Dismukes to get more touches on offense this week and fans also will see more from Marquiese Pittman on defense at safety.

NMCC’s defense has been up to the task the past two games, not allowing a single point in eight-plus quarters, which resulted in shutout conquests of Doniphan (Sept. 15) and Caruthersville (Sept. 22).

Kennett’s last win in the series came in 2020 as the Indians topped NMCC 43-25. The match-up has been fairly even in recent years (7-6 record for Kennett since 2010).

DETAILS

KENNETT INDIANS

Another week, another Eagle

Who: Kennett at New Madrid County Central

What’s at stake: The Indians will look to play a competitive game against undefeated New Madrid County Central.

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Eagle Stadium, New Madrid

Admission prices: $3 for adults, $2 for students and senior citizens aged 65 on up.

Radio: KTMO 106.5 The Wolf

Last Time Out: New Madrid hung 60 points on Kennett in a 32-point victory at Metz Cherry Stadium, turning the 2022 Indian Homecoming sour.