High school football: Kennett "O" line seeks maximum protection

They didn’t break a sweat last Friday night.

Who are they?

Well, it’s the Caruthersville High School football team, who earned a 13-0 forfeit over Doniphan, giving the Tigers their second win of the season.

This week, Caruthersville will sweat, and maybe a whole bucket's worth — facing a Kennett team the Tigers haven’t beaten since Sept. 9, 2016.

For Kennett head coach Andrew Webster, it all begins with fixing the Indian offensive line, after sophomore quarterback Ty (D.J.) Jones scurried for time to throw in last Friday’s 22-20 victory over Sikeston.

“We’re trying to get the ball out quicker,” Webster said, “and make sure our protections are better. It’s something the linemen have taken personally this week, and I did too.”

Jones started 5-for-5 on throws, Webster noted. But, the passer finished 6-for-17 as Sikeston amped up its pressure.

The Kennett offense finished with just 140 total yards, and many players ended the game in negative numbers.

Marquiese Pittman had the bulk of those yards.

This week, the Indians will face a Caruthersville squad that features many looks — a 4-4 stack and an odd-man front among them.

The Tigers have surrendered 69 points, 63 of them versus state-ranked Park Hills Central on Sept. 1.

The Tigers also like to mix up their coverages, seamlessly going from zone to man-to-man and back. Still, Kennett needs to get its offense back on track.

Looking at Caruthersville’s offense, the Tigers have used two different formations in an attempt to drive the ball down the field for points.

“Offensively, they’re a lot like Sikeston,” Webster said. “They’ve been in double-tight with misdirection. They’ve also run spread. They’re well-coached (on that side of the ball).

Caruthersville has totaled 86 points, which including a “60” spot in its steamy opening week rout of Malden.

Austin Gattis did a bit of everything to help Kennett beat Sikeston last Friday, including a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Kordiae Hunter and Gattis both finished with nine tackles.

So far this season, Kennett has stayed unbeaten thanks to winning the turnover battle, with a plus-7 mark. The Indian defense has recorded three interceptions and recovered eight fumbles.

Caruthersville’s most dynamic player to watch is Jermonte Alexander, a two-way player at both wide receiver and safety.

Alexander also has lined up in the backfield as seen on MaxPreps videos.

THE DETAILS

Kennett

Win in the four-cast?

Who: Caruthersville at Kennett

What’s at stake: The Indians, coming off a slim two-point win over Sikeston,

will look to keep its unblemished record intact with a win here.

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Metz Cherry Stadium, Kennett

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

Radio: KTMO 106.5 The Wolf

Last Time Out: The Indians ventured on the road to beat Caruthersville, 52-28.