High school football: Kennett prepares for Mules’ passing attack

POPLAR BLUFF — One of the toughest challenges a football team faces during a given season is facing an opponent from a larger classification.

That will be on display this coming Friday as Class 3 Kennett travels to take on Class 5 Poplar Bluff at Mules Stadium.

According to information gleaned on the Missouri State High School Activities Association website, a Class 5 school can feature 907-1,276 students. Class 3 schools typically field 311-511 students.

Poplar Bluff�s Logan Hite and Darius Graham, both photographed in this game from the 2022 regular season, are two featured athletes the Kennett football team must concern itself with as the Indians clash with the Mules on Friday, Oct. 13.(File photo by Brian Rosener, DAR staff)

“It’s tough taking on a significantly larger school,” Kennett head football coach Andrew Webster said. “But, we are looking forward to the challenge, and a chance to get better.”

With more students, a school district typically can find a higher level of athlete.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

In just one week’s time, the Indian defense will go from facing Dexter’s Wing-T to the Mules’ spread formation — it’s like coming back from the past in a DeLorean, pardon the “Back To The Future” reference.

The Mules have the dynamic one-two pass receiving combination of Romeoh Wantor and Darius Graham, both of whom rank high in statistics provided by semoball.com bookkeeper Brian Rosener.

In the first six games of the season, Wontor caught 526 yards in receptions and four TD. Wontor has scored TD on a catch about 11 percent of the time. Teammate Darius Graham also had more than 400 yards in catches.

Jay Edmundson is the signal caller (through six games, 93-for-147 passing, 1,041 yards, nine TD).

“We’re going to have to be aware of what’s going on,” Webster said. “Their pass game is pretty good.”

While Wontor and Graham are talented players, both of them aren’t in the same area code as future Coastal Carolina and current New Madrid County Central wideout Jadis Jones — whom the Indians faced in Week Six.

Meanwhile, linebacker Logan Hite spearheads the Poplar Bluff defense. Hite is a talented multi-sport athlete who also flourishes on the wrestling mat as a multi-time state qualifier.

“He makes great reads and he’s hyper aggressive,” said Webster, who’s seen Hite during wrestling season as well since he’s Kennett’s assistant coach. “He’s everything you want in a linebacker.”

Hite registered 79 tackles and recovered a fumble in the Mules first six contests.

Poplar Bluff (4-3) has a big defensive line, and Webster noted the team runs mainly a four-front alignment.

Overall, the Mules have slightly outscored opponents, 180-177. That’s very much like Kennett, which has a 201-192 scoring edge.

Webster said Kennett (4-3) needs to execute better on offense, coming off a week in which the Indians scored only 14 points versus Dexter.

Tyquavious (D.J.) Jones was 7-of-18 for 100 yards and one TD. Marquiesse Pittman and Kylan Henson combined for 83 rushing yards. Jack Morrison was the Indians’ leading receiver with four catches for 41 yards.

In the loss to Dexter, Caleb Duncan was Kennett’s leading tackler with nine (including three for negative yardage, a quarterback sack and a pass defensed). Je’Micko Toliver recorded eight tackles (two for losses). Austin Gattis also had a strong game with seven tackles and a fumble recovery — rounding out the Indians top numbers.