HIGH SCHOOL: ST. VINCENT'S KUTZ REPEATS ON CLASS 1A FIRST TEAM

For the third straight year, St. Vincent senior kicker Derek Kutz has been named to the Class 1A all-state team, which was released today.

Kutz was the only player in the immediate area to be named first team in classes 1A-3A. The 4A and 5A all-state lists will be released Thursday.

Kutz, who has not missed an extra point in 90 attempts during the last two years and made 10 of his 12 field-goal attempts this season, was one of four St. Vincent players to be named either first or second team.

St. Vincent, the state runner-up in 1A, also had senior end Ryan Brown, senior linebacker Nathan Thomas and senior offensive lineman Joey Guth make the second team.

St. Vincent finished the year 13-1, losing to Alma Santa Fe 12-0 in the championship game at the TransWorld Dome in St. Louis. The Indians finished second in the final state poll.

Hayti got junior running back Ortiz Banks and junior offensive lineman Patrick Johnson on the second team. Despite going 9-2 and giving St. Vincent its toughest game until the state final, Hayti did not crack the state's final Top 10.

New Madrid County Central, which made it to the state quarterfinals in Class 3A before being upset by Festus, was represented twice on the all-state team. Offensive tackle T.J. Sides was named first team and running back Dereke Tipler was given second-team honors.

In 2A, running back John Mathews made the second team for Malden, which advanced to the quarterfinals.

A complete list of the Class 1A-3A all-state teams and final rankings can be found in Scoreboard on 2B.