In the end, the Mules really were stubborn

It took a while, but the high school football Game of the Year in Southeast Missouri apparently lived up to its billing after all.

As I spent my Friday night in a thick fog at Scott City watching -- barely, because of that fog -- Charleston wrap up the Class 2A, District 2 title by mauling the Rams 44-0, one ear was tuned in to a cheap transistor radio that was barely audible because of some faulty batteries.

But I was able to hear enough of the contest that had just about every Southeast Missouri prep football fan's attention -- the titanic Class 5A, District 1 title matchup between Poplar Bluff and host Jackson.

After spotting Bluff a quick 6-0 lead, Jackson roared back to go up 27-6 at halftime and led 34-14 midway through the third quarter. At that point, it looked like the anticipated showdown was going to fall way short of expectations.

A furious rally by the Mules, however, made sure that the game would be a thriller after all. The Indians were finally able to hang on for a 34-28 victory.

So Jackson -- and super running back Mario Whitney, who gained an eye-popping 319 yards against what was considered a very good defense -- will head into Wednesday's sectional round with a perfect record.

Joining the Indians in the playoffs will be Cape Central's Tigers, who closed fast for the second straight season to claim 4A, District 1 honors.

The Indians and Tigers will both be hosting sectional games, which should make for plenty of excitement in Cape Girardeau County.

Along with Charleston, other playoff teams from Southeast Missouri are New Madrid County Central (3A), Portageville (2A) and Hayti (1A), which also put together a perfect regular season.

Here's wishing the best to all the region's teams as the postseason begins. Southeast Missouri generally doesn't receive much respect around the state when it comes to prep football and making some noise in the playoffs is the only way to change that.

Still on the subject of high school football, forgive me for bragging a bit, but I finally won another Southeast Missourian Weekly Media Grid Picks title after several years of coming up short.

A strong last few weeks allowed me to come from behind and prevail decisively in the competition that ended with the conclusion of the regular prep season.

My final record was 82-18, with Bob Miller and Jeff Brightwell tying for second at 79-21.

Jeff Breer and Erik Sean tied for fourth at 77-23 while Steve Sotak brought up the rear at 75-25.

Let's hope everybody has as much fun with the light-hearted competition as we media members do.

And above all, never take the picks too seriously.

Congratulations to the Notre Dame High School volleyball team for a sensational season that resulted in the program's first-ever trip to the state's final four.

I wasn't rooting for either team in the World Series, but if you're human, you have to feel bad for Arizona reliever Byung-Hyun Kim. What a rough two days he had Wednesday and Thursday.

He might not be quite the same Michael Jordan as we remember, but M.J. has shown in his first few games back that he's still pretty darn good

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.