SportsSeptember 10, 2023
Mistakes and penalties cost Sikeston in 22-20 loss to Kennett
SIKESTON — It was a cruel twist of fate as Sikeston came painfully close to snapping a 10-game losing streak and turning its season around, instead victory was snatched from the Bulldogs’ (0-3) fingertips, leaving the team with a brutal 22-20 loss to the Kennett Indians (3-0) at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium on Friday, September 8...
By Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat
SIKESTON — It was a cruel twist of fate as Sikeston came painfully close to snapping a 10-game losing streak and turning its season around, instead victory was snatched from the Bulldogs’ (0-3) fingertips, leaving the team with a brutal 22-20 loss to the Kennett Indians (3-0) at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium on Friday, September 8.
Despite a strong showing in most areas, costly turnovers (four lost fumbles) and penalties (17 for 106 yards) proved to be the Achilles heel that ultimately undermined Sikeston’s chances of victory.
“We can’t fumble the football that many times and expect to win,” said Sikeston coach Treston Pulley. “The effort was great and everyone really wanted this ballgame, it’s just that self-inflicted wounds put us in a hole. That’s really it.”
Although Pulley didn’t offer many words following the loss, the disappointment etched across his face spoke volumes. It was evident that despite his restrained response, the weight of the defeat weighed heavily upon him.
“I take ownership of the team’s performance,” he said. “I thought we had some positives and I see the growth in these kids.”
The game started with some early fireworks as Sikeston made a big tackle for a loss on the opening play from scrimmage and Kennett had a passing touchdown called back for holding on the opening drive.
The Bulldog’s Colt Parker later secured an interception at the 1-yard line, snuffing out the Indians’ drive and igniting a surge of momentum for Sikeston.
On the next drive, disaster struck as the Bulldogs lost their first fumble, foreshadowing a series of unfortunate events that would haunt them throughout the game.
With momentum slipping away, Kennett seized the opportunity, taking an 8-0 lead. Marquiese Pittman’s 10-yard touchdown run, coupled with a successful two-point conversion gave the Indians a 8-0 advantage with five minutes and 19 seconds left in the first quarter.
Overcoming potential drive-killing penalties, Keane Atkins spearheaded the charge with a 5-yard touchdown run off a direct snap, leveling the score at 8-8 with 2:22 left in the opening, following his successful two-point conversion.
Atkins also showcased his explosive playmaking ability on the drive with a 30-yard dash.
Sikeston’s defense came up big on the next drive, forcing a punt after a sack from Keodrick Sherrod forced Kennett into a third-and-long situation.
Both teams found themselves in an offensive stalemate on the subsequent two drives, resulting in back-to-back punts as neither side could gain traction.
However, a pivotal moment in the game arrived on the Bulldogs’ next possession, as the stadium erupted in a deafening roar when Luke Gadberry unleashed a thunderous 30-yard touchdown run. The electrifying play not only gave Sikeston a 14-8 lead with 7:46 left in the second quarter but also marked its first lead of the season, amplifying the significance of the moment for the team and its devoted fans
The Indians left the Bulldogs momentarily deflated with a swift response on the ensuing possession. With just under a minute elapsed, Pittman powered through for a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 14-14 with 6:55 until halftime.
“We doing a lot of the same things, but we have eight new guys on offense and nine new guys on defense,” said Kennett coach Andrew Webster. “We’re really young with only 16 total upperclassmen and being able to fight adversity is a learned behavior."
The rapid equalizer served as a reminder that the game was far from decided.
Unfortunately, Sikeston struggled to find its offensive rhythm for the remainder of the first half. The team faced setbacks with another lost fumble and was forced to punt twice. However, one of the punts, by seniorBo Riddle was an absolute bomb, sailing about 60 yards and pinning Kennett deep in its territory.
Despite struggling on offense, Sikeston demonstrated some exceptional defensive highlights late in the first half.
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Gadberry delivered a decisive tackle on fourth down to force a turnover on downs at the Sikeston 13-yard line, denying Kennett a scoring opportunity. Sherrod and Rasheed Abu Khudier also combined for a sack on third down to prompt a punt.
These drive-ending plays provided a much-needed boost amidst their offensive challenges.
Sikeston began the second half with some positive plays, including a 7-yard run by Gadberry to convert a fourth down, but another fumble ended the drive a short time later.
Sikeston’s relentless pressure, led by Sherrod, and a superb pass breakup by Trey Gorman resulted in another punt by the Indians.
Riding a wave of adrenaline, Gorman exploded into action on the punt return, leaving defenders behind with his lightning speed and elusive moves for a 64-yard return to the Kennett 6-yard line.
“[Gorman] was positive all night all,” Pulley said. “That kid played hard and was a lockdown corner over there. He’s well respected by his teammates for the things he can bring to the team.”
With 4:35 left in the third quarter, Sikeston punched it in with a 2-yard quarterback sneak by Kayden Craig to make it 20-14.
Both defenses tightened up, with Sikeston forcing two punts and a turnover of downs on Kennett’s next three drives. Sherrod and Darryl King made some critical defensive stops along the way.
However, the Bulldogs couldn’t capitalize on opportunities to extend their lead, leaving the door open for a potential comeback.
That potential comeback became a reality with an impressive punt return by Kylan Henson, positioning the Indians at the Sikeston 2-yard line.
“[Henson] had a tremendous impact on the game, making a big two, maybe three guys miss to set us up to take the lead,” Webster said. “I’m proud of his composure in that moment. It was a great display of athleticism and quick thinking.”
Pittman then delivered a short touchdown run, propelling Kennett to a 22-20 lead after a successful game-deciding two-point conversion run.
Except for the quarterback taking a knee on the game’s final plays, the Kennett coaching staff entrusted Pittman with the ball on every offensive play during the fourth quarter. Recognizing his impact and reliability, Pittman shouldered the responsibility of carrying the team’s offensive efforts throughout the crucial final quarter.
“[Pittman] has come a long way,” Webster said. “He’s waited patiently and worked hard to have this opportunity. I felt like he would make the most of it. It just forced our offensive linemen to have to make the blocks. There wasn’t any space, it was us versus them, and Pittman showed out.
“We jumped in our beast formation at the end and we were able to run the ball after that,” he added. “I was proud of the way we finished. We didn’t give up, that’s for sure.”
Pittman finished the game with 23 carries for 179 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bulldogs’ last opportunity fell agonizingly short on fourth down, just inches away.
Kennett expertly controlled the clock and ran out the remaining 3:37.
“I was really proud of our boys for continuing to fight and getting that big drive at the end,” Webster said.
Despite outgaining Kennett in total yardage 271-170, Sikeston’s chances were extremely married by the turnovers and penalties.
The Indians’ performance was far from mistake-free as the team committed 13 penalties for 100 yards.
“It was pretty bad offensively for three quarters,” Webster said. “We just couldn’t get much going and there was a lot of pressure on our quarterback. That part of the game wasn’t very good. It was out of the ordinary for us because we’ve been able to have some success keeping [our quarterback] upright and [Sikeston] was able to get to him.”
Excluding the setbacks caused by penalties and turnovers, Sikeston’s offense hit its stride and delivered its best performance of the season. Gadberry rushed 15 times for 95 yards, Atkins had 16 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown and Craig added six attempts for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Next Friday, Sikeston is set to face Farmington (3-1) at home, while Kennett will host Caruthersville (2-1).
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