New Madrid offense missing a 'big part' with injured stud runner

DEXTER – Even though New Madrid County Central stud running back Kayden Minner didn’t play a snap in the Eagles’ 38-27 win at Dexter on Friday, his fingerprints – or lack thereof – were all over the game.

Class 2 No. 12-ranked New Madrid improved to 3-0 with the win, but the execution wasn’t as crisp as one would think from a program that has won 27 of its last 36 games.

“As coaches,” veteran Eagle coach Tyler Fullhart said, “we’re going to have to sit down and figure out what can we do.”

Though New Madrid County Central appeared dominant in many facets of play throughout the night, including building a 26-0 first-quarter lead, it also struggled in an array of areas.

The Eagles scored six touchdowns yet could only convert on one of their extra point attempts, which were all run or pass attempts.

“I think (the missed extra points) are a testament to how good Kayden Minner is,” Fullhart said. “He is a big part of what we are able to do.”

The senior runner left the Week 2 win over East Prairie near the end of the third quarter with a knee injury after “landing funny,” according to Fullhart. Despite not playing in the last five quarters, Minner has still amassed 423 yards rushing and scored seven times in seven quarters of play.

He has averaged an astonishing 14.4 yards per carry.

His absence was not only felt on extra points but inside the red zone, as well.

On three occasions, the Eagles advanced the ball offensively inside the Bearcat five-yard line, only to come away with no points.

On one occasion, New Madrid fumbled the ball away while on two other opportunities, the Dexter defense was able to make stops and take over possession.

“Not having him at running back,” Fullhart lamented, “he is, in my opinion, he is without a doubt, and it’s not even close, the best running back in the area.”

Another sign that the Eagles missed having the experience and talent of Minner was the fact that New Madrid County Central athletes fumbled the ball four times and lost a couple of those drops.

“Kayden was an all-state player last year,” Fullhart continued. “The kid can do amazing things. You just don’t realize that until he is not back there.”

The New Madrid County Central offense produced 26 points in the opening 9:49 of the game, only to be limited to 12 points over the final 40:11.

“As coaches,” Fullhart said, “we need to sit down and figure out what can we do to make (the offense) a little bit more efficient.

“(Losing Minner) was a big blow. He seems like he is doing OK, and we are still waiting to hear back on some things (about the injury). We are trying to stay positive.”

Fullhart doesn’t want to see any Eagle players injured, but his heart especially goes out to Minner, because this is his final season with the program.

“We’re hoping and praying that it will work out well for him,” Fullhart said. “Not just for our team, but for him, because he is a senior. He is a phenomenal football player, and it is fun to watch him play.”

The Eagles are scheduled to visit Doniphan on Friday at 7 p.m. However, the Dons forfeited last week’s game against Caruthersville, so it is not known at this time whether this week’s game will actually be played or not.