NMCC thunderclaps Kennett, roaring to 54-6 win

NEW MADRID, Mo. — In a clash that left no room for doubt, New Madrid County Central stamped its authority on the field, decimating Kennett with an overwhelming 54-6 triumph.

Quarterback BJ Williamson accounted for six touchdowns in the victory, as the Eagles (6-0) clinched a third consecutive SEMO-Central Conference Championship with the win over the Indians (4-2).

“Our guys were ready,” said NMCC coach Tyler Fullhart. “I’m proud of the way they came out. They were focused and attacked. They were relentless until the last second and that was the key for us tonight.”

NMCC's Ty Williams (1) runs�during a 54-6 win over Kennett�at NMCC High School on Friday, September 29.��Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

NMCC scored about two minutes into the game when Williamson found Jadis Jones streaking past a defender down the left sideline on a fly route for a 67-yard touchdown strike.

The Eagles forced a punt on the next drive and extended the lead to 14-0 after Williamson connected with AJ Ruff for an 18-yard touchdown pass with three minutes and 43 seconds left in the first quarter.

“We knew that the box was going to be pretty heavy and our receivers would have to make plays,” Fullhart said. “Our quarterback made good throws. All in all, it was a good performance.

NMCC's BJ Williamson (5) breaks a tackle�during a 54-6 win over Kennett�at NMCC High School on Friday, September 29.��Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“It’s nice having the playmakers and offensive line that we have,” he continued. “They clicked tonight and were on the same page with each other.”

NMCC forced a turnover on downs after Conner Henderson and Samir Smith each made tackles for losses on the ensuing drive.

A few moments later, Williamson galloped into the end zone on a 14-yard touchdown run to widen the lead to 20-0.

NMCC's AJ Ruff (20) catches a touchdown�during a 54-6 win over Kennett�at NMCC High School on Friday, September 29.��Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“[Williamson] makes calling plays a little easier,” Fullhart said. “He’s been fun to coach because he is such a smart and good kid. He understands the offense, what we’re trying to do and what the defense is giving him.”

Kennett’s lone score on the game came with 9:46 left until halftime when Marquiese Pittman broke free for a 58-yard touchdown sprint. However, the Eagles answered with a 3-yard touchdown run by Ty Williams and a 15-yard touchdown pass from Williamson to Jones to increase the lead to 34-7 at halftime.

Williamson extended the lead to 41-6 and inflicted the running clock on a 36-yard touchdown run with 8:46 left in the third quarter.

NMCC's Charlie Ressono (21) runs during a 54-6 win over Kennett�at NMCC High School on Friday, September 29.��Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Williamson and Jones continued to showcase their undeniable chemistry, connecting for their third touchdown of the night. Despite a pass inference penalty, Jones exhibited exceptional skills, hauling in the one-yard touchdown on a jump ball that Williamson delivered with precision. This scoring play made it 48-6 with 2:41 left in the third quarter.

NMCC’s final touchdown materialized as an errant snap sailed over Kennett’s quarterback, leaving the ball up for grabs. Seizing the opportunity, AJ Ruff displayed lightning-fast reflexes, snatching the loose ball off the grass and dashing approximately 30 yards to the end zone.

“[The defense] was all over the place,” Fullhart said. “They were filling gaps and holes, coming downhill and wrapping up, gang tackling and going for turnovers. It was a really good night defensively. We’ve been playing great on defense and I hope we can continue that.”

NMCC's Rel Newsome (3) returns a kickoff�during a 54-6 win over Kennett�at NMCC High School on Friday, September 29.��Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

With this resounding victory, NMCC not only asserted its dominance over Kennett but also secured its illustrious third consecutive SEMO-Central Conference title.

“It means a lot,” Fullhart said. “It was one of our goals and it’s a tough conference. Staying on top is the goal every year, and I’m proud to be able to do that.”

Penalties plagued both teams throughout the game, resulting in a significant accumulation of about 100 yards for each team.

“Dumb penalties are dumb penalties and we’ll try to clean those up,” Fullhart said. “But I’m never going to be upset with our guys playing aggressively. Penalties are going to happen. Can we overcome them is the question. Obviously, we want to clean them up but we just have to keep overcoming the obstacles.”

NMCC showed off its offensive prowess by outgaining Kennett in total yardage 397 to 163, highlighting the stark contrast in performance between the two teams.

Williamson finished 6-of-11 for 150 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns on nine attempts.

Jones finished with four receptions for 103 yards and three touchdowns and Williams rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

Pittman was the Indians’ top performer, running 23 times for 133 yards and a touchdown.

“Kennett is a good young team and they have good coaches over there,” Fullhart concluded. “They’ve had a real good program and a strong tradition, and we knew they would come in and give us their all, so we just tried to have the team ready for that.”

Next Friday, NMCC will host Perryville (3-2) for homecoming, while Kennett will play Dexter (5-1) at home for Senior Night.