Pass attack triggers Central win

A 286-yard passing game by Mitch Craft countered a stagnant Central ground game Saturday and helped the Tigers escape Sumner 17-14 in a nonconference football game in St. Louis.

Craft was 17-of-27 for the Tigers (5-2), who trailed 14-3 early in the second quarter against Sumner (1-6) at the Gateway Tech field. Central ran for 44 yards, led by Craft's 19.

The Tigers, No. 4 in the SEMO Top 10 poll, climbed to 5-2 in time for Thursday's district opener against Sikeston at Houck Stadium.

Central was looking for an offensive spark and trailed 14-3 when Craft found Will Johnson for a 52-yard gain that put the Tigers inside the Sumner 20-yard line in the middle of the second quarter. Craft followed with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Mark Dunaway. Colin Scherman's kick cut Sumner's lead to 14-10.

A Sumner penalty late in the third turned a Central failed fourth-down pass play into an automatic first down, and two plays later Tyrone Reece took a 32-yard pass from Craft for a touchdown. Scherman's kick put Central up 17-14. Sumner had nine penalties in the game for 95 yards.

Scherman gave Central its first points in the first quarter on a 36-yard field goal. The kick came between two Sumner touchdowns, the first on a 29-yard run by Courtney Carroll and the second on a fake punt that turned into a 30-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Chad Williams to Alex Campbell.

Dunaway and Scott Brueckner had four catches apiece for Central. Johnson had three catches for 90 yards.

Hayti 47, Scott City 0

Hayti's Torey Nelson burned visiting Scott City for 260 yards and four touchdowns in the Indians' shutout Friday.

Nelson scored four of his team's six first-half touchdowns and pushed Hayti -- 5-1 and No. 7 in the SEMO Top 10 poll -- to a 40-0 halftime lead.

Luke McClellan, sacked five times by a tenacious Hayti defense, threw for 112 yards for the Rams (2-5). Matt Schaefer ran 23 times for 29 yards.

Malden 50, Chaffee 0

Malden scored 35 points in the first quarter and kept visiting Chaffee in a slump in Friday's meeting of previously winless teams.

The Green Wave (1-6) thrived on the ground and ran for 319 while passing only once. Malden led 41-0 at halftime.

Nick Powderly had 41 rushing yards for Chaffee, which was held to 77 yards of offense. Malden's Kyle Jones had five carries for 65 yards.

BOYS SOCCER

Notre Dame 1, St. Pius 1

Notre Dame played district rival St. Pius to a tie on the road.

The Bulldogs (9-8-2) struck first late in the first half with a goal from Jonathan Market. Market headed a cross from Jason Delgado past the keeper.

St. Pius scored its goal early in the second half. Brendan McMeel turned away six St. Pius shots in net for the Bulldogs.

CROSS COUNTRY

North County Meet

Notre Dame won both the boys and girls small school division at the North County Meet.

In the boys race, Notre Dame finished second behind Potosi in the overall team standings. Austin Critchlow finished ninth (17:48), Sam Montgomery was 10th (17:50), Matt Pfau 13th (18:01), Ryan Roggow 15th (18:03) and Greg Kanneberg 18th (18:32).

Other area medalists included Kelly teammates Michael Glastetter (14th) and Trey Simmons (16th) and Delta's Kevin Bartels (20th).

In the girls race, Notre Dame finished second in the overall standing behind Ste. Genevieve. Casey Crawford (15th) and Brooke Beussink (18th) were Notre Dame's only medalist.

Kelly also finished with two medalist with Emily Strobel (13th) and Amber Dirnberger (17th). The Hawks finished fourth overall.

Delta's top finisher was Angie Green in 27th.

VOLLEYBALL

Leopold 25-25, Meadow Heights 15-18

Leopold, No. 6 in the region, won the Mississippi Valley Conference Tournament title with a defeat of host Meadow Heights.

For the host Panthers (10-11-5), Chelsea Bollinger had four kills and Jenna Ellis three.

Meadow Heights won the JV title 21-25, 25-23, 15-5 over Zalma.

-- From staff reports