Picking the next big team and big star is a big chore

Southeast Missourian

Much like last year's area prep football star Mario Whitney, the high school years are a fleeting thing.

It's all right there in front of you, but gone before you know it. A blur.

Whitney, who rushed for 2,782 yards his senior season, was the latest in a recent lineage of talent in the area, following other standouts like O.J. Turner of Cape Girardeau Central, Nathan Norman and Glen Brunke of Jackson, Britt Mirgaux of Scott City, Scott Pingel of St. Vincent, among just a few. In the stream of talent we find the ebb and flow that turns down years into up years, and which can reverse fortunes just as easily.

We've seen St. Vincent go from a down-trodden team of the '80's to a 1A powerhouse in the '90's, before showing signs of tailing off again last year. There's been the steady excellence of Jackson, but even that has been spiked by memorable years -- back-to-back Class 4 state title game appearances in the 90's and last year's 12-0 run that ended in the Class 5 semifinals.

Scott City has been one of the most consistent programs over the years, but struggled to a 3-7 record a year ago, its first losing season in six years. Central languished at 1-9 three years ago, but has reached the Class 4 quarterfinals the past two years.

Which raises the question, who or what is the next big thing in football in Southeast Missouri that will affect that ebb and flow.

A high tide seems to be emerging at Central High School, and at the heart of the swell is an athletic pair in Monroe Hicks and Jeremiah Dukes. After back-to-back 7-5 seasons, the Tigers, led by their two talented seniors, could be in for a dynamic season. Hicks earned first-team all-state honors at defensive back last season, but can be a game-breaker on either side of the ball. He will be used at running back and wide receiver this season. Dukes, stirring interest among major Division I schools, is also a double threat at fullback and linebacker. Complementing the pair is an experienced cast, which includes junior quarterback Mitch Craft, who demonstrated poise, leadership and athletic ability as a sophomore. It could be a big year for the Tigers.

There will be big things rumbling at Jackson and Scott City, where both schools converted nimble offensive linemen into power fullbacks.

After losing their speedster, Jackson is turning back the clock and will be daring teams to stop them with a more physical approach. Opponents will face the challenge of stopping the lumbering 260-pound fullback Justin Rollet, a senior who will be carrying the football for the first time since eighth grade. Rollet will also be opening holes for tailback Stuart McIntosh, who flashed his potential last season with a 177-yard game in the playoffs.

The Indians have only lost two regular-season games over the past three years, but will face a beefed-up schedule which is undoubtedly the toughest in school history. There are no breathers on Jackson's schedule, with four 2001 Class 5 district champions -- Rockwood Summit, Pattonville, Fort Zumwalt West, Parkway West -- added to the schedule. If the Indians can complete a 10-0 regular season like last year, they might not be stopped, period.

Scott City turned 190-pound guard Joe Brunner into a fullback, and he'll give the Rams a more physical presence along with running back Jerry Jackson. The Rams are looking to apply more brute force on opponents under first-year coach Jason Burkman, who turned a struggling program at Piggott, Ark., into a state playoff contender. While maybe still a year or two away, the Rams could surprise people and end a two-year district drought.

At Perryville, the Pirates are looking for a Central-type turnaround after a 2-8 season. The Pirates need offense after being shut out five times last season, and think they have the ingredients needed in junior running back Jesse Whistler, one of nine starters back on offense. With the line returning nearly intact, the Pirates are hoping for a break-out season by Whistler, who has more size and strength and two years of starting experience under his belt.

St. Vincent will be looking to re-establish itself as a Class 1 power after failing to make the playoffs in a 5-5 campaign. The Indians enjoyed a 13-1 season and played for the state title just two years ago. St. Vincent will be looking to regain its district throne from Hayti behind a defense led by Brad Renner and Dominic Richardet.

Which brings us to Chaffee, which has experienced more ebbing than flowing over the past 15 years. The Red Devils have not won more than three games in a season since going 6-4 in 1990. They'll be hoping to get in the flow with a passing attack led by senior Sam Burnett, who last played as a freshman. Burnett will be throwing to the heart of the Red Devil experience in returning receivers James Reischman, Nick Powderly and Brandon Davis.

As they say, a lot of teams look good on paper. Well, here's the paper. But to make sure, let's go ahead and play the games.

Jeff Breer is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.