Poplar Bluff falls to top-seed Farmington

HILLSBORO — The Poplar Bluff Mules had their historic season come to an end Tuesday as they fell to familiar foe Farmington in the Class 3 District 1 tournament semifinals at Hillsboro.

It was a close game throughout but it was the Knights that came out the victor as they scored on a set piece in the closing minutes of the game.

Poplar Bluff head coach Rusty Crafton said he saw exactly what he knew he’d see from his team on Tuesday even the much colder than normal conditions.

“They worked hard, they played together, played as a team,” he said. “I’m just proud of these guys. I told them, I hate that’s how we had our season end right there.

“That’s the nature of sports, that’s the nature of life. That’s not going to be your last defeat. We take it and we move on.”

Farmington got on the board inside of 10 minutes on a corner quick.

The Mules put their lone goal on the board with about 15 minutes left in the first half when Blaise Rowland scored yet another goal for PBHS this season.

The Mules end the year with 19 wins, the programs most in more than a lot of years.

Crafton said the team should be proud they were a part of the turnaround.

“It gives the confidence to the younger guys,” he said. Passing the torch down to these guys. Alex Bedell, Landon Deaton and these guys coming back, they’ll have to lead it now and I think it’ll inspire these younger guys. Got a great group coming up and I think we’ll be right back in the mix.”