Portageville wins fourth consecutive rustmedia Best Fans Award

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Portageville High School clinched the prestigious rustmedia Best Fans Award for the fourth consecutive year at the 2023 Semoball Awards held on Friday, July 14, at LaCriox Church.

The winner was determined through a voting process that received more than 15,000 total votes from schools across the Semoball coverage area. Portageville secured 18.8 percent of the votes, surpassing the other finalists: Senath-Hornersville (6.6 percent), Saxony Lutheran (5.8 percent), Oak Ridge (2.8 percent) and Doniphan (2.3 percent).

“It feels amazing to have such a supporting fan base,” said Portageville boys’ basketball coach Tj Smith. “The energy the crowd brings always gives the players a boost. The best thing about this is it’s not just the student section. The community shows up for these kids as well. There is a lot of love for Portageville. Our students truly love our school and its programs. They love showing up and cheering on all of our sports programs. This love goes on even beyond graduation. We always have alumni in the stands along with everyone else in the community.”

Portageville fans cheer on the team�during the Bulldogs' 72-20 win at East Prairie on Friday, Sep. 9.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

The atmosphere around Bulldog athletics is nothing short of electric, with anticipation and excitement filling the air.

“The energy the crowd brings is insane,” Smith said. “Speaking for basketball; once the Dog Pound gets up and rowdy it turns our kids up another level. All of the players want to compete at a high level to not let our fans down. We as coaches love and appreciate all of the support we get throughout the year. I can’t even begin to explain the benefit the crowd brings. This award is for you. The Dog Pound, the parents, the alumni, everyone that comes in and supports us as we go through the season.

“This is an award we love winning,” he continued. “It rewards our fans for all of their hard work. They come out year-round supporting all of the programs. We challenge them every year to not be the group that lets this award slip out of our hands.”

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

The MSHSAA Class 3 Sectional between Portageville and Scott City had a large turnout from fans�at Meatte Park in Portageville, Missouri on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.Rod Anderson/Standard-Democrat

The fervor and passion that swept through Portageville extended far beyond the basketball court, permeating every aspect of the school’s athletic program.

Portageville emerged victorious as district champions in a multitude of sports throughout the year. From the gridiron to the volleyball court, from girls’ basketball to the baseball diamond, the Bulldogs’ athletes showcased their unmatchable canine-like tenacity.

Portageville cheerleaders celebrate a touchdown�during the Bulldogs' 72-20 win at East Prairie on Friday, Sep. 9.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Portageville cheerleaders and student section cheers on the Lady Bulldogs during a 61-25 win over Woodland in a MSHSAA Class 3 Sectional at the Sikeston Fieldhouse on Monday, Feb. 28. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“It is great to see our kids supporting each other in everything they do and the community supporting them as well,” said Portagevile girls’ basketball coach Kellye Fowler. “Having a crowd of people cheering you on and celebrating your success with you is a special thing. it’s even more special when it’s the people who have watched you grow and have grown up alongside you. I got to experience it as a player and I love getting to see my players experience it as well. We take pride in having the best fans. And our students and fans are going to want to continue to do better and do what it takes to keep winning.

“I would just like to say thank you,” she continued. “Thank you for the support of our programs this year from the Dawg Pound and our community. As a girl's coach, we haven’t always had the same fan base that our boys have had. But this year with the success we had in our girls programs across the board, we got to see that fan base grow. Their support gave us the extra boost we needed especially during the postseason. I hope we continue to see that type of support in the future. It does make a difference and the athletes love playing in front of such a fun crowd.”

Portageville fans celebrate following�an 8-4 win over West County in a MSHSAA Class Quarterfinal at Meatte Park in Portageville, Missouri on Thursday, May 25, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Previous winners include:

2022 – Portagevillle

2021 – Portageville

2020 – Portageville

2019 – Poplar Bluff

2018 – Neelyville

2017 – Bloomfield

2016 – Bloomfield

2015 – Puxico

2014 – Poplar Bluff