Portageville’s Jamarion Smith wins Carr Trophy

POPLAR BLUFF, MO. — Portageville’s Jamarion Smith, a point-producing phenom who outscored half of the SEMO Conference this season, was crowned the 2023 E.E. “Bus” Trophy winner at the 2023 Poplar Bluff Letter Club Gridiron Banquet on Wednesday, Nov. 29.

Smith’s explosive performances on the gridiron directly led Portageville to a remarkable 10-2 record and a conference championship title, while his rushing prowess yielded an astonishing 2,463 yards and a staggering 48 touchdowns, rewriting the SEMO Conference’s scoring record books and establishing himself as one of the most prolific scorers in state history, tying him for 13th place.

“It felt great hearing my name called, knowing all the work I’ve put in this offseason paid off,” Smith said. “It means a lot knowing I am up there with some of the great football players from around this area.”

Smith’s contributions extended beyond offense, as he also led the Portageville defense with 11 sacks, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to the team’s success.

His tireless dedication and all-around impact solidified his place among the greatest players in Portageville history, etching his name alongside legendary figure Joe Thomas, who won the award in 1992.

“[Smith] is a one-of-a-kind player and young man,” said Portageville coach Ian Penrod. He is as humble as any athlete and young man I have ever seen and only wants to play the game and win. There is no selfness or ego. He is special.”

Smith also won the Scoring Award for the SEMO-South.

Other finalists for the Carr Trophy were Jackson’s Adrian Fox and Scott City’s Mark Panagos, last season’s winner.

Poplar Bluff’s Logan Hite was named the Derland Moore Award winner.

The 5-foot-11 senior finished with 113 tackles, leading the league during the regular season.

Other finalists were Caruthersville’s Oscar Dominguez and Dexter’s Landon Weathers.

East Prairie junior Connor Marcum earned the Scoring Award for the SEMO-Central, while Cape Central’s Keyshawn Boyd received the award for the SEMO-North.

Portageville senior AJ Larry was named the Lineman of the Year for the SEMO-North, while Dexter’s Zane Coon and Weathers received the honor for the SEMO-North and SEMO-Central, respectively.

The Sam Giambelluca Lifetime Achievement Award was given to David Gilmore, who coached at Hayti and Caruthersville. The award is named after Giambelluca, who created the banquet as a high school student and organized it for over 60 years.

The coaches in each division select the All-SEMO team, while a committee of nine area officials determines the Carr Trophy and Derland Moore Award. The Carr Trophy was first presented in 1979, while the defensive award was added in 2011.

Portageville’s Ian Penrod was named the Coach of the Year for the SEMO-South, while New Madrid County Central Tyler Fullhart shared the honor with Dexter’s Chad Jamerson for the SEMO-Central.

Honored for their outstanding contributions on the field, here are the local athletes from the Sikeston Standard-Democrat’s coverage area who were recognized as all-conference players: Sikeston senior offensive lineman Hayden Hess (first-team SEMO-North), Sikeston senior linebacker Carter Goodman (first-team SEMO-North), Sikeston senior defensive back Trey Gorman (first-team SEMO-North), NMCC senior quarterback and defensive back BJ Williamson (first-team SEMO-Central), NMCC senior wide receiver Jadis Jones (first-team SEMO-Central), NMCC senior lineman Tayven Lyle (first-team SEMO-Central), NMCC junior lineman Zach Gamblin (first-team SEMO-Central), NMCC junior defensive lineman Connor Henderson (first-team SEMO-Central), NMCC senior linebacker Jason Jones (first-team SEMO-Central), NMCC senior linebacker Sa’Mir Smith (first-team SEMO-Central), NMCC senior defensive back AJ Ruff (first-team SEMO-Central), kely senior running back and linebacker Reece Eftink (first-team SEMO-South), Portageville’s running back and linebacker Jamarion Smith (first-team SEMO-South), Portageville senior wide receiver and defensive back Beau-Hunter Warren (first-team SEMO-South), Charleston senior tight end DeShaun Henderson (first-team SEMO-South), Portageville senior quarterback and linebacker Mason Adams (first-team SEMO-South), Charleston senior offensive lineman Charles David (first-team SEMO-South), Portageville senior offensive lineman Connor Jefferies (first-team SEMO-South), Portageville junior offensive lineman Owen Roberts (first-team SEMO-South), Charleston senior defensive lineman Zamarion Quinn (first-team SEMO-South), Portageville senior defensive lineman AJ Larry (first-team SEMO-South), Portageville senior defensive back Aaron Dunlap (first-team SEMO-South), Sikeston senior wide receiver Kayden Craig (second-team SEMO-North), Sikeston senior linebacker Andrew Green (second-team SEMO-North), Sikeston senior punter Bo Riddle (second-team SEMO-North), NMCC senuior running back Ty Williams (second-team SEMO-Central), East Prairie sophomore running back Tavion Ware (second-team SEMO-Central), East Prairie junior wide receiver and defensive back Connor Marcum (second-team SEMO-Central), NMCC junior offensive lineman Marvion Cranford (second-team SEMO-Central), East Prairie sophomore offensive lineman Isaiah Gephart (second-team SEMO-Central), East Prairie junior offensive lineman Mark Gammons (second-team SEMO-Central), NMCC junior defensive lineman Zach Gamblin (second-team SEMO-Central), East Prairie junior offensive lineman Cooper Oatsvall (second-team SEMO-Central), NMCC junior linebacker Slade Courtois (second-team SEMO-Central), NMCC junior defensive back Erik Tillmon (second-team SEMO-Central), Kelly junior quarterback Skylar Still (second-team SEMO-South), Kelly senior wide receiver Ethan Graham (second-team SEMO-South), Charleston sophomore offensive lineman MorTonion Hall (second-team SEMO-South), Charleston junior offensive and defensive lineman Keishundrau Orr (second-team SEMO-South), Portageville junior offensive lineman Jacob Altice (second-team SEMO-South), Portageville junior offensive lineman Zach Lovins (second-team SEMO-South), Portageville senior kick Carson Bradley (second-team SEMO-South), Kelly senior defensive lineman Gunther Peters (second-team SEMO-South), Charleston senior linebacker Zachyran Thomas (second-team SEMO-South), Portageville senior defensive lineman Connor Jefferies (second-team SEMO-South), Kelly junior defensive back Grant Burleson (second-team SEMO-South), Kelly junior defensive back Hunter Carlyle (second-team SEMO-South), Portageville junor defensive back Xayvion Bogan (second-team SEMO-South), Sikeston junior quarterback Luke Gadberry (honorable mention SEMO-North), East Prairie senior linebacker Braylan Cade (honorable mention SEMO-Central), East Prairie junior defensive back Tripp Shoemaker (honorable mention SEMO-Central), Kelly junior wide receiver Grant Burleson (honorable mention SEMO-South), Charleston senior quarterback Ko’Terrion Owens (honorable mention SEMO-South), Kelly junior linebacker Ryder Krauss (honorable mention SEMO-South), Portageville junior linebacker Huston Partin (honorable mention SEMO-South), and Kelly senior kicker Ethan Graham (honorable mention SEMO-South).