PRESEASON SEMOBALL TOP 10: Class 1 lavish in local talent, dominating rankings

Welcome to the 2023 MSHSAA Football season. With no shortage of talent, the southeast Missouri region anticipates fielding a number of highly talented football teams this season, and with a number of unknowns left to discover, the rarified air of the late summer that blooms into fall weather has emerged.

With full transparency and much anticipation, we at Semoball.com have compiled a list of the top 10 teams in the area entering the 2023 high school football season. While not all may agree, we hope that at the very least we can spark discussion and create another outlet for our local players, coaches, parents and passionate fans to enjoy the sport that we all love.

So, for the first time this 2023 football season, we introduce you to the top 10 teams in the Semoball.com coverage area, with the first list of the season arriving ahead of week one – the Preseason Top 10.

Jackson's offensive line fights off the New Madrid County Central defense during a July 28, 2023 scrimmage between the Jackson Indians and the New Madrid County Central Eagles at Jackson Senior High School in Jackson, Missouri.Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

__No. 1: Jackson__

The Indians are no strangers to being the top overall team in the area, but the gap is closer than it’s been in many years. After a 6-4 season in 2022 and bowing out in the first game of the playoffs to archrival Poplar Bluff, Jackson parted ways with longtime head coach Brent Eckley. In turn, the hiring of Ryan Nesbitt has breathed new life into the program and has brought many new faces to the front of the team. Returning starting quarterback Adrian Fox, as well as maintaining a stout defensive line, Southeast Missouri State-commit Zane Coon at left tackle and bringing back a speedy receiving corps, Jackson looks prepared to defend its title as the top team in the area.

__No. 2: Cape Central__

For the first time since the mid-2010s and the tenure of Nathan Norman as head coach, Cape Central has established itself among the top few teams in the area and has even made a strong case for becoming the top dog. The Tigers trudged through four playoff wins, holding teams to two scores or less in all four wins before faltering in the semifinal to Fort Osage. With the return of junior Zai’Aire Thomas in the backfield and a strong cast of returning defensive standouts, Cape Central remains a dark horse to take the SEMO North championship this season.

__No. 3: New Madrid County Central__

It’s hard to look at the Eagles and say that they couldn’t compete with just about any team in the area. After finishing 9-2 in 2022 including dominant wins against Kennett, Dexter, Sikeston, Perryville and Portageville, the Eagles’ foothold on the bootheel remains strong. 2023 Semoball Male Athlete of the Year Jadis Jones, whose summer commitment to Sun Belt-standout Coastal Carolina became the highest-level commitment in southeast Missouri football since 2020, played a large part in the success of New Madrid County Central last year. His two-way dominance in the secondary as well as lining up at wide receiver could push the Eagles to new heights in 2023.

__No. 4: Poplar Bluff__

For the longest time, the Poplar Bluff fanbase stood by the team and swore that the team would rebound and exorcise its demons. After five years, the Mules finally took down Jackson in a 21-20 playoff win at “The Pit” to advance to the Class 5 District 1 championship game against Cape Central. Despite losing said matchup, the Mules carry the momentum of the win into the 2023 season and will join Cape Central as the second dark horse of the SEMO North conference that looks to undo Jackson’s streak of five consecutive conference championships. After all, the last time Jackson lost the conference championship, it was to the Mules in their 2017 undefeated regular season.

Two Portageville players battle during the August 14, 2023 Portageville midnight practice. Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

__No. 5: Portageville__

One of the closest teams to unseating New Madrid County Central in 2022 – Portageville. The Bulldogs are firmly in fifth place to begin the 2023 season, as the return of senior runningback Jamarion Smith looks to power the Portageville offense to a strong campaign. Finishing as a district champion last year, Portageville looks to build on a strong showing in 2022 as the Bulldogs enter the 2023 season ranked sixth in Class 1. If the Bulldogs can find themselves on the winning end of some of their shootout losses, such as 2022’s 48-38 loss to Scott City and a following 41-30 loss to New Madrid County Central, the ceiling for Portageville could stretch high – including contention for a state championship.

__No. 6: Scott City__

With the return of one of the best backfields in all of southeast Missouri, the Scott City Rams proved to be a shoo-in for a preseason top-10 ranking in the area. Once again, the Rams look to carry a strong offense into the playoffs and have plenty of talent to do so, with standout Mark Panagos returning at quarterback along with the skills of Tyson Underwood at runningback. After a disappointing end to the 2022 season, falling to Portageville by three points in the district playoffs, the Rams are looking to make moves in 2023.

__No. 7: St. Vincent__

It’s a golden era of St. Vincent football and Christian Schaaf looks to finally take the team to the promised land. While much remains uncertain about the changing landscape of the MSHSAA state playoffs, St. Vincent has a talent pool that can surely contend for a district championship, and after a disappointing finish to the season against a stout Charleston Bluejays squad, the Indians have one last chance to compete for a plaque with the talent of Schaaf under center.

Kennett linemen go head-to-head during a July 12, 2023 practice.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

__No 8: Kennett__

The Kennett Indians are no strangers to being listed among the top teams in the area, and despite slipping down to No. 8 in our area rankings, they’ll look to contend for a title of their own despite competing in a loaded SEMO South Conference this season. Ranked among one of the top teams in their conference, the Indians look to begin their season on a high note before entering a tough final four games. With a lighter first half of the schedule, perhaps Kennett can catch fire before the season’s end.

__No. 9: Charleston__

After one of the best seasons in recent history for the Charleston Bluejays, it’s high time for a reloading year. Finishing 8-3 and grabbing a runner-up finish to Portageville in their district, the Bluejays exorcised a number of demons last year while creating a bigger identity for Charleston Football. After defeating the Sikeston Bulldogs in the regular season finale, winning 32-14 for their first rivalry win in four years, the Bluejays are back and will look to continue their momentum in a tough SEMO West Conference, battling against Portageville and Scott City for title rights.

__No. 10: Dexter__

Rounding out the top 10 teams in the area, the Dexter Bearcats are coming off of a 4-6 season that saw them exit in the first round of the playoffs to regional powerhouse Ste. Genevieve. With the return of junior quarterback Jackson Howard, the Bearcats bring in an experienced roster that, under the direction of second-year coach Chad Jamerson, has plenty of potential to surprise in the 2023 campaign. With a first-week matchup against a tough Scott City team, Dexter has the potential to not only impress but surpass expectations and could prove to be a dangerous team as the season unfolds.

The 2023 Preseason Semoball Top 10, first published on August 21, 2023 by Semoball. Jackson High School headlines the list, finishing just above archrival Cape Central.Semoball.com