SCOTT CITY, ST. VINCENT HAUL IN STATE HONORS

For Wed. paper (with St. Vincent group photo, mugs of Scott City's Steven Thomas (ran Oct. 8) and Matt Underwood (ran Nov. 12)

Needs one bullet

Scott City, St. Vincent haul in state honors

SUM: Two schools combine for eight all-state players.

By Marty Mishow

St. Vincent and Scott City both had outstanding high school football seasons this year, the Indians advancing to the Class 1A state championship game and the Rams making the Class 2A quarterfinals.

And both programs have been rewarded with several all-state selections as determined by the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. The 1A through 3A all-state squads were released today, with the 4A and 5A teams to come out on Thursday.

Four St. Vincent players -- running back Bryan Meyer, kicker Derek Kutz, defensive back Dusty Cattoor and linebacker Aaron Unterreiner -- were all named to the 1A first team.

Two Scott City players, running back Matt Underwood and linebacker Steven Thomas, were selected to the 2A first team. And two more Rams, offensive lineman John Wipfler and defensive back Brandon Amick, earned second-team honors.

"I'm really proud of these guys and they are all very deserving," said St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer, whose squad lost to North Platte in the 1A championship game to wind up with a 13-1 record. "These kids deserve everything they get. They and all our other players worked extremely hard to get to the point we were at this year."

Said Scott City coach Terry Flannigan, whose team finished 10-2 after a loss to Lutheran North in the 2A quarterfinals, "It's great that these kids were recognized. They've worked so hard and they're such good team leaders. I can't say enough about them."

Meyer, a senior, was not very big at 5-feet-7 and 145 pounds. But his speed and elusiveness made him tough to catch. He rushed for 1,533 yards on 204 carries (7.5 average) and scored 22 touchdowns.

"Bryan was our big offensive weapon," said Sauer. "He did a lot for us, returning punts and kickoffs as well as being such a good running back."

Kutz (5-9, 131) is just a sophomore but he was a major weapon for the Indians with his leg, booting seven field goals, including a long of 43 yards. He also had a 42-yarder.

"Derek had some really big kicks for us," Sauer said. "And he'll just get better."

Cattoor (5-10, 164, senior) intercepted seven passes, recovered a fumble and was in on 128 total tackles from the secondary.

"Dusty really stepped up and became a leader for us," said Sauer.

Unterreiner (5-10, 170, senior) had 141 total tackles, including five quarterback sacks, and he recovered three fumbles.

"Aaron had a great season and a great career for us," Sauer said.

The Indians wound up third in the final 1A state poll.

Underwood (6-1, 175, junior) had a sensational season for the Rams. The speedster rushed for 1,884 yards on 237 carries (7.9 average) and scored 30 touchdowns. He added 101 yards on nine receptions.

"Matt really came on for us this year," said Flannigan. "He started out well and really hit it hard about the middle of the season. And it's great we'll have him for another year."

Thomas (5-10, 207, senior) was a three-year starter and one of the area's steadiest linebackers during that time. He had 117 total tackles this season, including 73 solo stops, and had nine tackles for loss. He also intercepted a pass and scored a touchdown.

"Steven was our leading tackler for the past three years," Flannigan said. "He's just a steady, hard-nosed, tough kid who did a great job. He was always around the ball."

Wipfler (6-3, 226, senior) was, according to Flannigan, the Rams' top offensive lineman and one of the players who opened many of the holes that Underwood ran through. He was also a standout defensive lineman, with four sacks.

"John was by far our best offensive lineman," said Flannigan. "And this was only his fourth year of football ever. He never played junior high or little league. He just really came on for us."

Amick (6-0, 149, senior) intercepted eight passes and broke up five more while scoring three defensive touchdowns. He also was the Rams' leading receiver on offense with 29 catches for 521 yards and five more touchdowns.

"Brandon made so many big plays for us," said Flannigan. "And he had several more touchdowns on returns that were called back by penalties."

The Rams finished fifth in the final 2A state poll.

* Ste. Genevieve, which lost in the 3A semifinals, had two all-state selections: first-team linebacker Ryan Brewer and second-team defensive lineman Jared Kertz. The Dragons finished fourth in the final poll.

Malden defensive lineman Jon Samons was a second-team pick in 2A.