ST. CINCENT CONTINUES IMPRESSIVE RULE IN ALL-STATE BALLOTING

A great team may be defined by a win-loss record, a playoff run, margin of victory, its heart or even its sportsmanship.

But when a team has twice as many all-staters as losses, that's a sure sign of splendor.

Such was the case for St. Vincent this season.

The Indians, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise downcast high school football season in Southeast Missouri, had three players named to the Class 1A All-State first team and another on the second team. The Indians also finished ranked third in the final Class 1A poll.

Scott City's David Enderle made the second team as a defensive back in 2A, while his teammate Wade Powers made the second team as an offensive lineman. Also in 2A, Malden's Brian Benford was named a first-team running back.

New Madrid County Central's Ricky Smith made first team as a running back in Class 3A. Chase Kennedy, a linebacker from Dexter, made the second team.

The Class 4A-5A lists will be released Wednesday.

For St. Vincent, kicker Derek Kutz, linebacker Josh Robinson and defensive back Cory Strattman were each given first-team honors, while offensive lineman Gabe Hotop was named to the second team.

This year's group at St. Vincent marked the second straight season with four all-staters. In the past two years, the Indians have lost three games and have had eight all-state performers.

"These kids deserve everything they get," said St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer. "I'm proud of them."

Kutz, just a junior, could have been the biggest impact-player on the team, which went to the state semifinals and finished the year at 11-2.

Kutz not only kicked 11 of 18 field goals and was a perfect 42 of 42 on extra-point attempts, but he also constantly put opponents in poor field position by knocking kickoffs through the end zone. The 5-foot-9 135-pound two-time all-stater kicked 28 of his 69 kickoffs through the end zone.

"What more can you say about him?," Sauer said. "He's not a very big kid, but he can kick the football."

Robinson, was the team's defensive leader, leading the team in tackles the past two years. This year he had 68 solo tackles and 38 assists.

"Josh took the signals from the sideline," Sauer said. "And whenever I'd fall asleep and get preoccupied, he'd call it himself. He's just a great kid who took responsibility."

Strattman, a 5-9, 165-pound senior, was one of the best athletes on the team.

"He's an all-around good athlete," said Sauer. " He could've played any position."

From the defensive backfield, he posted 32 tackles and 23 assists. He picked off five passes, including one which was a game-saver in the end zone against Greenfield in the state quarterfinals. Strattman also ran back one punt and one kickoff for touchdowns.

"He came up with big plays week in and week out," said Sauer.

Hotop earned all-state honors despite not starting on the offensive line at the beginning of the year. Also a solid defensive player, Hotop took over the center position after an injury to the original starter.

"He came in and picked it up and did a great job of playing both ways for us," said Sauer.

For Scott City, Enderle and Powers were both named to the second team.

Scott City advanced to the state quarterfinals and ended up No. 9 in the final Class 2A poll.

Enderle ended up with 64 solo tackles, 36 assists and seven interceptions. He also broke up 10 passes and forced three fumbles.

"Enderle was the Mr. Nice Guy' and was soft spoken," said Scott City coach Roy Williams of his strong safety. "He led by totally what he did. He never backed off.

"Powers was no doubt our No. 1 lineman. Very few people wanted to go against Wade in practice more than two times. He's one of the fiercest small linemen that I've ever seen. He's a nice guy in school, but as soon as he puts the helmet on, he's a different animal."

New Madrid, which finished the season with a 10-2 record, was ranked No. 10 in the final Class 3A poll.