The early bird gets his due

In darkness each summer morning Jackson senior Joel Penrod would make his way to the gym to prepare for the upcoming football season.

Despite devoting much of his time to the Jackson American Legion baseball team, Penrod continued to lift and build strength. All of those early mornings paid off for Penrod, as he earned all-conference honors at three different positions.

Penrod pounded out more than 1,000 yards rushing this season, was one of the area's top punters, helped lead the area's top linebacking corps and even kicked off at times during the season.

The Jackson senior's iron-man efforts helped Penrod earn this year's Southeast Missourian Player of the Year honors.

Penrod said the time he spent in the weight room was a big part of his success, even if it was difficult to get there some mornings.

"Most times when I got to the weight room I was happy I made it there," he said. "When I lifted I felt like I'd done something that day."

Added Jackson coach Carl Gross: "He probably ought to be a 150, 155 pound kid, but because of his hard work in the weight room and being careful with what he eats he's around 200 pounds, and he's solid as a brick."

After alternating feature backs last year, Penrod quickly cemented himself as the top running back option this season. In week two, Penrod carried the ball 38 times for 190 yards in a win over Roosevelt.

"The thing I just admire in him is he'd carry the ball 35 times and still want the football," Gross said.

Penrod saved his best for last, using a 217-yard effort against Seckman to pass the 1,000-yard plateau for the season. In the season finale, Penrod rushed the ball 35 times.

Overall, the 5-foot-11 senior rushed the ball 237 times for a 4.6 yard-per-carry average. Penrod led the SEMO North Division in scoring with 18 touchdowns and 112 points overall.

"I really surprised myself," Penrod said. "I didn't think I'd do that good. I thought I'd do OK. I thought I'd be starting running back; I told myself I would."

Even with his improved quickness, Penrod often seemed to be more than willing to run over defenders rather than run around them. Penrod gave out more than his fair share of licks during the season, and it typically took more than the initial hit to bring him down.

"I really enjoyed people coming after me when I had the football. It's awesome," Penrod said. "I got two or three big licks in as an offensive player."

Added Gross: "One thing Joel Penrod understood is the fastest way to the goal line is a straight line."

Penrod's accomplishments at running back alone were impressive, but when combined with his play at linebacker and punter it makes it even more amazing. During the course of a game Penrod rarely left the field, and whenever the offensive or defensive unit was on the field he rarely escaped contact.

If it were up to Penrod he would not have left the field at all.

"I enjoyed every moment of it," Penrod said. "I wanted to be a field-goal kicker also, and I wanted to get some halfback passes in. I love playing football. It's an adrenaline rush."

All the work Penrod did on Friday's could be traced in no small part to his work during the rest of the week. Penrod was a leader on the practice field as well as on the playing field.

"The thing about him, he took some real pistol-whippings in the games we played and on Monday's [at practice] he was always leading the pack," Gross said. "He never missed a practice all year long."

Throughout the season, field position played a big part in Jackson's success. Penrod's punting ability was a key part to that equation, averaging 39 yards a punt.

"I've worked at it every year," Penrod said. "I was punting sophomore year -- that's how I lettered. Every year since fifth-grade football I've punted."

With the help of Penrod and a talented group of seniors, the Indians ended the season 6-4, their second straight winning season. Jackson picked up a win over district-winning Roosevelt early in the year, routed its three conference opponents and picked up a big win on the road at Jefferson City.

"We played some really good games this season," Penrod said. "We really wanted to win against Jefferson City, and we did it. Everyone was pumped about that. Probably one of the best games I've been a part of."

While the season and his high school football career is over, Penrod has no intentions of taking any time off in the weight room. Penrod hopes his strong work ethic will help him continue his football career at the college level.

"I've always wanted to get to play college football. I don't care where," Penrod said.

Added Gross: "The thing I think will make him very attractive to some college football team is his versatility. A lot of people won't make him an I-back, but Joel Penrod can play somewhere."

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All-Southeast Missourian team

Offense

QB -- Tim Guilliams, jr., St. Vincent

notes -- Guilliams stepped into the starting quarterback role for the defending state champions having thrown just four passes last season. While the Inidans could not match their postseason success of a year ago, Guilliams did help lead his team to a 7-3 record with steady play. Guilliams finished with 875 yards passing with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. On the ground, Guilliams finished as St. Vincent's third-leading rusher with 369 yards and six touchdowns.

RB -- Joel Penrod, sr., Jackson

notes -- Penrod continued the tradition of smashmouth backs for Jackson by compiling 1,097 yards on the ground. Those yards typically came after contact, as Penrod did not shy away from a hit. Despite starting at linebacker and handling the punting duties for the Indians, Penrod carried the ball 237 times and led the area with 18 touchdowns.

RB -- Hykeem Hammonds, jr., Central

notes -- Hammonds represented the fastest of the area backs, and throughout the season the dimuntive back showed speed can kill. Despite his 5-foot-6, 145-pound frame, Hammonds racked up 908 yards on the ground and averaged 5.7 yards a carry. In the Tigers' season-finale against Sikeston, Hammonds finished with 233 yards on 16 carries, including touchdown runs of 80 and 61 yards.

WR -- Scott Dunaway, sr., Central

notes -- Dunaway provided a steady target for Central's two young quarterbacks throughout the season. Despite catching a lot of short-passes, Dunaway still managed to average 12.1 yards a catch. Overall, Dunaway finished with 29 receptions for 352 yards.

WR -- Ryan Regelsperger, sr., Perryville

notes -- Regelsperger was Perryville's main big-play threat on a struggling offense. Despite the Pirates' struggles on offense, Regelsperger finished with 32 receptions for 409 yards. Regelsperger accounted for more than half of quarterback Ryan Schilling's total passing yards and nearly half of his 69 completions.

WR -- Geoff Mirly, sr., Chaffee

notes -- While the Red Devils leaned more on the running game this season, Mirly still managed to amass 306 yards receiving on 24 catches. At 6-foot-2, Mirly provided a big target for Chaffee quarterbacks Michael Lee and Jeff Daugherty.

OL -- Cole Jansen, sr., Jackson

notes -- Jansen was the anchor of both the offensive and defensive lines for the Indians. At 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, Jansen was a dominating force up front. On defense, Jansen finished with 13 tackles for loss and five sacks.

OL -- Eric Englehart, sr., Jackson

notes -- Englehart gave Jackson yet another punishing body up front at 6-foot-1 and 260 pounds. Behind the play of Englehart and Jansen, the Indians were the only area team to finish with a 1,000-yard rusher.

OL -- Ben Buchheit, sr., St. Vincent

notes -- Buchheit was a returning starter from St. Vincent's 2004 state championship team and anchored the line for the Indians this season. At 6-foot and 260 pounds, Buchheit helped lead the Indians' strong rushing attack.

OL -- Michael Yetman, sr., Scott City

notes -- Yetman was one of just six seniors on a young Rams team. Despite playing as many as eight sophomores on offense at points this season, the Rams' running attack thrived throughout the season. Behind lineman like Yetman, Scott City had three players gain 400 or more yards on the ground.

OL -- Rashad Fambro, sr., Central

notes -- While the Tigers struggled on offense throughout the season, Fambro was a steadying force on the line. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Fambro improved into a first-team all-conference lineman as a two-year starter for the Tigers.

K -- Grant Ressel, jr., Jackson

notes -- Ressel was nearly perfect on extra points, making 28-of-30 on the season with two kicks blocked. While he did not receive many chances, Ressel was a perfect two for two in field goals.

Defense

DL -- Nathan Warmack, sr., Jackson

notes -- Warmack led Jackson's defensive linemen with 53 tackles, including seven for loss and three sacks. At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Warmack was a hard player to block.

DL -- Adam Collier, so., Jackson

notes -- Collier was one of the few nonseniors to crack Jackson's lineup, and he made the most of his time on the field. Collier, a bit undersized at 5-foot-8, finished with a team-high 16 tackles for loss and had nine sacks.

DL -- Chris Fischer, jr., St. Vincent

notes -- Fischer was one of the Indians' top linemen on both sides of the ball. Fischer finished with 50 tackles, tied for second on the team in sacks with three and finished with two fumble recoveries.

LB -- Drew Lowes, sr., Jackson

notes -- Lowes was one of the most active players on defense throughout the area,seemingly having a hand in nearly every play. From his linebacker spot, Lowes racked up 60 tackles, 13 for loss, and led the team with 10 sacks.

LB -- Waylon Richardet, sr., St. Vincent

notes -- Richardet's superior athleticism made him one of the area's top defensive players once again this year. Overall, Richardet finished with 81 tackles, including six sacks. Richardet added two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. On offense, Richardet finished with 793 yards rushing, 231 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns.

LB -- Brandon Beck, sr., Jackson

notes -- Beck led the Indians with 78 tackles and was one of Jackson's biggest hitters. Of his 78 tackles, 14 went for loss and Beck added two sacks.

LB -- John Gray, sr., Jackson

notes -- Gray helped make up one of the top linebacking corps in the area. Along with 57 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks, Gray added three interceptions.

DB -- Jordan Sneathen, sr., Jackson

notes -- Sneathen finished with five interceptions as he often drew the opposing team's top receiver. Overall, Sneathen finished with 39 tackles and also gave the Indians a big-play threat on offense with 212 receiving yards on just eight catches.

DB -- Ty Craft, sr., Central

notes -- Craft once again was one of the Tigers' top defensive players. Craft had his hand in 110 tackles from his secondary position. On the other side of the ball, Craft led area receivers with 34 catches for 453 yards.

DB -- Jamie Pinkston, jr., Scott City

notes -- Pinkston helped lead Scott City's defensive unit. Pinkston was the Rams' only first-team all-conference defensive player.

DB -- Greg Finger, jr., St. Vincent

notes -- Finger led the Indians in tackles this season with 88. Finger added a sack, one intercpetion and led the team with three fumble recoveries.

P -- Joel Penrod, sr., Jackson

notes -- While his 1,097 yards on the ground may stand out among Penrod's statistics from this season, the senior's punting played a vital role in Jackson's success. Penrod averaged about 39 yards a punt and could have averaged even more, if not for doing a good deal of directional kicking.