WEEK 14 TOP 10: Cape Central, St. Vincent rise after quarterfinal wins

The number of teams remaining in the area has been chopped in half over the past week.

Last week’s top two teams – Jackson and Portageville – both went down in heartbreaking defeats to some of the classes’ top dogs while Cape Central and St. Vincent marched on to the semifinals.

We’re just a week away from the state championship round and there are still two teams fighting for rights at a MSHSAA title. Let’s see how the teams stack up entering Week 14.

__No. 1: Jackson (10-2, LW No. 1)__

Against one of the top teams in the state, Jackson maintained a three-point edge in the third quarter but couldn’t hold on as the two-time reigning state champion Christian Brothers College swarmed the Indians at home. Losing 35-23, Jackson proved that it could hang with the state’s toughest competition but couldn’t quite pull out the win when it mattered most. Ending the season at 10-2, Jackson’s first year of the Ryan Nesbitt era saw a program-record 10 wins by a first-year head coach. The Indians will look to improve upon this record in 2024.

__No. 2: Cape Central (10-3, LW No. 3)__

Cape Central is no stranger to the No. 2 position this season. After starting the season with a 2-3 record, the Tigers have rattled off eight consecutive wins, most recently culminating in a shocking 32-29 victory on the road against Eureka. For the second consecutive season, Cape Central is moving into a MSHSAA Class 5 semifinal. This time, however, they’ll go on the road as the Tigers do battle with the Cardinal Ritter Lions in St. Louis. This will be Cape Central’s toughest test at least since its game against Jackson, if not all season. Expect a tough test out of the Lions on Saturday.

__No. 3: Portageville (10-2, LW No. 2)__

The Portageville Bulldogs went on the road to face off against Marionville in Week 13, and just like the Jackson Indians, saw their 10-game winning streak snapped by one of the top teams in their class. Marionville slowed down the prolific Portageville offense and ended the Bulldogs’ season with a narrow 17-14 win. This sets up a semifinal between Marionville and St. Vincent in Marionville, Missouri. While Portageville couldn’t guarantee an area semifinal matchup, St. Vincent will attempt to knock off the Comets and advance to the state title.

__No. 4: Poplar Bluff (5-5, LW No. 4)__

The Poplar Bluff Mules were idle for Week 13 play after losing a Class 5 District 1 semifinal matchup to the Farmington Knights. Cape Central, the district champion out of Class 5 District 1, defeated Eureka 32-29 in Week 13 to advance to a semifinal matchup with Cardinal Ritter.

__No. 5: St. Vincent (9-3, LW No. 6)__

St. Vincent is heading back to the state semifinals for the first time since its state championship in 2004. The last time it even advanced to the quarterfinals was 2006, but the season ended with a loss to Marionville. That name might sound familiar, because the Indians are now a win away from a state championship appearance, and the only ones separating them from such are the Marionville Comets. After squeaking by the Portageville Bulldogs on home turf, Marionville looks to defend it once more against St. Vincent in a battle between top district seeds. This will be a thrilling matchup, and while Marionville might be the favorite on paper, don’t be surprised if St. Vincent makes a run.

__No. 6: Scott City (9-3, LW No. 5)__

Scott City was idle for Week 13 after a loss to Valle Catholic in the Class 2 District 1 championship game. Last week, Valle Catholic dismantled Lift for Life Academy, 47-14, to advance to a Class 2 semifinal against Fair Grove on Saturday, Nov. 25.

__No. 7: New Madrid County Central (9-2, LW No. 6)__

New Madrid County Central was idle for Week 13 action following a blowout loss to Scott City in Week 11. The Class 2 District 1 champion, Valle Catholic, dismantled Lift for Life Academy, 47-14, to advance to a Class 2 semifinal against Fair Grove on Saturday, Nov. 25.

__No. 8: Dexter (7-3, LW No. 8)__

The Dexter Bearcats were idle during Week 13 after being eliminated in a 29-28 loss to the Ste. Genevieve Dragons in Week 11. The Class 3 District 1 champion, Park Hills Central, defeated St. Francis Borgia, 50-28, to advance to a Class 3 semifinal against Blair Oaks on Saturday, Nov. 25.

__No. 9: Caruthersville (7-4, LW No. 9)__

Caruthersville was inactive for Week 13, losing to Valle Catholic in Week 11 to end a productive season for the Tigers. Last week, Valle Catholic dismantled Lift for Life Academy, 47-14, to advance to a Class 2 semifinal against Fair Grove on Saturday, Nov. 25.

__No. 10: Kennett (4-6, LW No. 10)__

Kennett was inactive in Week 13, having lost to Herculaneum 32-26 in Week 10. The Class 3 District 1 champion, Park Hills Central, defeated St. Francis Borgia, 50-28, to advance to a Class 3 semifinal against Blair Oaks on Saturday, Nov. 25.