WEEK 5 TOP 10: Jackson defends throne, Caruthersville rising after big win

In one of the biggest games of the season so far, two of the top teams in the area faced off in Week 4. Jackson defended its title as the top team in the area, while Poplar Bluff impressed early before falling flat late.

Only two teams in this week’s top 10 faltered in last week’s slate, with many proving why they’re in such strong standing in the first place.

Without further ado, here is the fifth edition of the Semoball Area Football Top 10 Rankings.

Jackson's Jaylon Hampton smiles after scoring a touchdown during a September 15, 2023 matchup between the Jackson Indians and the Poplar Bluff Mules at Mules Stadium in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Jackson defeated Poplar Bluff, 49-21.Cole Lee ~ clee@semoball.com

__No. 1: Jackson (3-1, LW No. 1)__

Jackson is the top team in southeast Missouri for a reason. After falling in a 21-7 hole at Mules Stadium, the Indians locked in and dominated the rest of the matchup. Winning by a 49-21 margin, Jackson took the rivalry back from Poplar Bluff in a big way. Taking the win in a rivalry game is always tough, on the road in particular, but Jackson did it in style and continues to impress entering its Week 5 matchup with the highly-ranked Cape Central Tigers at “The Pit.”

__No. 2: New Madrid County Central (4-0, LW No. 3)__

The Eagles keep on winning, and because of this, they continue to sit atop the small school rankings and have emerged as one of the top few schools in the area once again. After a tough matchup with East Prairie, the Eagles have taken back-to-back wins in a big way and have risen to the No. 2 position because of it. However, a hot Caruthersville team is waiting for New Madrid County Central this week. While at home, expect the Eagles to have a tough test against the Tigers.

__No. 3: Poplar Bluff (1-3, LW No. 2)__

A three-loss team in third? Look, it’s tough. But Poplar Bluff’s strength is not in its record, but against the quality of competition it’s faced and the recent results. While the Mules took a big loss to Jackson, they held a 14-point lead just before halftime and offensively impressed for the majority of the game, not to mention that the defense is just the second to force Jackson’s Fox into an interception so far this season. This Bluff team that defeated Cape Central two weeks ago has found its groove, and one could expect the Mules to rattle off a winning streak entering the back half of their schedule.

__No. 4: Cape Central (2-2, LW No. 4)__

In one of the biggest wins of the season so far for the region, Cape Central traveled to Park Hills and knocked off the Park Hills Central Rebels that had already taken wins against Poplar Bluff and Caruthersville. Hanging a myriad of points against a defense that had allowed just under 16 points per game prior, Cape Central’s offense exploded against a tough opponent in a 48-41 victory. It’s hard not to rise after Cape Central’s victory against Park Hills Central, but it says a lot about the quality of competition in the area so far. Expect the Tigers to trend upward soon if they continue to impress, with their next opportunity – a great one – coming against No. 1 Jackson this week.

Portageville receiver Carson Bradley runs toward the end zone for a touchdown while being defended by Scott City safety Tyson Underwood on Friday, Sept. 15, in Scott City, Mo.Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

__No. 5: Portageville (3-1, LW No. 5)__

Portageville did something that no team had yet done to the Scott City Rams. In a 56-32 blowout, Portageville took a 42-12 lead on the road by halftime and closed the game out with a big win, blowing the doors off of the Rams and completely shifting the narrative. This is a team that can compete for a state championship. This team is almost the favorite to win a state championship. While they aren’t top-ranked in the area, the Bulldogs are groundbreakingly good, and I’m confident in saying that they’ll be the team to beat in Class 1 this season.

__No. 6: Dexter (3-1, LW No. 6)__

Most of the top small schools in the area have already faced the East Prairie Eagles. The Bearcats did what they had to do and left East Prairie with a big 56-18 victory to rekindle the flame. Having already played New Madrid County Central, taking a somewhat encouraging loss, the rest of the Bearcats schedule looks to be in their favor. Next up is a matchup with Doniphan on the road, where Dexter will look to continue to roll.

__No. 7: Caruthersville (3-1, LW No. 10)__

Hot on the scene, Caruthersville enters the middle tier of the rankings after dropping out just a few weeks ago. With Kennett in its first true test of the season, Caruthersville took a 40-32 victory against the hosting Indians to finally prove its standing within some of the stronger teams in the area. With its only setback coming against Park Hills Central, one of the top teams in its respective area, Caruthersville is poised to finish as one of the top teams in the SEMO Central Conference.

__No. 8: St. Vincent (2-2, LW No. 9)__

Enough to vault the Indians up a spot, St. Vincent’s performance against Herculaneum impressed a lot of people. With a 40-0 win against the Class 3 Blackcats, St. Vincent continues to prove that it can hang with some of the big boys in the area. Despite a small talent pool, St. Vincent has put together a squad that continues to dominate offensively. After a two-loss start, both on the road to tough teams, St. Vincent’s offense has gone from just 16 points per game in the first two games to 44.5 points per game in its last two. However, a matchup with local powerhouse Valle Catholic will surely test the Indians’ mettle.

__No. 9: Kennett (3-1, LW No. 7)__

After beginning its season relatively untested, Kennett faced off against a rising Caruthersville team and couldn’t keep up, losing 40-32 in a shootout on the Indians’ home turf. Despite it being a quality loss, Kennett still needs to prove it can hang in a talented SEMO Central Conference. However, the Indians will have this opportunity as their Homecoming game approaches against East Prairie. With a win, the Indians could pick up some momentum lost against the No. 7 Caruthersville Tigers.

Kelly celebrates following a 34-14 win over Charleston at Lambert Field in Benton, Missouri on Thursday, September 14, 2023.Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

__No. 10: Kelly (4-0, LW NR)__

After much anticipation, deliberation and many wins to begin the season, the Kelly Hawks make their long-awaited debut in the Semoball Area Football Power Rankings at the No. 10 position. Cracking the rankings in place of the Scott City Rams, the Hawks move out to a perfect 4-0 after taking a 20-point victory against Charleston. One thing rings true: only two teams in the area remain unbeaten, and the Kelly Hawks are one of these teams. Despite not facing the best teams in the area, there’s something to be said for a team that continues to win.

The 2023 Week 5 Semoball Area Football Top 10, first published on September 18, 2023 by Semoball.com. New Madrid County Central made its rise back to No. 2, while Caruthersville climbed three spots for its win against Kennett.Semoball.com