By Dean Backes
MaxPreps.com
Trailing favored Miller Career Academy 14-0 at halftime, Beaumont's Jerry Marshall took his team's fate into his own hands by returning two fumble recoveries for touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Before Marshall's heroics, the Bluejackets got on the board twice. Once on a safety when MCA's punter stepped out of the end zone. Then on their ensuing possession the Bluejackets drove 61 yards to pull even closer. Kendall Spencer scored the touchdown when he took a screen pass from Clarence Trotter and raced 20-yards to pay dirt on the second play of the fourth quarter.
Then Marshall did his thing.
"Some people get lucky," Marshall told stltoday.com.
On the second fumble return, which covered 37 yards, defensive end Brandon Baker knocked the ball loose from an MCA ball carrier and into the waiting hands of the 6-foot-3 200 pound senior. There is no doubt he knew what to do with the ball. Take it to the house. His first return covered 16 yards.
The upset was huge considering the Bluejackets trailed the 2006 Class 3 quarterfinalists by 14 points and rallied for the win. MCA returns 17 starters from a year ago.
They're Baaaaaack
In his first game back since dislocating his shoulder in the seventh week of 2006 season, Mound City's Taylor Sharp made his presence known. He scored by running the ball; throwing the ball and catching the ball in a 64-8 win over defending 8-Man champion St. Joseph Christian. Sharp's scoring runs were from 53 and 44 yards out, and he threw one for 32 yards. Sharp latched on to a pass from Miles Clifton for a score to complete the trifecta.
Teammate Cole Rosier broke a leg last year against Christian. This year he broke a 73-yard kickoff return for a score and returned an interception 27 yards for another in his first action since last year's game.
"I'm sure glad to have both of them healthy," Mound City coach Chris Sharp told stjoenews.net. We missed them in the playoff game last year, and it showed. It's nice to have them and that connection going."
Other Top Rushing Performances
Alex Waterkotte rushed for 290 yards on 35 carries in Quincy Notre Dame's 31-27 win over Palmyra. South Shelby running back Ethan Harris totaled 278 yards rushing in 30 carries and scored all four touchdowns in a 27-6 win over Mark Twain. Layton Metcalf ran for 221 yards on 21 carries and scored two touchdowns for Marionville in a 30-0 shutout of Houston. Joe Pickrell and Logan Smith each had 103 yards rushing in Hamilton's 12-6 win over Albany. In Christian Brothers College 24-21 win over preseason ranked Hazelwood East, running back Rayon Simmons rushed for 248 yards on 29 carries and scored a touchdown. Zumwalt North's Matt Espey bowled over Washington for 270 yards and four touchdowns in a 27-19 win over the reigning Gateway Athletic Conference champion. Jason Ford rushed for 212 yards on 29 carries and scored four touchdowns for Althoff in a 28-12 win over Belleville West. One of his scores came on a 93-yard kickoff return.
Other Top Passing Performances
Dexter's Ben Mills connected on 21 of 27 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-35 loss to St. Genevieve. Kory Faulkner was not to be out done by Mills when he completed 40 of 49 passes for 446 yards and six touchdowns. Andrew Schnell connected on 20 of 36 passes for 266 yards and a score, plus he rushed for a touchdown in a 28-27 loss to Lee's Summit North. Trey Derryberry passed for 250 yards and three scores in Carthage's 34-14 win over Nixa. He added 69 rushing yards for 319 yards of total offense. Joplin's Cory Rector passed for 249 yards on 24 of 33 passing for a couple of touchdowns. He also threw four interceptions in the 40-19 loss to Waynesville. Raymore-Peculiar quarterback Gabe Crumpley threw for 230 yards and a score, while connecting on 11 of 15 passes in a 36-22 win over Winnetonka. Sean Ransburg connected on eight of 13 passes and 238 yards and three touchdowns for Harrisonville. West Platte quarterback Ryan Humes threw for 206 yards in a 49-20 loss to Orrick. Michael Harris completed 16 of 21 passes for 253 yards in leading Kirkwood to a 27-13 win at Lafayette.
Other Top Receiving Performances
Derek Libby had eight catches for 101 yards for Camdenton in a 16-10 win over Glendale. Dexter's Bobby Rawson caught 11 passes from quarterback Ben Mills totaling 162 yards and three touchdowns. Raytown's Aldon Smith caught five passes for 109 yards and a 44-yard touchdown in a 22-21 loss to Belton. Sean Middleton caught seven balls for 126 yards and a touchdown in Raymore-Peculiar's 36-22 win over Winnetonka. Harrisonville's Donnie Macleod caught three passes for 216 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Liberty's Marcus Lucas caught seven passes for 124 yards and a score in a 38-28 loss to North Kansas City. Erick Roe caught eight passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Savannah's Scott Anderson caught eight passes from quarterback Travis Partridge for 97 yards and three touchdowns.
Other Football Notes
As a team, Osage intercepted six passes in a 38-0 victory over Buffalo. Corey Anderson had three of them by himself, all in the first half. Parkway North freshman place-kicker Aaron Hammert set a record by kicking eight extra points in the Vikings 56-7 win over Cape Girardeau Central. Blue Springs South started their Class 6 championship defense by intercepting five passes and returning two for scores in a 49-0 win over Truman.
Softball: Fayette Collects 14 Runs in Third Inning To Win
Fayette's softball team seemed to be in replay against Higbee last week in a 21-5 win. The Falcons pounded hit-after-hit in the third inning until they put 14 runs on the scoreboard. Fayette also had 14 hits in the inning.
Strong Pitching
Hickman pitcher Amy Johanning threw a no-hitter in her team's 12-0 win over Macon. A hit batter and a walk were all that stood between Johanning and a perfect game. Shelly Brashear was the only Tigerette to make it on base against Johanning.
Junior pitcher Taylor Cowan was the first Hickman pitcher to no-hit an opposing team this year. She completed the feat in the Kewpies first game of the season.
Unscored Upon
Through five games the North Callaway softball team had yet to be scored on through last week. Although they committed four errors, the Thunderbirds still won 10-0 over Bowling Green last week.
Volleyball: Digging It
Senior Brittani Clark boosted Neosho to a 23-25, 25-17 and 26-24 win over Joplin last week when she scooped up 32 digs.