This rivalry series, while only having been around a few years, has been nothing short of exciting since it began. Both teams have emerged as powerhouses in their respective districts over the past decade, and have kept the overall series close with Smith-Cotton leading five games to Center’s four, prior to this weeks matchup.

MVP

Gabe Young

Smith-Cotton

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Sidney Gates

Center

Sidney plays offensive and defensive line for the Yellowjackets. He holds a 3.2 GPA and plans to attend Rockhurst University or UMKC where he wants to major in studio arts.

Zach Powell

Smith-Cotton

Zach is a two-year letterman on the football team. He averages 57 yards per kickoff return and 20 yards per punt return which has resulted in five special teams touchdowns in addition to his four offensive touchdowns as a slot receiver. Zach has tied three state record for single game kickoff returns and single game punt returns. Powell is also a three-year letterman in track where he is a two-time district qualifier in the 100m dash. He is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Student Council and is currently undecided on where he wants to attend college.

HALL OF FAME

Ronnie Hill

Center

Ronnie played all four years in the rivalry game vs. Smith – Cotton. In his senior year, he led Center to a 42-7 victory when he rushed for 138 yards and threw for 142 more with one rushing and one passing touchdown. In the fourth game of the season, Ronnie moved from slot receiver to quarterback and led the team to nine straight victories and a 10-3 finish, losing to Maryville in the quarterfinals of the state tournament.

Carlton Homan

Smith-Cotton

Carlton played in the Smith-Cotton/Center rivalry game for three years in high school and was a member of the 2015 conference championship team for the Tigers. His senior year he helped lead the Tigers to a 27-17 victory against Center. During high school, Carlton was also a member of the baseball and track teams. Carlton now attends Missouri State University where he is pre-med.

GAME SUMMARY

Throughout the first half ,Center seemed like they had full control of the game as Smith-Cotton couldn’t get anything going offensively, and didn’t seem to be able to get any stops defensively. Smith-Cotton was able to cut the lead to 10 going into the locker room with a field goal late in the first half. Smith-Cotton came out in the second half ready to go and scored 14 unanswered point as the game went back and forth with several lead changes in the second half. Smith-Cotton was able to hang on and put the game away late salvaging their perfect season going into the playoffs next week.