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Clark County Indians receive warm reception upon arrival home Saturday
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| From left foreground, Stephanie Johnson, 16, Rebecca Johnson, 12, Shelby Goben, 12, and Roni Goben, 11, cheer for the Clark County Indians who won the Missouri Class 2 football title Saturday afternoon in St. Louis. The Indians were honored during a celebration and pep rally at the high school Saturday evening. |
By Steve Dunn/Gate City Managing Editor
KAHOKA, Mo. - Missouri's Class 2 football champions were greeted by fireworks and a sea of red when they returned home to Clark County High School Saturday night.
“They've done all anybody could ask. We should be very proud of these young gentlemen today,” Kahoka Mayor Herb Butler told a packed gymnasium after the Indians' 10-7 win over Maryville, Mo., in St. Louis. “During the last five games, they were tested and retested. This afternoon they had one thing bestowed on them - a state championship.”
In capturing their first state championship in history, the Indians became the first school in Class 2 to finish the season with a perfect 15-0 record.
“By God, they showed where the true Northeast Missouri is located now,” Butler said after he referred to other towns in Northeast Missouri that received more attention in the past. “Stand up and be proud because you are the state champs of Class 2.”
Head Coach Matt Smith described the feeling of winning the state championship as “surreal” and said he is proud of all of his players, some of whom had battled sickness. He saluted the Indians' legion of fans for their support. An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people showed up at the Edward Jones Dome to cheer on the Indians in the state championship earlier in the day.
Smith also paid tribute to his assistant coaches and the coaches' families “who make a lot of sacrifices.”
Quarterback Ethan Allen thanked everyone from parents, coaches and teammates to the cheerleaders and students who kept statistics and provided cookies throughout the season.
Senior lineman Lynn Williams broke the crowd up when he recalled his mother didn't want him to play football in sixth grade. However, his dad said he should go ahead and play and not tell his mom about his decision.
After thanking the bus drivers who took the team to every out-of-town game, Williams had kind words for the fans that traveled to St. Louis.
“That sea of red was unbelievable,” Williams said.
Senior running back Javis Vineyard thanked Neal Moon and asked the other offensive linemen to come forward so he could congratulate each of them personally: Cori Seth, Lynn Williams, Michael Brennan and Zach Nixon.
Rick Fischer of 100.5 KMEM FM in Memphis, Mo., noted his only other chance to broadcast a state championship was 19 years ago to the day when Putnam County High School lost.
“I was never more proud than today,” said a beaming Fischer. “I was almost speechless today.”
The Indians' historic victory over Maryville will be rebroadcast sometime during the next couple of weeks, he said.
The fans who attended the celebration and pep rally were just as excited as the players and coaches.
Daryl Boulware, his wife, Penny, and their two daughters, Haley, 12, and Aubry, 8, all went to the game.
“I couldn't be more excited. I'm extremely proud of these boys,” said Daryl. “It's probably the biggest thing ever, especially for the school.”
“It's a first for Clark County, so it's pretty exciting,” Haley added.
Another fan who preferred to remain anonymous said the whole experience was “awesome, unbelievable.”
Even those fans who couldn't attend the championship game for whatever reason were pleased.
“It's wonderful,” said Daniel Thomson. “I wish they could have done this when I was in school.”
Clark County fans don't have to wait any longer thanks to the Indians' performance Saturday.
“They've done all anybody could ask. We should be very proud of these young gentlemen today,” Kahoka Mayor Herb Butler told a packed gymnasium after the Indians' 10-7 win over Maryville, Mo., in St. Louis. “During the last five games, they were tested and retested. This afternoon they had one thing bestowed on them - a state championship.”
In capturing their first state championship in history, the Indians became the first school in Class 2 to finish the season with a perfect 15-0 record.
“By God, they showed where the true Northeast Missouri is located now,” Butler said after he referred to other towns in Northeast Missouri that received more attention in the past. “Stand up and be proud because you are the state champs of Class 2.”
Head Coach Matt Smith described the feeling of winning the state championship as “surreal” and said he is proud of all of his players, some of whom had battled sickness. He saluted the Indians' legion of fans for their support. An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people showed up at the Edward Jones Dome to cheer on the Indians in the state championship earlier in the day.
Smith also paid tribute to his assistant coaches and the coaches' families “who make a lot of sacrifices.”
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Senior lineman Lynn Williams broke the crowd up when he recalled his mother didn't want him to play football in sixth grade. However, his dad said he should go ahead and play and not tell his mom about his decision.
After thanking the bus drivers who took the team to every out-of-town game, Williams had kind words for the fans that traveled to St. Louis.
“That sea of red was unbelievable,” Williams said.
Senior running back Javis Vineyard thanked Neal Moon and asked the other offensive linemen to come forward so he could congratulate each of them personally: Cori Seth, Lynn Williams, Michael Brennan and Zach Nixon.
Rick Fischer of 100.5 KMEM FM in Memphis, Mo., noted his only other chance to broadcast a state championship was 19 years ago to the day when Putnam County High School lost.
“I was never more proud than today,” said a beaming Fischer. “I was almost speechless today.”
The Indians' historic victory over Maryville will be rebroadcast sometime during the next couple of weeks, he said.
The fans who attended the celebration and pep rally were just as excited as the players and coaches.
Daryl Boulware, his wife, Penny, and their two daughters, Haley, 12, and Aubry, 8, all went to the game.
“I couldn't be more excited. I'm extremely proud of these boys,” said Daryl. “It's probably the biggest thing ever, especially for the school.”
“It's a first for Clark County, so it's pretty exciting,” Haley added.
Another fan who preferred to remain anonymous said the whole experience was “awesome, unbelievable.”
Even those fans who couldn't attend the championship game for whatever reason were pleased.
“It's wonderful,” said Daniel Thomson. “I wish they could have done this when I was in school.”
Clark County fans don't have to wait any longer thanks to the Indians' performance Saturday.
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| Atterberg enters not guilty plea |
Reader Comments
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Renee Schofield Indian Alumni wrote on Dec 1, 2008 2:46 PM: