Prep Football: South Callaway pursues perfection again

South Callaway senior cornerback Andrew Buckner returns one of the Bulldogs' five interceptions in last week's 62-30 EMO rout of Clopton/Elsberry in Mokane.
South Callaway senior cornerback Andrew Buckner returns one of the Bulldogs' five interceptions in last week's 62-30 EMO rout of Clopton/Elsberry in Mokane.

MOKANE, Mo. - Unbeaten South Callaway may not have control in regards to locking up a top district seed, but the Bulldogs can certainly manipulate a different matter.

South Callaway will look to punctuate another perfect run to an Eastern Missouri Conference championship when it hosts the Van-Far Indians in tonight's regular-season finale. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs - who received 12 votes in this week's Class 2 state media rankings - are 8-0 on the season and 6-0 in the EMO after a 62-30 home victory against Clopton/Elsberry last week. Van-Far is 2-6 overall and 0-6 in conference play following a 42-9 loss to Mark Twain at home.

South Callaway is attempting to add a second EMO title in three years. The Bulldogs also went undefeated in capturing the conference championship in their first year as members in 2014, en route to a Class 2 state runner-up finish.

"That's kind of our focus and just our motivation this week," South Callaway coach Zack Hess said earlier this week. "To win it outright and not to have lost to any conference opponents is a big deal."

The Bulldogs enter tonight in first place in the District 5 standings with 48.89 points, but could drop out of that spot even with a victory against the Class 2 Indians - depending on point formulas. Second-place Brentwood (6-1) is a little more than a point behind South Callaway - with 47.49 - but the Eagles could possibly move past the Bulldogs with a win against Class 3 Ste. Genevieve (5-3).

Hermann (6-2) is a close third in District 5 with 47.04 points and the Bearcats face Class 4 Union (5-3) tonight.

The top four seeds host district first-round games next week, with the top seed securing home-field advantage throughout the district playoffs.

Hess, his assistant coaches and players aren't concerning themselves with how the district scenario will shake out, pending tonight's outcomes.

"We don't talk a lot about where we are, district-wise," Hess said. "I think the message is just that we have to play our games and if we're a one seed, that's great, and if we're a two seed then we'll play who we play, and we'll do the best we can."

South Callaway will face a Van-Far squad tonight that has suffered six straight losses. The Indians have combined to score just 44 points (7.3 average) during that span.

Junior Parker Wallace (5-foot-8, 150 pounds) is Van-Far's quarterback and junior Trey Miller (6-2, 165) is the Indians' feature back. Juniors Josh Hodde (6-0, 155) and Jacob Garner (5-10, 175), and sophomore Eric Hombs (5-10, 150) rotate between running back and wide receiver.

"They have a certain amount of plays that they run out of multiple formations," Hess said. "They're hard to figure out. One game they'll line up in double-tight (end) wishbone, then the next game they'll line up in flex(bone) pistol and try and spread you out.

"I'm sure they'll try both things and whatever they have the most success with, they'll try to stick with, but we've got to be ready for both."

The Bulldogs' defense intercepted Clopton/Elsberry senior quarterback Stephen Talbert five times last week, with sophomore free safety Peyton Leeper returning one 45 yards for a touchdown. South Callaway, though, did give up a season-high in points allowed and total offense (351 yards).

Hess explained the Bulldogs' defensive unit needs to clean up some minor issues on particular plays.

"Some of the things that we looked at in film on Monday, I want to see us do a better job with our angles and leverages, and pass drops (in coverage)," Hess said. "It's just the little things that sometimes we take for granted.

"If we continue doing the things that we did well (last) Friday night and you put all of those together, hopefully that will give you some success."

While Van-Far's offense is dealing with hardships, the situation is equally dismal on the defensive side. The Indians have been shredded for 36.3 points per game during their six-game slide and will encounter a South Callaway offense that is averaging a dynamic 43 points and 402.8 yards of total offense.

The Bulldogs - who trailed 14-6 early in the second quarter against Clopton/Elsberry - rolled up 502 yards of offense, including 300 rushing. Junior quarterback Landon Horstman also threw for 202 yards and four touchdowns, and also ran for a score.

"Once we got into the flow of the game and everybody settled down a little bit, you could tell that they just started to pick it up," Hess said. "The explosive plays there with the long passes, that was encouraging to see."

South Callaway hosts Van-Far/Community

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Preview podcast: South Callaway Bulldogs Football Podcast [Van-Far preview, Oct. 14, 2016]