Prep Football: What we learned from Week 1

What did we learn from the first games of the 2013 high school football season?

We learned that Sikeston football is still alive and well.

After losing what seemed like everyone, including the water boy, from last season, the Bulldogs showed they have a few more athletes to shovel onto the field. Let's start with quarterback Reese Porter. Now, I know it's just one game and I'm not here to dub anyone a goofy moniker, but I would NOT want to be a second-year quarterback in Sikeston's system. In his first game ever as signal caller, Porter rushed for a team high 126 yards and two touchdowns and also threw for another 85. We all remember some of Sikeston's other first-year quarterbacks, right? Juqualin Wiggins. Trey Lewis. Kyland Gross. Ring a bell? We'll see how Porter's development continues over the next few games, but don't be surprised if his numbers remain like this, or better, throughout the year.

Another thing we learned is that Jackson will be pretty darn good.

The Indians kick-started their reawakening, so to speak, after defeating North County 47-13. Junior quarterback Dante Vandeven proved to be as good as advertised racking up 260 yards by both land and air. Now it may seem like a blowout by the final score, but a quick look at the box score will suggest otherwise. After three quarters, Jackson was ahead just 21-13. That was short-lived, however. The Indians cranked out 26 fourth quarter points in what I have to believe will be the norm from here on out. Get your Reeboks pumped, time to jump on that Indian bandwagon.

We also learned that there's a kid by the name of Bi Nuguyen that lives in Poplar Bluff who can apparently run really, really well with a football in his hands.

According to the Daily American Republic's Brian Rosener via twitter (@darsports) Nuguyen broke the school record for rushing yards with 320. 320 yards?! Good, night. I don't think I walk that in a day let alone want to run for it. Kudos to the sophomore (so I heard) and a 31-14 win over Union. Even though I'm not sure how to pronounce his name yet, I'm certain it won't be long before I hear it again.

What else did we learn you ask? I'll tell you. We learned that hairspray, humidity and bugs do not coexist.

I'm sure we were all swatting a few pests away Friday night, but I hear none were more bothered by the flying demons more than Sikeston's cheerleaders and their gameday up-do's. I heard from my colleagues, David Jenkins and Derek James, that the bugs were ridiculously annoying at Marshall Stadium in Charleston. I also heard that they adore swamp-like climates and hairspray because they reported that countless bugs were hovering and attacking from above Sikeston's leaders of cheer. Maybe bugs enjoy positive reenforcement delivered in unison? Steer clear ladies.

We also learned that East Prairie may be on a slight rise. And they also have less kids than most basketball teams do on their roster.

No, they didn't shock the football world and beat Perryville Friday, but they remained close to the Pirates in a 26-12 loss, which was looked at as sort of a win (if there is one) by the coaching staff. The game looks a little worse than it was because of a late fumble and touchdown by Perryville, but for East Prairie, a Class 2 school that has one win in the last two years, to stay within a touchdown of a Class 4 school in the final minutes is a bit surprising. They also have just 16 or 17 kids on their roster this season, according to coach Chad Jamerson. Two-way Eagle players, I'll pray for you. I've known coach Jamerson since his job shadowing days at SCC. No doubt he'll do his best to give some of the best football fans around something more to cheer about soon.

What we learned: rapid fire.

We learned that NMCC can move the ball, if they hold on to it.

We learned that Dexter and their quarterback, Peyton Pollack, should be a-okay when they're not facing the likes of high-powered Ste. Genevieve and an offense that apparently scores at will.

We learned that Portageville's cupboard is not totally bare after getting past St. Pius X 39-21.

We learned that football games can be pushed back because of heat that, honestly, wasn't all that brutal. Right?

We learned that Chaffee, although school officials tried to keep them out of it, LOVE the heat. I mean, c'mon, they're the RED DEVILS for crying out loud. Gotta exploit the elements.

We learned that Moutain View Liberty is still a brutal opener for Caruthersville. (Although I wouldn't be surprised to see the Tigers in the dome this season.)

And finally, we learned that high school football is back. No matter what happened during your team's first game of the season or what some blogger guy types to fill space, there's still a long, long season ahead. So, sit back, relax, buy some insect repellent and an Indian shirsey and continue to support this great thing we know as high school football.