I have been with the Standard Democrat sports department since 2007. I took over as sports editor in May of 2011 and have been slightly crazy about sports since I can remember. I attended Southeast Missouri State University and Scott County Central High School. I co-created our sports web show "The Last Word" and my two children, Elijah and CJ. I was married to my wife, Angie, in May of 2014. I love to golf, I am an avid NBA2K gamer and root for the Fighting Irish on Saturdays.

Here's looking at you, football

Posted Thursday, August 7, 2014, at 12:45 PM

We're just two Friday's away from football and that feels great to be able to type that.

I've had time to think about who may emerge as frontrunners for district titles and possibly long playoff runs this season and, honestly, there's not many surprises.

Myself and David Jenkins recently filmed our preseason football edition of The Last Word (which you can watch here).

Here's just a snippet of who I think tops our regions football landscape.

Jackson will be the best team around our area after an 8-4 record and a trip to the Class 5 quarterfinals last season. They also return one of the preseason favorites to win the Carr Trophy, quarterback Dante Vandeven.

I think Cape Central, however, will be a close second. Though they lost a lot off the line, as did Jackson by the way, the Tigers became one of the most offensively dynamic teams I've seen recently before losing to the juggernaut that is Webb City last season in the Class 4 semifinals. They ran off an 8-game winning streak after starting 1-4. Although losing their school's all-time leading rusher in Mikey Jones will hurt, Cape Central returns athletic junior Al Young, who also became a school record holder last season with over 1,200 receiving yards. The Tigers also added former Chaffee quarterback Peyton Montgomery who led the Red Devils to a historic 9-2 season. From what I've heard, Montgomery will be available to play for Cape Central despite the transfer.

Caruthersville will be among the top teams as well despite the overhaul in the coaching staff. Four-year assistant Jimmy Jackson has taken over the head coaching position after Nathan Morgan accepted an assistant position at Greene County Tech in Paragould, Ark. Caruthersville also lost Darrell Monroe, who is now playing college football for Arizona Western College after initially signing with SEMO. (You can read more about that here.)

But after those three teams, it become hazy.

Sikeston may float around a .500 record this season, Dexter may improve with second-year quarterback Peyton Pollack, Poplar Bluff is a question mark, Malden should stay on course for another matchup with Caruthersville in Class 2, Scott City may be the most improved team returning tons of young talent and Kennett will be under the direction of coaching brothers Aaron Pixley and Arlen Pixley.

There's lots of questions and interesting storylines to begin the 2014 football season and I for one can't wait to see how each plays out.