Sikeston seventh grade rolls 18-0, eighth grade stopped short in thriller

Sikeston seventh grader Fred Thatch runs for yardage while a Poplar Bluff Mule hitches a ride Thursday at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium. Sikeston won the seventh grade game, 18-0.
(Photo by Chris Pobst, Staff)

SIKESTON -- Continuing their undefeated season, the Sikeston seventh grade Bulldogs shut out visiting Poplar Bluff Thursday, 18-0 at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.

Sikeston, who are 3-0-1 on the season, received a heavy dose of Austin Branch and Fred Thatch -- both running backs -- to keep their offense rolling.

Branch scored the Bulldogs' first touchdown on a short run while quarterback Bryce Bays rumbled in from 10 yards away to give Sikeston a 12-0 advantage at halftime.

Thatch secured the win with an 18-yard scurry in the fourth quarter.

An inch separated the eighth grade Bulldogs from a win Thursday as they fell 28-27 to Poplar Bluff.

A 21-yard touchdown run by quarterback Phayzon Fobbs with 1:59 left in the fourth quarter to make it 28-27.

Fobbs was stopped just an inch short during a 2-point conversion try from scoring the go-ahead points.

Sikeston's eighth grade is now 2-2 on the season.