Area's list of 1,000-yard performers grows with four local names

Four Southeast Missouri high school football players have reached the 1,000-yard season mark at the halfway point of the regular season, and a handful of others are primed to get there over the final five weeks of the schedule.

Jordan Politte of Potosi became one of the region's first of three 1,000-yard passers Friday in a defeat of Perryville. Heading into the final five games of the season, Politte has thrown for 1,097 yards.

Quarterback Kory Faulkner of Ste. Genevieve toppled the 1,000-yard mark in the Dragons' win Friday over Herculaneum, putting him on track to rival his 2,222 yards passing as a sophomore last season.

A third quarterback, Aaron Baker of Farmington, has thrown for 1,033 yards and rushed for 553. At that pace, Baker could have 3,000 yards of total offense by the end of the 10-game schedule.

After five weeks, QBs Ben Mills of Dexter (662 yards), Tyler Hoog of St. Pius X (650 yards passing), Chase McClendon of Charleston (621 yards), Shawn Crump of Festus (593 yards), and Blake Parr of Kennett (570 yards) also stand to reach the 1,000-yard mark.

Among running backs, Demetrius Terry of Crystal City was the first to reach four digits, which he did Friday when his team reached 5-0 for the first time in three decades. Terry has carried for 1,016 yards this season.

Others are in line for 1,000 yards based on the first five weeks, led by Ryan Sawyer of Fredericktown with 967 yards rushing. On the list behind him: Adam Zweigart of Jackson (746 yards), Michael Lowther of Thayer (735 yards), Jake Vonderbruegge of Hillsboro (650 yards), and Kris Cottner of Perryville (630 yards).

On defense, William Norris of Hayti and Joe Gyurica of St. Pius X lead the region's 33 teams with 57 total tackles and are primed to reach 100 by the end of Week 10. Kevin Moore of Herculaneum has 52.