‘I just wanted to play for him’: Ruffcorn, Tigers tough out win day after Birck’s death

Canton's Allie Ruffcorn delivers a pitch during Wednesday's game against Bowling Green at the Cotton Bowl in Canton, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

CANTON, Mo. — Allie Ruffcorn wasn’t just pitching for the Canton softball team on Wednesday. She was pitching for Carson Birck. Birck, a 2020 Canton graduate and former Tigers baseball and basketball player, died Tuesday during a work-related accident. “I cried a lot during warmups,” Ruffcorn said. “I didn’t go to school today. I just…

Read More

Photo gallery: Canton, Bowling Green softball teams square off

The Canton softball team made enough defensive plays to hold Bowling Green scoreless the final four innings of the Tigers' 8-3 victory on Wednesday in Canton, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. CANTON, Mo. — Allie Ruffcorn’s complete-game effort carried the Canton softball team to an 8-3 victory over Bowling Green on Wednesday. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey took in the action and put together this photo gallery:

Read More

The St. Clair way: Bobcats’ ground-and-pound attack overwhelms Panthers as Hall of Fame coach earns 200th victory

Bowling Green coach Mark St. Clair addresses his team following Friday night's 58-12 victory over Palmyra, which was the Hall of Fame coach's 200th career victory. | Shane Hulsey photo

BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — While Mark St. Clair’s 200th career head coaching victory will go on his personal resume, he was quick to pass the credit to others in his circle who have helped make that accomplishment possible. “There have been a lot of people who have contributed to every one of my wins —…

Read More

Photo gallery: St. Clair’s milestone victory comes at Palmyra’s expense

Bowling Green coach Mark St. Clair prepares for the start of Friday night's game against Palmyra in Bowling Green, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit out SmugMug site. BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — Mark St. Clair enjoyed a milestone moment Friday night as the former Hannibal football coach, who is know at the helm of the Bowling Green program, won his 200th career game in the Bobcats’…

Read More

Right on the money: Bock, state-ranked Panthers make right plays in capturing 16th straight victory

Palmyra guard Ryan McKinney looks to make a move toward the basket during Thursday night's game against Bowling Green in Palmyra, Mo. | Photo courtesy Alicia Deming

PALMYRA, Mo. — Bear Bock found himself with what looked to be a breakaway layup in the second half, only to eventually run into some Bowling Green defenders blocking his path to the basket. No problem. Bock fired a behind-the-back pass to trailing teammate Luke Sheppard, who secured the toss and cashed in a layup.…

Read More

Bryant, Bowling Green outrun South Shelby in epic district championship shootout

Bowling Green's Bleyne Bryant, left, looks for running room against South Shelby during Friday night's Class 2 District 7 championship game at Charles Rash Memorial Field in Shelbina, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mark Requet, Shelby County Herald

SHELBINA, Mo. — It was an offensive shootout for the ages. Bowling Green and South Shelby, two of the highest-scoring high school football teams in Missouri, combined for 16 touchdowns, 116 points and 1,035 yards of offense Friday night in the Class 2 District 7 championship game at Charles Rash Memorial Field. In the end,…

Read More

Crim: Electric offenses, stout defenses and unblemished records collide in district title game

South Shelby senior running back Kendal Hammond and the Cardinals will face Bowling Green for the Class 2 District 7 championship Friday night in Shelbina, Mo. | Photo courtesy Danielle VanDyke

SHELBINA, Mo. — It’s the game high school football fans in Northeast Missouri have been waiting for. Undefeated Bowling Green versus undefeated South Shelby. Two of the state’s most prolific scoring teams will collide Friday night at Charles Rash Memorial Field in the District 7 championship game for the right to advance in the Class…

Read More

First-quarter onslaught enables Bowling Green to bury Monroe City in district semifinals

Monroe City football coach David Kirby, right, addresses his team following the Panthers' 51-6 loss to Bowling Green in the Class 2 district semifinals Friday night in Bowling Green, Mo. | Don Crim photo

BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — Eight was enough. Bowling Green produced 254 yards and four touchdowns on its eight offensive plays in the first quarter Friday night to bolt to a 30-0 lead and cruise to a 51-6 victory over Monroe City in the semifinals of the Class 2 District 7 playoffs. Behind the quick-strike capabilities…

Read More

Big first inning carries Bowling Green to district title victory over top-ranked Highland

Highland softball coach Paul Scifres talks to his team following an 8-4 loss to Bowling Green in the Class 2 District 5 championship game Monday in Shelbina, Mo. | Steve Eighinger photo

SHELBINA, Mo. — By the time Megan Graver delivered her first pitch of the game, she already felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. When the Bowling Green softball team’s diminutive right-hander walked to the pitcher’s circle in the bottom of the first inning, her teammates had already…

Read More

Bowling Green remains unbeaten in EMO showdown with Mark Twain

Bowling Green QB Dylan Dalton takes a big hit from Mark Twain's Landon Moss while scoring a two-point conversion.

CENTER, Mo – The Bowling Green Bobcats were considered the favorites on Friday night on the road at Mark Twain in a matchup of Eastern Missouri Conference unbeaten teams. And in a physical game that lived up to its billing, Bowling Green’s Marcus Starks ran for 209 yards and three touchdowns as the Bobcats remained…

Read More