Todd Richards
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KFVS 12 Sports Director
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Articles by Todd Richards
SEMO Men’s Basketball picked 2nd and Women 6th in Ohio Valley Conference
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - The SEMO Men’s Basketball team is picked to finish 2nd in the Ohio Valley Conference. SEMO women were picked to finish 6th. OVC basketball coaches and communication directors voted on the teams. On the Men’s side, Tennessee State was picked as the favorites, getting 13 of the 18 first place votes. The Redhawks received 2 first place votes.
Heartland Sports scores from Tuesday 10/13
(Heartland News) - Here are Heartland Sports scores from Tuesday, October 13. H.S. Girls Class 1 District 1 Tennis Quarterfinals Saxony Lutheran-5 Charleston-0 Notre Dame-5 Fredericktown-0 H.S. Boys Soccer Lindbergh-3 Jackson-1 NHL Scoreboard Blues-7 Senators-2 MVC Preseason Basketball Rankings Murray State Men and Women ranked number 1 SIU Men ranked 9th
Saxony Lutheran Girls Tennis team finishes regular season 14-0
JACKSON, Mo. (Heartland News) - The Saxony Lutheran Girls Tennis team beat Jackson 7-2 on Tuesday at Jackson City Park to finish the regular season with a 14-0 record. The Crusaders are seeking their first District Title in school history under head coach Amy Birk. Saxony Lutheran will host the Class 1 District 1 Individual Tournament on Thursday at SEMO.
Jackson Girls Golf team wins inaugural SEMO Conference Tournament
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - The Jackson Girls Golf team won the inaugural SEMO Conference Tournament on Tuesday at the Dalhousie Golf Club. Jackson finished with a score of 408 and got a 2nd place individual finish from Addison Tate and 3rd place finish from Palmer Gwin. Notre Dame finished 2nd with a team score of 418. Notre Dame’s Lucy Barnette claimed Medalist honors, shooting an 80. Notre Dame golfer Lucy Barnette(Notre Dame Athletics)
Jackson Volleyball seniors play their last game on regular home court
Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google The game marked the final regular home court contest for the Lady Indians seniors. With the win, Jackson improved to 22-3 on the season.
Jackson Soccer hands Sikeston Bulldogs their first loss of season
JACKSON, Mo. (Heartland News) -The Jackson Soccer team handed the unbeaten Sikeston Bulldogs their first loss of the season 2-1 in overtime Monday night at the Jackson Soccer Field. Sikeston’s Keith Branson gave Sikeston a 1-0 lead in the first half, but Jackson answered with a Grady Borgfield goal to tie it in the 2nd half and a Mason Diebold goal to win it in overtime. With the win, Jackson improved to 6-3 and Sikeston fell to 13-1.
SEMO Football plays host to #20 West Florida Saturday on Family Weekend
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) -The SEMO football team will host #20 West Florida at 6 p.m. Saturday at Houck Field. This year marks the first-ever meeting between the Redhawks and Argonauts and will take place on Family Weekend. SEMO is 8-3 in Family Weekend games under Head Coach Tom Matukewicz. West Florida is 2-1 on the season and Southeast is 2-2.
SEMO Women’s Basketball practices underway for 2026-27 season
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - This week, the SEMO Women’s Basketball team began practicing for the upcoming season. Head Coach Briley Palmer’s squad includes 12 new players out of 13 total players. Senior guard Madison Ayers is the lone returning player from last season’s team that finished 14-18 overall. The Redhawks brought in eight transfers and four freshman to fill out the squad. Sikeston’s Karris Allen has transferred in from Southern Illinois University.
SEMO men’s basketball finalizes schedule for 2026-27 season
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) -The SEMO men’s basketball team finalized its 2026-27 schedule on Wednesday. The schedule includes an additional 15 non-conference games. It also includes a 31-game schedule with 15 games at the Show Me Center. SEMO tips off the regular season with two straight games on their home court vs. Lipscomb on November 2 and Webster on November 4. For a complete look at the Redhawks schedule, you can click here.
Sikeston soccer team wins 8th straight game to start season
SIKESTON, Mo. (Heartland News) - The Sikeston soccer team defeated Cape Central 8-0 at home Tuesday to make it eight straight wins to open the season. Bulldogs star Jaden Johnson led the way with four goals. Sikeson head coach Gabe Dement told Heartland Sports this is the best start the team has enjoyed in his 19 years at the school. The Bulldogs play in the Willard Soccer Invitational this weekend.
Heartland Football Friday Top 12 Plays of the Week 9/14
Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google Check out the top 12 plays from week 4 from around the Heartland.
War for the Wheel halftime update
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - Tonight is the annual War for the Wheel game between Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Southeast Missouri State University. The SEMO and SIU football teams are tied 13-13 at halftime at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale.
Former SEMO star Al Young & SIU Coach Pat Poore to appear on the Toddcast Thursday
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) -Former Cape Central and SEMO Football star Al Young and longtime SIU Assistant coach Pat Poore will join Todd Richards on the Toddcast Thursday. Poore’s segment will air live at 12:30 p.m., and Young’s segment will air live at 6:30 p.m. You can view the Toddcasts on Heartlandnews.com, in the Heartland News App or stream them on Roku and Apple TV.
SEMO Women’s Volleyball coach Julie Yankus hits career milestone
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Heartland News) - SEMO Women’s Volleyball coach Julie Yankus won her 250th career game Tuesday night in Evansville, Indiana over the Purple Aces 3-1. Along with the milestone for Yankus, senior outside hitter Lucy Arndt recorded her 1,000th career dig. Up next, the 1-3 Redhawks travel to the Saluki Bash and take on host Southern Illinois on Friday at noon.
SIU Quarterback DJ Williams described as ‘week-to-week’ with knee injury
CARBONDALE, Ill. (Heartland News) - SIU head football coach Nick Hill described star quarterback DJ Williams as ‘week-to-week’ during his news conference on Monday. Williams injured his knee in a season-opening road loss last Thursday at West Florida. Hill said Williams was scheduled to meet with a team doctor Monday afternoon, but his availability for Thursday’s game against Samford was still unknown.
College Football final scores from Thursday 8/27
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) -Here are the College Football final scores from opening night Thursday, August 27. FCS College Football Scores SIU-31 West Florida-34 EIU-28 Murray State-14 Central Arkansas-36 UT Martin-24
SEMO transfer quarterback Ragland to start season opener at Indiana State
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - Southeast Missouri State University football program officials announced Monday, that senior quarterback Braylen Ragland would start the season opener on Saturday. Ragland is a transfer from Alabama State. He played in one game with the Hornets in 2025. He gets the starting nod over junior signal caller Johnny Weber. SEMO Senior transfer Braylen Ragland will start the season opener Saturday at Indiana State. Ragland is from Memphis.
Heartland Football Friday 8/21
(Heartland News) - Heartland Football Friday kicks off on Friday, August 21.
Cape Catfish manager wins Prospect League award
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) -Cape Catfish Manager Colin Butkiewicz was named Prospect League Manager of the Year on Wednesday. Butkiewicz led the Catfish to a second straight Prospect League Title in 2026. He also guided the team to a 26-3 second-half record, and a 45-10 overall mark, all tops in the league. Earlier this week, Catfish Infielder Collin Senkpeil was named Prospect League Prospect of the Year.
SEMO Athletics claims first OVC Institutional Academic Achievement Award
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - The SEMO Athletics Department claimed its first-ever Ohio Valley Conference Institutional Academic Achievement Award on Tuesday. Southeast had over 75 percent of its student-athletes earn a 3.25 grade point average or higher for the 2025-26 academic year. The Redhawks also won a conference-leading seven Academic Achievement Awards. SEMO claimed awards in Men’s and Women’s cross country, football, women’s tennis, men’s track & field and volleyball.
Jackson martial arts studio wins 13 World Championships
Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google The 13 World Championships set a record for the most for Legends Martial Arts in 10 years of existence. Brandon Johnson is the owner, chief instructor and World Champion from the studio.
Jackson Indians get early start on first day of Missouri Football practice
JACKSON, Mo. (Heartland News) - The Jackson Indians got an early start on the first day of Missouri Football practice on Monday at 7 a.m. at the Pit. Head coach Ryan Nesbitt’s squad is coming off another strong summer conditioning program and enters the 2026 season as a team that could make another deep run in the postseason. The Indians open the regular season at home on August 28 against Edwardsville, Illinois.
Cape Catfish win second straight Prospect League title 6-5 over Rex
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - The Cape Catfish defeated the Terre Haute Rex 6-5 in the Prospect League Championship game at Capaha Field on Sunday night, August 9. With the win, the Catfish claim their second straight Prospect League Championship to make franchise history. The final out was recorded by Perryville native Troy O’Keefe to secure the victory. Catfish outfielder Nate Dorinsky was named tournament MVP.
Terre Haute beats Cape Catfish 10-9 to force a championship series game three
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) -The Terre Haute Rex defeated the Cape Catfish 10-9 Saturday night in the Prospect League Championship Series at Capaha Field to force a deciding game three. The Catfish were seeking back-to-back Prospect League titles for the first time in franchise history, but came up one run short. The two teams will play at 6:35 p.m. Sunday night at Capaha Field for the title.
SEMO Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams will play 16-game OVC schedule
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - The Ohio Valley Conference has announced the SEMO Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams will play a 16-game OVC schedule in the 2026-27 season. The Redhawks open up the league campaign at Eastern Illinois on December 31st and play host to Southern Indiana on January 2nd in their OVC home-opener. Overall, Southeast will play eight games at home and eight on the road.
Catfish defeat Terre Haute 7-6 to pull within one win of 2nd straight Prospect League Championship
TERRE HAUTE, In. (Heartland News) -The Cape Catfish defeated the Terre Haute Rex 7-6 Thursday night on the road to go up 1-0 in their best of 3 Prospect League Championship series. The Catfish scored three runs in the top of the 2nd to take a 3-2 lead and added two more in the 3rd and went on for the one-run victory. Cape relief pitcher Will Lawson closed it out in the 9th, pulling the Catfish within one win of their first back-to-back Prospect League Titles.
Anna-Jonesboro football team hits the practice field for the first time for upcoming season
ANNA, Ill. (Heartland News) - The Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats football team practiced for the first time Wednesday in preparation for the 2026 season. Anna-Jonesboro has 37 players out for the team this year, led by first-year head coach Joel Dallas. The Wildcats kick off the varsity season at home Friday, August 21 against Harrisburg at 7 p.m.
Catfish beat Quincy 8-5 to punch their ticket to the Prospect League Championship Series
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) -The Cape Catfish defeated the Quincy Doggy Paddlers 8-5 Tuesday night at Capaha Field to capture the Western Conference Title and punch their ticket to the Prospect League Championship Series. Next up, the Catfish will play the Terre Haute Rex in a three-game championship series beginning Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Catfish are looking to make it back-to-back Prospect League Titles for the first time in franchise history.
Dalhousie golf pro Connell continues to mentor young players after 40 years of teaching
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) -Dalhousie golf pro Jack Connell has been teaching young golfers for more than four decades and is showing no sign of slowing down. Connell’s golf school brings 75 junior players ages 5-15 to the course twice a week, to work on their golf game and have a lot fun in the process. Connell credits some of his past students for helping him teach these young golfers the fundamentals of the game.
Charleston Fighting Squirrels off to 3-0 start at Babe Ruth World Series
BRANSON, Mo. (KFVS) -The Charleston Fighting Squirrels are off to a 3-0 start at the Senior Babe Ruth Baseball Tournament in Branson. The Squirrels won games over Canada 7-3, Branson 8-3 and Panama 10-0 to advance to the Final 12. Charleston will play top-seeded California Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Also, the Missouri Bulls are 2-1, and the Perfectos are 2-2, both of these teams are from Southeast Missouri.
Cape Catfish set team and Prospect League record with 44th win
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) -The Cape Catfish defeated the Dubois County Bombers 15-1 Thursday night at Capaha Field to set a franchise and Prospect League record with their 44th win of the season. The Catfish led 2-1 into the 4th inning when they broke through with nine runs and never looked back for the double-digit victory. The Catfish will play on the road Friday, before playing their final home game of the regular season on Saturday, and then will host a divisional playoff game on Sunday.
Cape Catfish tie franchise record for wins against Dubois County
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) -The Cape Catfish defeated the Dubois County Bombers 13-7 Wednesday night on the road to tie a franchise record for wins. The Catfish will try to break the record Thursday night at Capaha Field against Dubois County at 6:35 p.m.
SEMO Bruins Babe Ruth team ready for World Series
PERRYVILLE, Mo. (KFVS) -The SEMO Bruins 13U Baseball team is preparing to play in the World Series starting August 13 in Jamestown, New York. The Bruins consist of 11 kids from Perryville, Ste. Genevieve and the Festus area. The team’s run to the World Series started with a State championship in Cape Girardeau, followed by a Midwest Plains Regional in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Next up, the Bruins open World Series play against host Jamestown on August 15.
First-ever Cape Girardeau County Golf Classic ready to tee off
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) - The first-ever Cape Girardeau County Golf Classic will tee off Friday at the Cape Girardeau Country Club and conclude with the 2nd and final round Sunday at the Dalhousie Golf Club. Former Jackson and SIU Golf stand-out Carsen Silliman has played a big role in organizing the event and said over 100-players have registered. Silliman is hoping this tournament will encourage more people to enjoy the game of golf.
SIU Football team kicks off summer practices
CARBONDALE, Ill. (KFVS) - The SIU Football team opened up summer practice on Monday at Saluki Stadium. Coach Nick Hill’s Salukis started at 7:30 a.m., which was about an hour earlier than initially planned to beat the steamy temperatures. SIU is led by senior Quarterback DJ Williams, who is one of the most talented players in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Saxony Lutheran football team attends Catfish game as part of team-building activity
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) -The Saxony Lutheran football squad attended the O’Fallon Hoots at Cape Catfish Prospect League doubleheader Thursday night as part of a team-building activity. 2nd-year Crusaders head coach OJ Turner says his 45-member squad does about five team-building events each year to support the community and add to his squad’s chemistry. The Catfish swept the Hoots to make it 40-wins on the season.
Catfish have 20 game win streak snapped by Thrillbillies
MARION, Ill. (KFVS) - The Cape Catfish saw their 20-game winning streak snapped by the Thrillville Thrillbillies Tuesday night on the road, 15-14. The Catfish led 14-11 going into the bottom of the 9th, but the Thrillbillies rallied with 4 runs to walk it off. Thrillville will host Alton at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The Catfish return home for a doubleheader Thursday against O’Fallon, the first game is at 5:35 p.m.
Cape Central Swimmer named High School All-American
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) - Cape Central High School swimmer Karsynne McAlister was named a High School All-American on Tuesday. McAlister, who won two State Titles for the Lady Tigers and also earned Meet MVP, registered a top 100 time in the 100 Backstroke in the entire nation to claim All-American honors. McAlister will be a junior at Cape Central in the upcoming school year.
Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz gives update on injured running back Ahmad Hardy
TAMPA, Fla. (KFVS) - Missouri head football coach Eli Drinkwitz provided an injury update on star running back Ahmad Hardy on Monday at SEC Media Days. Drinkwitz said Hardy is fully healed and medically cleared from a recent gunshot wound to the leg. And Monday was Hardy’s first day back to a full recovery. Drinkwitz added that Hardy’s timetable to the field still remains unclear. He gave a possible return of 5-8 weeks. Hardy finished last season as one of the top rushers in the FBS.
Heartland twins enjoying greatness on the golf course
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) -A pair of Heartland twin brothers will play at Cape Central next season as they put together an outstanding junior career. 14-year old twins Judge and Brayker Farzan have been swinging a golf club as long as they can remember. “I started at two with plastic clubs and at 3 got my first set of metal clubs,” Brayker Farzan said. “Started real young with plastic clubs in the backyard and at 3 got metal clubs and that’s where it took off from,” said Judge Farzan.
Mo. Bulls win Babe Ruth State Tournament
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) - The Missouri Bulls defeated the Perfectos 3-0 Tuesday night at Cape Central High School to win the Senior Babe Ruth State Baseball Tournament. Also, the Bulls defeated the Fighting Squirrels 10-9, and the Perfectos beat GSR Elite 4-1 in 8 innings in the Semifinals. The Babe Ruth Regional Tournament begins Monday at Hillhouse Park in Charleston.
Special Olympics Volleyball team and Bowler recognized by Cape Girardeau City Council
Special Olympics Volleyball team and Bowler recognized by Cape Girardeau City Council Heartland Sports @ 10 p.m. 7/6 Published: Tue Jul 07 2026|Updated: 5 minutes ago
Jackson racquetball player impacting lives on the court
JACKSON, Mo. (KFVS) -Jackson racquetball player and pastor Jerry Bailey is making a difference on the court. The 77-year-old, who plays at the Mercy Fitness Center-HealthPoint in Jackson, has rarely missed a day of playing in the past 20 years. Bailey is also a huge ambassador for the sport of racquetball and is inviting new people to join him on the court. Bailey and some of his fellow racquetball players hope to continue to grow the sport in the Heartland.
Benton Speedway hosting a racing and fireworks show Friday night
Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google BENTON, Mo. (KFVS) -A night filled with racing and fireworks is set for Friday, July 3 in southeast Missouri. Benton Speedway is hosting the event with hot laps starting at 7 p.m., followed by racing at 8 p.m. The Friday night show is part of the regular schedule of events this summer at Benton Speedway.
Several Catfish and Thrillbillies players make Prospect League All-Star Team
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) - Several Cape Catfish and Thrillville Thrillbillies players made the Prospect League All-Star team, which was announced on Tuesday. Western Conference Prospect League All-Star Team Cape Catfish Players: SS Davis Kessler OF Hayden Nazarenus DH Collin Senkpeil P Noah Johnson Thrillville Thrillbillies Players OF Frederick Ragsdale III OF Hayden Ralls P Klayton Wright The Prospect League All-Star game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, at Loeb Stadium in Lafayette, Indiana.
Senior Babe Ruth State Tournament coming to Hillhouse Park
CHARLESTON, Mo. (KFVS) - The Senior Babe Ruth State Baseball Tournament is coming to Hillhouse Park in Charleston beginning Sunday, July 5. The tourney will feature seven teams playing in a double-elimination bracket. The Charleston Fighting Squirrels will be the host team. The Babe Ruth State Tournament will start on Sunday, July 5, and conclude on Thursday, July 9.
Carbondale powerlifter brings home 4 medals from Special Olympics
MINNEAPOLIS, Mn. Mo. (KFVS) -Carbondale powerlifter Sheridan Coleman claimed four gold medals at the Special Olympics in Minneapolis, concluding on Friday, June 26. Coleman won gold medals in the squat, bench press and overall combo. She also claimed bronze in the deadlift. A couple of Southern Illinois swimmers also made quite a splash in the pool.
Special Olympics volleyball team from southeast Missouri wins silver medal
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. (KFVS) - A Special Olympics volleyball team from southeast Missouri claimed the silver medal Thursday at the USA Games in Minneapolis, MN. Team Missouri won six straight matches before falling to New Jersey in the Gold Medal contest 25-19 and 25-22. Team Missouri has nine players from southeast Mo. and is led by head coach Melody Gardner and assistant coach Sarah Kitchen.
Cape Catfish defeat Decatur to clinch Prospect League playoff berth
DECATUR, IL. (KFVS) -The Cape Catfish defeated the Decatur Bean Ballers 7-1 Thursday on the road to win the first half Division title in the Prospect League and clinch a playoff berth. The Catfish got home runs from Collin Senkpeil and Andres Matias to lead the way in the victory. Next up, the defending Prospect League Champion Catfish will host the Clinton Lumberkings Friday at 6:35 p.m.
Funeral arrangements set for Three Rivers basketball coach Gene Bess
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (KFVS) - Funeral arrangements have been set for Three Rivers Basketball coaching great Gene Bess, who passed away last week at the age of 91. Gene Bess Funeral Information: Friday 6/26 Visitation at First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff from 5-8 p.m. Saturday 6/27: Funeral at First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff at 11 a.m.
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