The 2007 college football season contiues to be the Year of the Tiger with the University of Missouri ascending to the No. 1 ranking in the country for the first time in 47 years.
Mizzou Tiger Nation is really off the chain after that thrilling victory over arch-rival Kansas last weekend in Kansas City. The Tigers will face Oklahoma in the Big XII Conference championship game with a berth in the BCS National Championship game awaiting them if they are successful in avenging their only defeat of the season.
It has truly been a special season in Columbia, and I would like to salute the athletes from St. Louis who have played a big part in making the Tigers the No. 1 team in the country. The success of these young men in such a historical season can really open the floodgates to Columbia for the top athletes in St. Louis.
Obviously, it starts with redshirt freshman Jeremy Maclin from Kirkwood, who continues to be spectacular. His NCAA freshman record for all-purpose yardage now stands at 2,509 yards (209 yards per game). He has also scored 16 touchdowns while having Tiger fans hold their collective breath every time he touches the ball in anticipation of something special happening.
Senior William “Helicopter” Franklin from Vashon has 42 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns in Mizzou’s offense that features so many weapons. Franklin has enjoyed a very productive career at Mizzou with 136 receptions for 2,029 yards and 13 touchdowns.
On defense, Carl Gettis (Fort Zumwalt West), Darnell Terrell (Eureka) and Hardy Ricks (Brentwood) have been consistent performers in the defensive backfield. Gettis started several games as a true frehman. He has 39 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. Terrell has 39 tackles as well while Ricks has 20 tackles. Together, they have added to the Tigers’ great athleticism on the defensive side of the ball.
Over the years, we’ve tried to keep up with what the local talent was doing around the country. So, it is especially gratifying to see local stars staying home to help the local school achieve greatness.
Events on tap
There are couple of special events on tap for next weekend.
On Friday, Dec. 7, the Jonathan Earl Jones Foundation will present the J-Rock with Jesus Gospel Concert. The event will be held at the COCA/Center of Creative Arts in University City (524 Trinity Ave) in University City. The event is named after Jones, a.k.a. “J-Rock,” a young basketball player who died of cancer last year at the age of 14. Donations for the event are for $10 or $5 for children under 12. Proceeds will go to research for children’s cancer. For more information, call Phyllis Jones (314) 727-0798 or Janet Denwood at (314) 830-0012.
On Saturday, Dec. 8, you can get your high school basketball fix at the Midwest Showdown High School Basketball Shootout, which will be held at the Mark Twain Building at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
The seven-game event features top teams and players from around the country. The schedule goes as follows:
Game 1: Hancock vs. Springfield Lanphier, 11 a.m., Game 2: Oakville vs. Bloomington (Ill.); Game 3: Milestone Christian Academy vs. Nashville Christian Advancement Academy; Game 4: Normandy vs. Memphis Melrose; Game 5: McCluer South-Berkeley vs. Memphis Mitchell; Game 6: Gateway Tech vs. Chicago Foreman; Game 7: IMG Academy (Fla.) vs. Urban Christian Academy (Ga.).
Some of the top local players to watch at this event are Normandy’s Anthony James, McCluer South-Berkeley shot-blocking phenom Abel Tillman, Gateway Tech’s versatile Jesse Perry and former Fort Zumwalt West standout Jared Swopshire, who is now attending IMG Academy.
Tickets are on sale for $10 in advance at the participating schools and $12 at the door. In next week’s American, we will have a complete run-down of the event.
Order Earl
Be sure to order your copy of The PHL in the STL: The Public High League, A St. Louis Basketball Legacy. If you are a fan of high school basketball, especially the history of the great Public High League, this publication is a must for you. You can go on-line and order your copy at www.earlaustinjr.com. The book will be out in about three weeks.
