It is the midway point of the season and there are some very tasty matchups coming up in conference play this weekend.
Undefeated Parkway Central faces its first big test of the season when it travels to Webster Groves on Friday night at Moss Field in a big Suburban South Conference game. The experienced Colts have dominated their first four opponents. In Webster Groves, the Colts will face an opponent that has won two consecutive games after losing their first two to Class 6 contenders Hazelwood Central and Francis Howell.
Speaking of Hazelwood Central, the 4-0 Hawks will host undefeated Ritenour in a Suburban North Conference showdown on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks have one of the area’s most explosive offensive units while the Huskies will counter with a very stout defense. It should be interesting. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
In St. Charles County, Francis Howell and Fort Zumwalt West will square off this weekend in what has annually become the top game in the Gateway Athletic Conference. Both teams are currently 3-1 and are looking strong. Howell has an impressive win over Webster Groves while Fort Zumwalt West took down CBC in its opening game.
In the Metro Catholic Conference, CBC will host Vianney on Friday in what will be a most interesting game. CBC (3-1) has been among the area’s elite teams in recent years. Meanwhile, Vianney (3-1) is trying to get a piece of the action. The Golden Griffins defeated SLUH last Friday night to win their first MCC game in four years. They also have the area’s top offensive player in senior tailback Markel Smith.
In the Metro East, O’Fallon will host Belleville West in a big Southwestern Conference matchup on Saturday afternoon. O’Fallon (3-1) is coming off a big 10-6 victory at East St. Louis last weekend while West is off to a quick start at 4-0 with its variety of offensive weapons.
In the tough Metro League, John Burroughs (4-0) will host MICDS (3-1) on Saturday in the renewal of one of the area’s top small school rivalries. The Bombers have continued their excellent run of success in winning four games in dominating fashion. Meanwhile, the Rams are rebounding nicely from a 1-9 season a year ago. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.
If you want a nice non-conference game, DeSmet will head to Mid-Missouri on Friday night to visit Jefferson City. DeSmet rolled off two impressive victories after two close losses to open the season while the Jays will try to rebound from its first loss of the season to Hazelwood East last weekend.
It should be a tremendous week of high school football. Enjoy.
Stunning comebackÂ
Hazelwood East pulled off a tremendous fourth-quarter comeback to stun visiting Jefferson City 32-22 last Saturday. The Spartans trailed 22-12 going into the fourth quarter, but they hit the Jays with a 21-0 blitz in the final stanza to take the victory and improve to 3-1. Senior Jimmy Jones scored the last two touchdowns for East. Senior quarterback Brandon Brice threw three touchdown passes and ran for another.
Four TDs for CrumpÂ
McCluer South-Berkeley’s Andre Crump had 280 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a 52-7 victory over Clayton. Crump scored on runs of 11,2, 4 and 80 to lead the Bulldogs, who are now 3-1.
Overtime victoryÂ
Miller Career Academy improved to 4-0 with a 28-22 overtime victory over Gateway Tech. Marquis Stewart rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime on a 15-yard run.
(You can watch Earl Austin Jr. on the KTVI-Fox 2 Prep Zone every Friday night at 10:20 p.m.)
