Small school showdowns
Of the St. Louis American
Some very important games in the Metro East along with an unexpected showdown between small schools will highlight this weekend’s action.
Clayton (3-1) at Jennings (4-0), Sat. noon – This Suburban East clash features the defending league champs from Clayton against one of the area’s top turnaround stories in Jennings. After a 2-8 season, the Warriors are out of the gate quickly at 4-0 under first-year coach Todd Waller. Jennings features a talented group of skilled position players in Mike Heard (five touchdowns), Darryl Grady and Frank Williams (four TDs each) and quarterback Robert Thompson, who has thrown for five TDs. Clayton is coming off its first loss of the season last week against powerful MICDS. The Greyhounds will try to hold off the upstart Warriors and begin their quest for another Suburban East title.
Edwardsville (5-0) at Alton (3-2), Fri, 7 p.m. – Edwardsville is back on track after a losing season in 2005. The Tigers will take their undefeated record into Public Schools Stadium for this key Southwestern Conference clash. The Tigers have found offensive punch from senior tailback E.J. Jones, who has rushed for xx yards and scored 15 touchdowns. Alton is coming off an emotional 40-32 double-overtime victory at East St. Louis last weekend. It was Alton’s first win at East Side in 30 years. The Redbirds got 145 yards rushing from tailback Marcus Clemmons and three rushing touchdowns and one touchdown pass from junior quarterback Kavon Lacey.
East St. Louis (3-2) at O’Fallon (4-1), Fri. 7 p.m. – Another big Southwestern Conference game between the defending league champion Panthers and East Side, who won the league title two years ago. East St. Louis is facing a must-win situation after their heartbreaking overtime loss to Alton last weekend while O’Fallon will try to remain undefeated in league play. The Flyers will bring plenty of firepower with tailback Jaious Singleton (629 yards, 12 touchdowns) and quarterback Derek Johnson (1,001 yards passing and 15 touchdowns). O’Fallon will counter with an excellent ground game led by Duane Bennett, who has rushed for 829 yards and 12 touchdowns. O’Fallon also has one of the area’s top kickers in Kevin Kinsall, who is a major college prospect.
Hazelwood West (3-1) at Hazelwood Central (3-1), Sat. 1 p.m. – Hazelwood West looked like a team ready to challenge the big boys in the Suburban North, but the Wildcats stubbed their toes against Riverview Gardens and suffered their first loss of the season. They must now face the Hawks, who are one of the most talented teams in the area. Both teams have outstanding offensive lines. West will try to grind the Hawks with its loaded stable of running backs such as LaMark Brown and Kendall Davis, while the Hawks will counter with its no-huddle offense led by quarterback Daron Putnam. Neither team wants a second conference loss.
McCluer North (3-1) at Pattonville (3-1), Sat. 1 p.m. – McCluer North took a 55-20 whipping from Hazelwood East to suffer its first loss of the season. The Stars won’t have much time to lick their wounds as they must visit a much-improved Pattonville team. The Pirates have the top two rushers in the Suburban North in quarterback Dennis Bowen and tailback Nate Orlando. Bowen rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns while Orlando had 202 yards and two touchdowns in Pattonville’s 47-20 victory at Ritenour. Both teams are trying to keep pace in the conference race and not get a second loss.
Mighty Martavis
Cahokia High junior Martavis Hines was all over the field in the Comanches’ 50-24 victory at previously undefeated Carbondale last Friday night. Hines rushed for 195 yards, caught a 74-yard touchdown reception on a screen pass, and threw an 84-yard touchdown pass as a quarterback.
Varsity Whittier
In his first varsity start, Webster Groves sophomore quarterback Mike Whittier passed for 291 yards and one touchdown in the Statesmen’s 35-0 victory over Seckman.
District of undefeateds
The four teams that make up the Class 6, District 2 field will make things very interesting when they start to meet each other during the final three weeks of the season. The district is made up of Kirkwood (3-0), SLUH (4-0), Lindbergh (4-0), and Vianney (4-0). Vianney introduced itself to the fray last week by handling DeSmet 51-20 in a Metro Catholic Conference game.
On the hoops front
Vashon High senior Bobby Hill gave a verbal commitment to attend Illinois State next fall. The versatile 6’5″ forward-guard has been a two-year starter for the Wolverines, who have a record of 60-1 record during the past two years. As a junior, Hill averaged 9.3 points and 5.7 rebounds while playing all three perimeter positions for Vashon, who finished 29-1 and finished second I the Missouri Class 5 state tournament. Hill chose Illinois State over Bradley, Wichita State and Houston.
