It is the 30th anniversary of a great Hazelwood East football team that won the Class 5 state championship.
That Spartans team was full of talented players as several of them went on to play collegiate football with a few of them making it all the way to the National Football League.
The current Hazelwood East team has been doing some positive things to try to keep that tradition alive. The Spartans are 2-0 under the direction of head coach Bobby Cole, who is a 2003 graduate of Hazelwood East. The Spartans have averaged nine victories in the last three seasons under Cole.
Hazelwood East has looked impressive in its two one-sided victories to open the season. The Spartans defeated Hazelwood West 45-0, then followed up with a 40-6 victory over Parkway Central last Thursday.
“We are a senior-heavy team this year,” Cole said. “Many of them have three or four years of varsity experience. So now, it’s coming to a head in their senior seasons, and it’s starting off the right way.”
The showcase player at East is senior running back Terrance Little, who has been tremendous so far with 524 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. He rushed for 262 yards and scored five touchdowns against Hazelwood West. He followed up with 262 yards and four more scores against Parkway Central.
“It’s a testament to the work he’s put in during the offseason,” Cole said of Little. “He does a great job in the weight room. He has the natural stature of a running back. He’s short, stocky and explosive.”
New to the offense is junior quarterback Tyshawn Tillman, who is an athletic duel-threat performer who runs well and who also has a strong throwing arm. He rushed for a pair of touchdowns against Parkway Central. Senior Dion Hentz is a big-play performer on both sides of the ball. On successive plays against Parkway Central, he had an interception on defense, then he hauled in an acrobatic catch for 37 yards on offense.
The defensive line is anchored by senior Oscar Chatman, who is a disruptive force for the Spartans. He stays in the opposing team’s backfield throughout the game. He was a Class 5 All-State performer as a junior last season.
After two impressive home victories to start the season, the Spartans will go on the road for the next month with games against McCluer, Ladue, Marquette and Parkway North.
Standout performers from Week 2 in high school football
- Junior quarterback Phoenix Isaiah of Lift for Life completed 17 of 29 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another score in the Hawks’ 22-14 victory over Cahokia.
- Senior quarterback Nick McClellan of CBC completed 10 of 19 for 191 yards and one touchdown, and rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns in the Cadets’ 34-12 victory over Cardinal Ritter.
- Junior receiver Travis Shores Jr. of Kirkwood had eight receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown in the Pioneers’ 42-7 victory over Pattonville.
- Senior running back Jordan Taylor of SLUH rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown in the Jr. Bills’ 35-0 victory over Hillsboro.
- Sophomore Anthony Busby of SLUH had 13 tackles and two quarterback sacks in the Jr. Bills’ 35-0 victory over Hillsboro.
- Junior running back Steven Brown of Althoff rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns in the Crusaders’ 42-26 victory over Highland.
- Senior running back Jaylen Ballard of Francis Howell rushed for 225 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings’ 28-7 victory over Fort Zumwalt North. He scored on runs of 91, 96 and three yards.
- Senior running back Manny Ellis of Cardinal Ritter scored on a 93-yard kickoff return and a 99-yard run in the Lions’ 34-12 loss to CBC.
- Senior wide receiver Maqell Campbell of North Point had seven receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns in the Grizzlies’ 20-17 victory over Holt.