The football programs at Hazelwood Central, Parkway Central and Lafayette have enjoyed a strong winning tradition for many years. After three weeks of the 2015 season, there seemed to be more questions than answers as all three teams were sitting at 1-2.
One month later, all three of these proud programs seemed to have found those answers as they are now 5-2 and riding a four-game winning streak.
Hazelwood Central took down Suburban XII North foes McCluer, Riverview Gardens, McCluer North and Hazelwood East during its streak. The most dramatic victory came last Saturday against their rivals from East when the Hawks rallied from a 20-0 deficit to take a 40-20 victory. Junior running back Demontez Clark has been the catalyst of a young Hawks’ team with more than 1,000 yards rushing at 19 touchdowns, including six against East last weekend.
Parkway Central turned around its season in Week 4 with a huge 27-21 victory over a talented Ladue team. The Colts then followed up with victories over Parkway West, University City and Clayton, who all have winning records. The Colts have a talented pair of sophomore running backs in Jaden Mitchell and Eddie Ross who have combined for nearly 1,200 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Mitchell Goldenberg has eight touchdown passes. Senior Cooper Lohkamp has nine quarterback sacks to lead the defense. The Colts face their toughest test of the season on Friday night against undefeated Fort Zumwalt North.
Lafayette’s 1-2 start could be attributed to a tough early-season schedule as its losses were to Eureka and Kirkwood, who are both still undefeated. The Lancers have defeated Marquette, Lindbergh, Oakville and Parkway South on its current streak. Senior Brendan Scales, an Alabama recruit has three touchdowns on offense as a tight end and seven sacks on defense as a defensive end. Running back Tanner German has rushed for 793 yards and 16 touchdowns while quarterback Trevor McMurray has thrown for 1,015 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Injury reportÂ
A pair of talented running backs on both sides of the river saw their senior seasons and careers come to an end in the past two weeks due to injuries. Ladue’s Daylen Edwards suffered a broken ankle in the Rams’ victory at Parkway West last Friday night. Edwards had rushed for 925 yards and seven touchdowns this season. As a junior, he rushed for 1,320 yards in leading the Rams to the Class 5 semifinals. Highland’s Andrew Winning suffered a torn ACL in the Bulldogs victory over Waterloo two weeks ago. Winning had rushed for 803 yards and 18 touchdowns at the time of his injury.
Earl’s Pick Game of the WeekÂ
Pattonville (5-2) at Kirkwood (6-0), Friday, 7 p.m. – Another big showdown in the rugged Suburban XII South Division. The Pioneers remained undefeated after their impressive 42-2 victory over Ritenour. Quarterback Reece Goddard accounted for four touchdowns for Kirkwood. The Pioneers’ defense has allowed only 15 point in the last two games. Pattonville is coming off a 20-7 victory over Rockwood Summit. The Pirates welcomed back sophomore quarterback Kaleb Eleby, who had missed a couple of weeks with a wrist injury. Eleby has thrown for 1,213 yards and 15 touchdowns. Anthony Green has been an excellent all-purpose performer as a quarterback, receiver and running back. He has 10 touchdowns. Linebackers Jordan Wilkes and Rico Anthony lead the Pirates defense.
Another Game of IntrigueÂ
Lutheran North (3-4) at Trinity (6-1), Friday, 7 p.m. – A very interesting matchup between two talented Class 2 teams. Trinity is rolling through an impressive season with its talented group of freshmen and sophomores. Lutheran North’s record is deceiving because their losses have come to the likes of SLUH, John Burroughs, Westminster and Clayton. They are starting to put things together, having scored more than 100 points in their last two games.
Top Games of the WeekÂ
Highland (6-0) at Triad (6-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
CBC (7-0) at Christian Brothers at Memphis, Friday, 7 p.m.
Gateway Tech (7-0) vs. Miller Career Academy (5-2) at Sumner, Friday, 7 p.m.
SLUH (5-2) at Lafayette (5-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
Fort Zumwalt South (6-1) at Fort Zumwalt East (3-4), Friday, 7 p.m.
Fort Zumwalt North (7-0) at Parkway Central (5-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
Westminster (7-0) at Christian-O’Fallon (4-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Ritenour (3-3) at Parkway North (5-2), Saturday, 1 p.m.
Ladue (5-2) at University City (4-3), Saturday, 1 p.m.
