The postseason begins this weekend for Missouri teams with district playoff games across the state. Every team in the state is guaranteed a game in Week 10 in the single-elimination format of district play. Here is a brief summary of the upcoming districts involving St. Louis area teams. For a complete list of district brackets, visit the Missouri State High School Activities Association website at www.mshsaa.org.
Class 6
District 1: No. 1 Seed, CBC. Top contenders; SLUH, Hazelwood Central. Earl’s Prediction: (CBC) Cadets begin defense of their state championship.
District 2: No. 1 Seed, Eureka. Top contenders; Kirkwood, Lafayette, Marquette. Earl’s Prediction: Kirkwood. Pioneers took their first loss in the regular season finale at SLUH. A good wake-up call for the playoffs.
District 3: No. 1 Seed, Francis Howell. Top contenders; Blue Springs South, Jefferson City. Earl’s Prediction: Francis Howell. A tough district final awaits the Vikings in either undefeated Blue Springs South or one-loss Jefferson City.
Class 5
District 1: No. 1 Seed, Fox. Top contenders; Summit, Vianney, Jackson. Earl’s Prediction: Vianney. Griffins get the edge in a wide open district of quality teams.
District 2: No. 1 Seed, Chaminade. Top contenders; Ladue, Pattonville. Earl’s Prediction: Chaminade. Red Devils come out on top of this hotly-contested district.
District 3: No. 1 Seed, Fort Zumwalt North. Top contenders; Parkway Central, Parkway North, Fort Zumwalt South. Earl’s Prediction; Fort Zumwalt North. Another very challenging district field.
Class 4
District 1: No. 1 Seed, Hillsboro. Top contenders; Cape Central, Sikeston. Earl’s Prediction: Hillsboro. Hawks come through with their powerful rushing attack.
District 2: No. 1 Seed, Affton. Top contenders; Gateway Tech, Vashon. Earl’s Prediction: Gateway Tech. Jaguars get the edge in this very competitive district.
District 3: No. 1 Seed, Clayton. Top contenders; St. Charles West, University City. Earl’s Prediction: St. Charles West. Warriors have retooled and are playing some good football as of late.
District 4: No. 1 Seed, Westminster. Top contenders; Borgia, St. Clair. Earl’s Prediction: Westminster. Undefeated Wildcats are strong favorites in this one.
Class 3
District 2: No. 1 Seed, John Burroughs. Top contenders; Soldan, McCluer South-Berkeley. Earl’s Prediction: John Burroughs. Bombers begin their quest to another appearance at the Dome.
Class 2
District 2: No. 1 Seed, Cardinal Ritter. Top contenders; Carnahan, Jefferson. Earl’s Prediction: Cardinal Ritter. Lions should dominate with its explosive ground game.
District 5: No. 1 Seed, Brentwood. Top contenders, Lutheran North, Trinity, Lutheran (St. Charles), Hermann. Earl’s Prediction: Lutheran North. A surging Crusaders outfit should take this very good district field.
