The Ladue Rams have high expectations after last season’s run to the Class 5 state semifinals. Those dreams were tempered a little during the opening week when Ladue was upended 17-14 by Farmington in their home opener. The second week was a different story as the Rams drubbed Jennings 54-13 in an early conference showdown.
A big difference in the Rams performance between their first and second games was the availability of senior running back Daylen Edwards.
The 5’10” 190-pound pound Edwards was injured during the preseason and played only sparingly in the second half in the loss to Farmington. Against Jennings, Edwards was a dominant performer despite carrying the ball only six times. Those six carries produced 140 yards rushing and three touchdowns on runs of 79, 35 and seven yards. When Edwards is going strong, it changes everything for Ladue as they break in a couple of new quarterbacks in talented sophomore Jordan Jackson and junior Evan Mack. Edwards was a huge part of Ladue’s success last season as a junior when he rushed for 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns in the Rams’ 12-2 season.
Late-game dramaÂ
There were a couple of dramatic last-second endings to games that spiced up the weekend in the area. On Friday night, Belleville Althoff escaped with a 25-22 victory over upset-minded Collinsville with a last-minute drive in the opener for both teams. The Crusaders mounted an 80-yard drive in the last one minute and 58 seconds to post the exciting victory. Jordan Augustine connected with Edwyn Brown on a 15-yard touchdown pass with 15 seconds left to give the Crusaders the victory.
Saturday afternoon’s game between Webster Groves and Hazelwood East provided an even more heart-stopping finish. Webster Groves trailed 12-7 and had one final play left to try to take the victory. That’s when quarterback John Doria hit receiver John Thomas with a 26-yard touchdown with no time remaining to give the Statesmen an improbable 13-13 victory over the visiting Spartans.
Milestone weekendÂ
Some area coaches reached milestone victories last weekend. SLUH coach Gary Kornfeld picked up career victory No. 200 last Friday night when his Jr. Bills defeated Lutheran North 42-13. Kornfeld ties his predecessor Paul Martell with 200 career wins. On the same day, Bob Bunton of Parkway North achieved career victory No. 100 as his Vikings defeated host McCluer 33-12. Both coaches have done an excellent job of producing winning teams and quality players over the years. They are good men as well. Congratulations for the special achievements.
Moore, Moore, MooreÂ
Senior running back Naeem Moore of Cardinal Ritter is off to a tremendous start of the 2015 campaign. In two games, Moore has rushed for 498 yards and five touchdowns. Last weekend, the 6’0” 205-pound Moore rushed for 288 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-6 victory over Lift For Life. In the Lions’ opener, Moore rushed for 210 yards and scored on an interception return in a 33-6 loss to perennial power John Burroughs.
Lions roar earlyÂ
The University City Lions are off to a nice 2-0 start with victories over Hazelwood East (23-14) and McCluer South-Berkeley (47-8). U. City’s offense has been led by quarterback Keandre Bledsoe, who has rushed for 185 yards and passed for 303 yards in two games. Bledsoe rushed for 115 yards and three touchdowns against Berkeley last Saturday. He had 260 yards of total offense and a pair of touchdowns against Hazelwood East. Keeson Taylor also had a big game against Berkeley with 104 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The Lions will host a talented McCluer North team on Friday at 4:15 p.m.
Earl’s Game of the WeekÂ
SLUH at Vianney, Friday, 7 p.m. – It’s the Metro Catholic Conference opener for both schools. SLUH and Vianney are out of the gate quickly with impressive 2-0 starts. SLUH is led by junior running back Andrew Clair who has rushed for 330 yards and seven touchdowns. Quarterback Mitchell Batschelett has five touchdown passes. Seniors David Jackson and Daniel Isom are big-play performers on both sides of the ball. Vianney has one of the area’s top sophomores in quarterback Tionne Harris, who has rushed for 191 yards and passed for 450 yards. Senior Devin Marty has rushed for 252 yards and four touchdowns.
Top games this weekÂ
Kirkwood (2-0) at Lafayette (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Parkway North (2-0) at Parkway Central (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
McCluer North (0-2) at University City (2-0), Friday, 4:15 p.m.
CBC (2-0) at Fort Zumwalt West (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Parkway West (2-0) at Summit (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
Althoff (1-0) at Helias (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Priory (2-0) at John Burroughs (2-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.
Lombard Montini (1-1) at East St. Louis (1-0), Saturday, 6 p.m.
Lutheran South (2-0) at MICDS (1-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
Vashon (2-0) vs. Cleveland (0-2) at Sumner, Saturday, 10 a.m.
McCluer South-Berkeley (1-1) at Ladue (1-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
