District championships are on the line this weekend as the Missouri high school playoffs continue. Here is a preview of this weekend’s district finals.
Class 6
District 1: Lafayette (6-5) at Kirkwood (9-1), Friday, 7 p.m. – The two teams met on September 6 with Kirkwood taking a 49-28 decision. However, the game was tied at 21-21 late in the third quarter before the Pioneers pulled away. Kirkwood has a multi-faceted offense with quarterbacks Will Hadler and Reece Goddard leading the way. Jerod Alton and Robert Columbus are standout backs while Armonte Mason is the leading receiver. Lafayette’s senior quarterback Cameron Scales is having an excellent season with 19 touchdown passes. His top target is younger brother Brendan Scales, a 6’4” 240-pound tight end, who has nine TD receptions.
District 2: Hazelwood Central (11-0) at CBC (11-0), Friday, 7 p.m. – The clash of unbeaten area titans who will renew their spirited playoff rivalry. The host Cadets are averaging 51 points a game while giving up only eight. Running backs Tre Bryant, Calen Taylor and Lamar Anderson are big play threats, as is receiver Mike Million. Junior quarterback Blake Charlton is at the controls. The Hawks are led by senior quarterback Mike Glass, who has thrown of 2,185 yards and 17 touchdowns. Junior athlete Xavier Sneed leads a talented group of receivers while senior running back Kevin Batt is also back from a broken foot injury that sidelined him for several weeks.
District 3: Jefferson City (9-2) at Francis Howell (10-0), Friday, 7 p.m. – The perennial powers from Mid-Missouri will pay a visit to a powerful Francis Howell team that has been dominant on both sides of the ball. Senior tailback Sutton Smith leads Howell’s offense with more than 1,800 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns. The Howell defense is experienced and one of the best in the state.
Class 5
District 1: Vianney (7-4) at Jackson (10-1), Friday, 7 p.m. – A rematch from early September, where Jackson came to St. Louis to take a 30-23 victory. This time, the venue is at Jackson’s home field, known as “The Pit.” The Indians barely squeaked by Oakville in overtime last weekend. Vianney has been led by freshman quarterback Tionne Harris, who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and passed for more than 1,000 yards with a total of 25 TDs.
District 2: Ladue (10-1) at Webster Groves (7-1), Friday, 7 p.m. – The host Statesmen held off McCluer North 42-35 to advance to the finals. They are led by senior quarterback Rob Thompson, who has thrown 23 TDs, and Mizzou recruit Cameron Hilton. Ladue is having an excellent year in its move up to Class 5. The Rams are led by quarterback/kicker Jack Fox and big play threat Daylen Edwards.
District 3: Fort Zumwalt East (8-3) at Fort Zumwalt North (9-1), Friday, 7 p.m. – The two teams played a barnburner on September 18 with North taking a 28-27 victory. The host Panthers are led by running back Deon Lewis, who has rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns. East has one of the area’s top offensive threats in quarterback Shane Barrett, who has more than 3,400 yards of total offense and 44 touchdowns.
Class 4
District 1: Hillsboro (9-2) at Cape Girardeau Central (10-1), Friday, 7 p.m. – A rematch from last year’s district championship game, which was won by Cape Central. Hillsboro advanced with a tough 21-10 victory over Jefferson County rival Festus last weekend. Senior Chris Walsh has scored 23 touchdowns for the Hawks.
District 2: Gateway STEM (7-4) at Affton (11-0), Friday, 7 p.m. – Host Affton has been rolling along all season. The Cougars are led by running back Jordan Siegel’s 25 touchdown and athletic quarterback DeVontae Burse. Gateway advanced with a 7-6 upset over top seed Miller Career Academy. Dominique Holman has rushed for 1,372 yards.
District 3: Jennings (9-2) at St. Charles West (9-2), Friday, 7 p.m. – The host Warriors are riding a nine-game winning streak behind senior tailback Drew Lauer and his 31 touchdowns. Dre Kelly is also a big play running back. Jennings has a stout defense led by linebacker Marcus McGhee and defensive lineman Jabriel Green. Nicholas Hally and Bobby Sanders have combined for 27 TDs on offense.
District 4: Borgia (10-1) at Westminster (10-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. – The two teams met three weeks ago with Westminster taking a 35-14 victory at Borgia. The host Wildcats are led by senior quarterback Brendan Bognar (2,292 yards, 22 TD passes) and sophomore skilled players Steve Webb and Dyllan Conway. Borgia advanced to the finals with a dramatic 50-43 victory over Union last Friday. Borgia trailed 37-14 at halftime before pulling off the stunning second-half rally.
Class 3
District 2: DuBourg (7-4) at John Burroughs (10-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. – Perennial power John Burroughs is led by senior running back John Moten, who has scored 27 touchdowns. Senior quarterback Tre Moore has passed for 31 touchdowns. DuBourg advanced to the finals with a exciting 57-50 victory over Soldan. Maurion Warren rushed for 315 yards for the Cavs.
Class 2
District 2: Herculaneum (8-3) at Cardinal Ritter (5-6), Friday, 7 p.m. – The host Lions have a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Naeem Moore and Jaylen McLemore. They have combined to scored 25 touchdowns.
District 5: Hermann (9-2) at Lutheran North (10-1), Saturday, noon – The host Crusaders are led by senior running back Carl Thomas (19 touchdowns) and senior quarterback Justin Baker (19 TD passes). Hermann defeated unbeaten Brentwood to get to the finals. Garrett Leimkuehler has scored 25 touchdowns.
