We had some pretty dramatic comebacks in the area during last weekend’s prep football action. The biggest came on Friday night when East St. Louis staged a fourth-quarter rally to stun O’Fallon 23-22 and knock the Panthers from the ranks of the unbeaten. O’Fallon entered the game at 5-0 and dominating every team in their path.Â
The Panthers led 22-8 in the fourth quarter, but the Flyers came back and scored two touchdowns in the last five minutes to pull of the improbable victory. Senior quarterback Lamontiez Ivy spearheaded the rally with a touchdown pass and a late TD run. The deciding point was scored by senior kicker Jeremy Nicholson, who converted a 35-yard extra point after the Flyers were whistled for a 15-yard penalty after Ivy’s game-tying touchdown.
It was a huge win for a young East Side team that had been battling some key injuries early in the season. The Flyers also pulled into a three-way tie in the Southwestern Conference with Belleville East and O’Fallon, who are still yet to play.
On Saturday, McCluer North pulled off some similar dramatics as it rallied for a 38-36 victory over Hazelwood East in a Suburban North Conference showdown. Hazelwood East had a commanding 36-24 lead in the fourth quarter, but the Stars rallied for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Senior quarterback Galen Brown tossed two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to complete the rally and give the Stars their fifth consecutive victory. A three-year starter, Brown finished the game with 197 yards passing and three touchdowns.
Granite City also enjoyed a big comeback on Friday night as it rallied to defeat Collinsville 24-21. The Warriors trailed 21-9 in the fourth quarter, but junior tailback Kaprix Sloan scored a pair of touchdowns to bring his team back for the win.
Pioneers on roll
I got my first opportunity to see the Kirkwood Pioneers in action last week. They were impressive in their 40-21 victory over Parkway Central in a battle of undefeated teams. Kirkwood played most of the game without its star Division I reruit Mike McHugh, who injured his shoulder. It did not matter. Other weapons emerged on offense, including tailbacks Ramon Alton and Kendall and quarterbacks Jordan Bishop and B.J. Bucker to keep the Pioneers rolling along.
Williams to Henry
University City is struggling this season with a 1-5 record, but the Lions have one of the area’s top passing combinations in quarterback Deandre Williams and wide receiver Alex Henry. They have been bright spots for the Lions this season with their big-play capability. Williams has completed 84 of 150 passes for 1,390 yards and 13 touchdowns. The 6’3″ Henry has hauled in 37 receptions for 807 yards and nine touchdowns. He is averaging 21.8 yards per reception.
Season wraps up
This will be the final weekend of football on the Missouri side before the district playoffs begin. The final three weeks of the season (Weeks 7-10) will constitute the district playoffs and everyone will begin with a clean slate.
What’s on tap this weekend
Miller Career Academy (6-0) vs. DeSmet (5-1) at Sumner, Thursday, 4:30 p.m. – An intriging non-conference game featuring PHL power Career Academy against the Spartans. Career Academy pulled off a big upset last season when it won at DeSmet 20-17.
MICDS (6-0) vs. Lutheran North (5-1) at SLUH, Thursday, 7 p.m.- An ABC League showdown featuring the top-ranked Rams against the resurgent Crusaders. MICDS can clinch the league title with a victory while a Lutheran North win will forge a three-way tie with John Burroughs.
SLUH (3-3) at Eureka (5-1), Friday, 7 p.m. – Eureka is on a roll with five consecutive victories while the Junior Bills are always a threat with its high-powered offense.
CBC (6-0) at Chaminade (3-2), Friday, 7 p.m. – The undefeated Cadets will try to lock up the Metro Catholic Conference title against the Red Devils.
Granite City (3-3) at East St. Louis (4-2), Friday, 7 p.m. – Coming off it their great comeback victory over O’Fallon last week, East Side will take on an improved Granite City team that had a big comeback win over Collinsville.
Ritenour (6-0) at Hazelwood East (3-3), Saturday, 1 p.m. – This season’s surprise team from Ritenour will try to keep its undefeated season going when it travels to Hazelwood East and its powerful offense.
