There is only one thing better than having an early non-conference showdown between area powerhouse programs. It’s better when that showdown far exceeds all of the pre-game hype.
Such was the case last Saturday night when East St. Louis edged CBC 32-28 in the featured game of the Gateway Scholars Classic at a jam-packed Clyde C. Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis. The game qualifies as an instant classic, complete with sparkling individual performances and a dramatic finish.
The outcome was decided until the game’s closing seconds when East Side’s Jarrell Anderson scored on a 10-yard run for the game-winner. Anderson’s winning touchdown put the finishing touches on a 40-carry, 235-yard performance.
CBC junior Kamryn Babb put on a show on both sides of the ball for the Cadets. The junior standout caught six passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns on offense. He also had two interceptions on defense.
For CBC, there is very little time to lick its wounds after a tough loss to the Flyers. Making a visit to CBC on Friday night will be Chaminade in a big Metro Catholic Conference showdown. Both teams played for state championships last season. The Cadets defeated Chaminade 55-7 in last year’s meeting.
Shootout in PattonvilleÂ
One of the most entertaining games of last weekend was Eureka’s 48-45 victory at Pattonville in a real offensive shootout. If you love offense and didn’t mind staying out well into the late evening, Pattonville was the place to be last Friday night. Not only did the two teams combine for 93 points, they also amassed a total of 1,053 yards from scrimmage. Quarterbacks Kaleb Eleby of Pattonville and Michael Orso of Eureka passed for a combined 762 yards and nine touchdowns. Eleby passed for 423 yards and four touchdowns while Orso threw for 339 yards and five touchdowns.
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McCluer South-Berkeley is 3-0Â
McCluer South-Berkeley has been impressive in moving out to a 3-0 start. The big highlight for the Bulldogs was their 30-12 victory over McCluer North in a first-ever battle of Ferguson-Florissant district schools. The Bulldogs feature one of the area’s top collegiate prospects in senior Jordan Cole, who excels at wide receiver and defensive back. In a 40-12 victory over Orchard Farm last weekend, senior Tavion Willis threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score. McCluer South-Berkeley will visit rival Jennings on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Top performancesÂ
Here are a few top performances from last weekend’s action:
Quarterback Jordan Jackson of Ladue passed for 327 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Rams to a 28-20 victory over Webster Groves.
Wide receiver Jordan Sommerville of Lutheran North had 10 receptions for 227 yards and a touchdown in the Crusaders’ 24-21 victory over Westminster Christian.
Running back Donnell Hawkins of Francis Howell North rushed for 210 yards on 24 carries and scored three touchdowns in the Knights’ 43-27 victory over Fort Zumwalt South.
Wide receiver Keiondre Jordan of MICDS caught three passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams’ 28-20 victory at Lutheran South.
Top games of the weekÂ
Chaminade at CBC, Friday, 7 p.m.
Lindbergh at Lafayette, Friday, 7 p.m.
Ladue at Parkway Central, Friday, 7 p.m.
Borgia at St. Dominic, Friday, 7 p.m.
Marquette at Eureka, Friday, 7 p.m.
Fort Zumwalt East at Fort Zumwalt North, Friday, 7 p.m.
Hillsboro at Festus, Friday, 7p.m.
DeSmet at SLUH, Friday, 7 p.m.
Ritenour at Webster Groves, Friday, 7 p.m.
Westminster at John Burroughs, Saturday, 1 p.m.
McCluer South-Berkeley at Jennings, Saturday, 2 p.m.
Hazelwood East at Hazelwood Central, Saturday, 1 p.m.
