Miller Career Academy is off to another strong start this season. After suffering an opening-season loss to powerful CBC, the Phoenix have reeled off four consecutive victories and they look like one of the teams to beat in the Public High League.
The Phoenix are led by senior running back Kerel Barnett, who has rushed for 507 yards and eight touchdowns. Barnett rushed for 191 yards and scored four touchdowns in Career Academy’s 42-14 victory over Soldan last week. Fellow running back Jacquis Avant has rushed for 296 yards and four touchdowns while quarterback Brandon Harris has thrown for five touchdowns.
The defense is led by linebacker Darrius Collins, who has a total of 61 tackles with three sacks and three interceptions.
Play of the half-yearÂ
The McCluer Comets may have pulled off the play of the year at the halfway mark of the season in last week’s 19-14 victory at Riverview Gardens. Trailing 14-12 with seven seconds remaining and with no time outs left, the Comets pulled off the hook-and-ladder play to score the winning touchdown with no time remaining.
Quarterback Jordan Moore threw a pass to receiver Anthony Harris, who in turn lateralled the ball back to teammate Seamus Branham as raced into the end zone as time expired, touching off a wild celebration. McCluer, which improved its record to 3-2 will visit Hazelwood Central on Saturday.
Earl’s Pick Games of the WeekÂ
There are a couple of small school games to watch this weekend.
On Saturday, MICDS will visit John Burroughs in a battle of old-time rivals. Kick-off is at 2 p.m. In this traditional rivalry, both schools celebrate their homecoming the weekend of this game, regardless of who is hosting. Burroughs has dominated the rivalry in recent years, but this year a surprising MICDS team enters the contest with a 3-0 record in the Metro League, which is good for first place. John Burroughs is coming off a 34-14 loss to Lutheran North, who lost to MICDS two weeks ago. It should be a spirited contest.
Also, Lutheran St. Charles will pay a visit to Trinity in a big Archdiocesan Athletic Association showdown. Trinity has been dominant in winning its first five games by large margins. Lutheran comes into Friday night’s game with a 4-1 record. The teams split their two meetings last season. Trinity won the regular season contest 33-27 while Lutheran came back to defeat Trinity 28-27 in the district playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Standout performancesÂ
Kirkwood defensive end Tahj Telfair had nine tackles, a quarterback sack and returned a fumble recovery 15 yards for a touchdown in the Pioneers’ 13-0 victory over Parkway North.
Chaminade’s Reginald Crawford had six receptions for 131 yards and touchdown in the Red Devils’ 47-32 victory at Vianney. Teammate Andre Whitley scored four touchdowns, including a 93-yard punt return.
Lutheran South’s Cody Schrader rushed for 286 yards on 40 carries and three touchdowns in the Lancers’ 24-17 victory over Westminster.
Top Games of the WeekÂ
Ritenour at Parkway North, Friday, 7 p.m.
Soldan at Gateway STEM, Friday, 7 p.m.
SLUH at CBC, Friday, 7 p.m.
Lutheran North at Lutheran South, Friday, 7 p.m.
Summit at Pattonville, Friday, 7 p.m.
Hazelwood Central at McCluer, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Parkway West at Ladue, Saturday, 1 p.m.
