It has been an emotional week for the players who attend Normandy Collaborative High as well as McCluer, McCluer North and McCluer South-Berkeley.
The Normandy Vikings took the field for the first time last Saturday morning since the death of former classmate and teammate Michael Brown, who was shot and killed on August 9 in Ferguson. A 2014 graduate of Normandy, Brown was remembered in a special tribute before the Vikings game against Lift for Life.
A moment of silence was held before the game. The Vikings then went out to post a 21-8 victory. Quarterback Kearrion Coleman ran for a touchdown and threw two touchdown passes for Cameron Clemons.
The lives of the McCluer, McCluer North and McCluer South-Berkeley players were affected, as well as the first seven days of schools were postponed in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Despite not being able to attend school, the kids were able to practice off-campus, including at Rams Park, when the St. Louis Rams stepped up and brought the kids to their facility.
McCluer South-Berkeley opened the season with a 40-0 victory over Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC. McCluer North and McCluer both lost their opening games to formidable opponents. McCluer North lost at Class 6 state power Jefferson City 17-0 on Friday night while McCluer lost to Class 4 contender Miller Career Academy 34-6 on Saturday.
Francis Howell dominatesÂ
The biggest statement of Week 1 came from Francis Howell as the host Vikings defeated Webster Groves 58-12 in a battle of highly-ranked teams. The Vikings utilized its massive offensive line and experienced defensive unit to dominate the game from start to finish. Howell scored three defensive touchdowns on interceptions returns to spark the rout.
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Shout outsÂ
*Senior John Moten of John Burroughs rushed for 216 yards and three touchdowns in the Bombers 43-0 victory over Cardinal Ritter College Prep.
*Fort Zumwalt North’s tandem of Brenden Pierce and Deon Lewis combined for 319 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the Panthers’ 27-17 victory over highly-regarded St. Charles West. Pierce rushed for 183 yards and a touchdown while Lewis added 136 yards and a score.
 *Junior Tre Bryant of CBC rushed for 88 yards on just seven carries and scored two touchdowns on runs of 47 and 24 yards in the Cadets’ 63-14 victory over Columbia Hickman. It was Bryant’s first action after missing last season with a knee injury.
*Freshman quarterback Kaleb Eleby of Pattonville had quite a high school debut last Friday night. Eleby passed for 208 yards and three touchdowns in the Pirates 28-0 victory over Seckman.
*Dual-threat quarterback Ricky McCoy of Ritenour passed for 149 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 101 yards and one score in the Huskies’ 31-7 victory at Marquette.
Top games this weekÂ
East St. Louis begins its regular season with an annual rugged non-conference game on the road. On Saturday, the Flyers will travel to Cincinnati, OH to face St. Xavier. Kickoff is at 3 p.m….Edwardsville High will open the season at home against Gary West Side (IN) at 6 p.m.
On the Missouri side, CBC will travel to Jefferson City to take on the Jays on Friday night at 7 p.m. Both teams are coming off impressive opening night victories…Fort Zumwalt North will visit Fort Zumwalt West on Friday night. North is coming off a 27-17 victory over St. Charles West while Fort Zumwalt West is expected to be one of the top teams in the St. Charles area once again….Francis Howell will travel to the Ozark region to take on Nixa on Friday night. The Knights are looking to build on last Friday’s big opening season victory against Webster Groves.
Other games of noteÂ
Friday, August 29 (Games at 7 p.m.): Hazelwood East at Webster Groves, Jackson at Vianney, DeSmet at Rock Bridge, Belleville East at Normal Community, St. Charles West at Cape Girardeau Central, Althoff at Collinsville, Union at Borgia.
Saturday, August 30 (Games at 1 p.m.): Kirkwood at McCluer North, John Burroughs at Roosevelt (1:30 p.m.), Lafayette at Hazelwood Central, Jennings at Ladue (noon)
