There is only one left.
Heading into last weekend, there were eight high school teams from the St. Louis metro area that were playing in state semifinal football games with a chance to go to the state championship team.
Seven of those eight teams saw their seasons end over the weekend. Parkway Central (13-1) is the area’s only hope for a state title as the Colts will take on Lee’s Summit West (12-1) for the Missouri Class 5 state championship on Saturday night at the Edward Jones Dome. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m.
It will be a rematch of the 2007 state championship game, which was won by Lee’s Summit West 35-0.
Parkway Central advanced to the championship game with a convincing 42-21 victory over Suburban South rival Webster Groves. The Colts avenged a 28-7 loss to the Statesmen earlier this season.
The Colts are a power running team with a massive offensive line and an excellent tailback in senior Augie Brooks, who has rushed for 2,052 yards and 38 touchdowns. Brooks is joined in the backfield by a pair of jumbo running backs in Khalen Saunders and Michael Slater, who have combined for more than 1,100 yards and 22 touchdowns. Brooks and Saunders rushed for three touchdowns each in the victory against Webster Groves.
On defense, the Colts are led by 6’5″ 250-pound defensive end, Johnathan Bonner, who has 15 sacks this season. Bonner has committed to Notre Dame. Tommy Payne leads the team with 97 tackles, including 17 for losses.
Lee’s Summit West is a powerful team out of the Kansas City area. Their only loss of the season came at the hands of defending Class 6 state champion Blue Springs.
State’s top programs
Although Parkway Central is the only area team that will be at the Dome, fans can witness some of the state’s top programs in action this weekend. Nationally-ranked Blue Springs is aiming for its second consecutive state title when it faces Columbia Rock Bridge on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
Webb City will be gunning for its fourth consecutive Class 4 state championship when it faces Jefferson City Helias on Friday at 1 p.m. It will be a rematch of last year’s state-championship game.
Maryville will try to repeat as the Class 3 state champions when it takes on Seneca on Saturday at 11 a.m. Seneca defeated John Burroughs 31-7 to deny the Bombers a fourth consecutive trip to the Show-Me Bowl. In Class 2, Lamar will be going for a three-peat as it takes on Lawson on Friday at 4:15 p.m. Lamar defeated Lutheran North 70-7 in the semifinals. In Class 1, Valle Catholic will go for yet another state title against Marceline on Saturday at 2:05 p.m.
Stunning loss
Hazelwood Central saw its season come to an end last Friday in a stunning 36-33 loss to Columbia Rock Bridge in the Class 6 semifinals. The numbers would suggest a Hawks blowout as they amassed 570 yards of total offense, including 360 yards rushing by Kevin Batt, plus six quarterback sacks and six interceptions on defense, However, the Bruins rallied from a 26-14 deficit by scoring three touchdowns in the last five minutes of the game. Rock Bridge entered the postseason with a 4-5 record, but now the Bruins find themselves in the state championship game.
Seasons end
The seasons for Edwardsville and East St. Louis ended last Saturday in the state semifinals. Edwardsville suffered its first loss of the season against powerful Chicago Mount Carmel 34-7 in the IHSA Class 7A semifinals. East St. Louis suffered a heartbreaking 7-6 loss to Oak Lawn Richards in the Class 6A state semifinals.
