Class 6 state champ rematch
And other games to watch this weekend
Of the St. Louis American
Columbia Hickman (3-1) at Hazelwood East (5-0), Sat. 1 p.m. – A rematch of last year’s Class 6 state championship game, won by Hickman. The Spartans are looking to make another run to the Show-Me Bowl and they have been impressive. The offense is explosive with the three-headed monster of quarterback Carl Word, tailback Thomas Merriweather and receiver Gerald Fulton. The East defense has been just as good in giving up only seven points this season with seniors William Coward and Ken Stewart at defensive end and linebacker Daymon McGhee leading the way. Hickman lost many top players to graduation, but they are still one of the state’s top teams. The Kewpies’ only loss this season has been to No. 1 ranked Kansas City Rockhurst.
SLUH (5-0) at DeSmet (4-1), Fri. 7 p.m. – A key Metro Catholic Conference contest between these rival schools. Having lost one league game already, the Spartans are facing a must-win if they hope to repeat as conference champs. They rebounded from their loss to Vianney two weeks ago by shutting out Chaminade. Senior tailback Munir Prince scored two touchdowns. The Junior Billikens have received two stellar performances from senior tailback Stephen Simmons in the past two weeks. Simmons has rushed for 459 yards and eight touchdowns in victories over Beaumont and Cape Girardeau Central. The Spartans won at SLUH last season. The Junior Billikens would like to return the favor.
Mount Vernon (6-0) at Cahokia (5-1), Fri. 7 p.m. – A big South Seven Conference matchup in the Metro East. Mount Vernon has emerged as one of the state’s top teams in Illinois Class 6A. If the Rams want to win the South Seven, they have to get by the Comanches, who are the defending champs. Cahokia junior Martavis HInes has stepped forward as the team’s undisputed leader with more than 900 total yards and nine touchdowns. Mount Vernon quarterback Brian Deaton is also a double-threat with 214 yards rushing and 588 yards passing.
Vianney (5-0) at Roosevelt (4-1), Sat. 1:30 p.m. – A nonconference battle between two much-improved teams that are in the hunt for their respective conference titles. Metro Catholic Conference team Vianney has been led by the combination of quarterback Steve Callanan and receiver Tim Windhorst. Callanan has thrown for 1,020 yards and 15 touchdowns while Windhorst has 11 TD receptions. Public High League team Roosevelt had a big victory over Ladue two weeks ago in nonconference play. The Roughriders are led by versatile senior Darrell Robertson is a prime-time threat as a tailback, receiver and kick returner.
Jennings (4-1) at Affton (4-1), Fri. 7 p.m. – How about a Suburban East Conference showdown that does not include Clayton and Ladue? Both talented teams are trying to stay in the league race. The host Cougars are led by double-threat quarterback D.J. Ford (five touchdown passes, six TD runs) and DuJuan Jones, who also has five TDs. Jennings is trying to bounce back from a heartbreaking 27-20 loss to Clayton in which the Warriors held a 20-0 halftime lead. Quarterback Robert Thompson threw three touchdown passes against Clayton. The Warriors defense, led by Chris Current and Tori Owens, will try to slow down Affton’s dynamic duo.
To the hoop
Incarnate Word Academy basketball standout Felicia Chester gave a verbal commitment to attend DePaul. The 6’2″ Chester helped lead IWA to two consecutive Class 5 Final Four appearances. As a junior, Chester averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots for the Red Knights. She was a member of the St. Louis American “Fab Five” Girls All-Star team in 2005.
Hazelwood Central guard Mo Smith gave a commitment to attend Western Illinois University. The 6’3″ Smith averaged 15 points a game in leading the Hawks to a 20-9 record in 2005. WIU is coached by former Saint Louis University assistant coach Derek Thomas.
Albert Thomas was named the boys’ basketball coach at Gateway Tech. A former basketball and football star at Sumner, Thomas was the girls basketball coach at Vashon last season.
Kirkwood shocker
The biggest shocker of last week was Parkway South knocking off previously undefeated Kirkwood 24-21. Senior Fred Whitted had three interceptions for South, which forced five Kirkwood turnovers.
West and Pattonville in
Hazelwood West and Pattonville officially elbowed their way into the Suburban North Conference race with lopsided victories over preseason contenders. West whipped Hazelwood Central 42-13 while Pattonville soundly defeated McCluer North 35-13.
Young at the mic
Former Hazelwood East and University of Illinois standout linebacker Michael Young made his debut as a radio broadcaster last weekend. Young, who also played with the Arizona Cardinals, provided color commentary for the East St. Louis-O’Fallon game, which was called by Maurice Scott on ESPN-AM 1380.
