Conference clashes as district play looms
Of the St. Louis American
This is the final weekend of “regular” season football on the Missouri side before district play begins next week. There are key conference showdowns all over the area. Enjoy.
Webster Groves (5-0) at Eureka (5-1), Fri. 7 p.m. – This Suburban South showdown features the top two offensive and defensive teams in the conference. Both are in the hunt for the title along with undefeated Parkway Central. The undefeated Statesmen are led by All-State tight end/linebacker Adrian Clayborn, who is the epitome of physical presence on the field. Webster features two talented quarterbacks in Justin Taylor and Mike Whitter, plus running back Robert Swapshire (eight touchdowns). Eureka’s top player, senior Sam Johnson, returned two the lineup last week after a two-game suspension. He scored three touchdowns in the Wildcats victory over Parkway North. In Johnson’s absence, fullback Mike Nowicki took over the running chores. Defensive back Nathan Souder has seven interceptions.
Hazelwood East (5-1) at Hazelwood West (5-1), Sat. 1 p.m. – Another big Suburban North clash with first place on the line. The Spartans return to league action after last week’s 20-14 loss to defending state champion Columbia Hickman. East will try to remain undefeated in Suburban North play. To do that, they must slow down the Wildcats and their bulldozing running game. The West trio of Lamark Brown (826 yards, 14 TDs), Kendall Davis (790 yards, 10 TDs) and Jamar Williams (641 yards, nine TDs) has been running wild all season. While Hazelwood East is used to big games, this is one of the biggest game’s for West in several years.
Lutheran North (5-1) at MICDS (6-0), Sat. 1 p.m. – The host Rams are riding a 20-game winning streak into this weekend’s ABC League showdown. MICDS backs Ted Watt and Joey Zimming have combined for 879 yards and 19 touchdowns while quarterback John Engler has eight touchdown passes. Lutheran North will try to end the streak behind the play of quarterback LaRico Martin and big-play performers Previn Perry and Rolandis Woodland. Perry has rushed for 585 yards and 10 touchdowns while the 6’4″ Woodland averages 26 yards per catch and seven touchdowns.
Althoff (5-2) at Cahokia (5-2), Sat. 1 p.m. – These South Seven teams are looking up at Mount Vernon in the league title chase, but both are in solid position for a berth in the Illinois state playoffs. A victory on Saturday will help their playoff seedings. Host Cahokia lost a 17-14 heartbreaker to Mount Vernon at the final gun. The Comanches will rally around junior Martavis Hines, who has rushed for 934 yards and seven touchdowns. Althoff will counter will top sophomore Jason Ford (861 yards rushing, 14 TDs) and quarterback Dale Fink (804 yards passing).
Francis Howell North (6-0) at Fort Zumwalt West (5-1), Sat. 1 p.m. – The GAC South title will be on the line in this battle of St. Charles area powers. The player to watch in this game is Howell North quarterback Josh Jones, who has passed for 819 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for six more TDs.
Looking back
Edwardsville High senior E.J. Jones turned in a spectacular performance in the Tigers’ 41-24 victory over East St. Louis last Friday. Jones rushed for 261 yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns, bringing his season’s total to 17. Jones also had a key interception in the third quarter.
The Public High League race bears watching down the stretch. Beaumont, Gateway Tech, Roosevelt and Vashon are tied for the lead with 3-0 conference records. All four teams happen to be in the same district, which means they will play each other during the last three weeks of the season. They could be 4-0 entering district play should they all win this week. One of the four schools is going to come out of this scrum with the PHL and a berth in the state playoffs as a district champion.
Beaumont’s young defense has gotten a big boost from junior defensive tackle Keenan Mace. The 6’4″ 235-pound tackle has nine quarterback sacks and five fumble recoveries. The Bluejackets are getting some key personnel healthy such as tailback Muhammad Harris and receiver Niles Brinkley. Harris rushed for 217 yards in a 34-0 victory over Career Academy last week while Brinkley is gradually working his way back into the lineup.
Pattonville High is 5-1 behind the explosive 1-2 rushing duo of Nate Orlando and Dennis Bowen. Orlando, a tailback, has rushed for 1,069 yards and 13 touchdowns. Bowen, a quarterback, has rushed for 926 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Cardinal Ritter knocked off previously undefeated St. Dominic last Friday 24-15. The Lions will face St. Mary’s this weekend with a chance to win the Archdiocesan Athletic Association title.
