The Pattonville Pirates made a surprise run to the Class 5 state championship game last season and were just seconds away from pulling off a big upset against undefeated Staley in the state-championship game.
Several talented players graduated from that Pirates team, including four-year standout Kaleb Eleby at quarterback. After stubbing their top in the season opener against Columbia Hickman, the Pirates are looking strong once again this season. Pattonville has won four consecutive games and delivered a statement win last Friday night when they knocked off Kirkwood 42-32. It was the second consecutive year that the Pirates have defeated Kirkwood.
Much of the offensive load is being carried by senior running back Sam Sanderson, who has rushed for 623 yards and 16 touchdowns, including five against Kirkwood last weekend. Quarterback Andrew Webb has passed for 401 yards and rushed for 347 yards while scoring four touchdowns.
The Pirates have a strong defensive end with 290-pound senior Deandre James, 240-pound defensive end Isaiah Wilkes and junior defensive end Jatarius Battle. Both Battle and Wilkes have three quarterback sacks each. Linebackers Donovan Prott and Hayden Lezear lead the team in tackles while senior Reggie Oliphant has a team-high two interceptions.
A few top performances
*Quarterback Phillip Johnson of Carnahan passed for 325 yards and three touchdowns against Sumner.
*Quarterback Aiden McDaniel of Francis Howell was a perfect 18 for 18 for 367 yards and five touchdowns in a victory over Troy.
*Quarterback Sean Stephens of Hazelwood Central passed for 290 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over rival Hazelwood East.
*Freshman Luther Burden of Cardinal Ritter had five receptions for 178 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Tolton.
Pick Game of the Week
St. Johns College (4-0) at CBC (5-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.
The top powerhouse program in the St. Louis area gets an opportunity to take on one of the nation’s top football teams as nationally ranked St. John’s Prep of Washington D.C. comes to town. Ironically, both teams are nicknamed the Cadets. St. John’s is currently 4-0 and ranked No. 5 in the nation in the latest USA Today Super 25 national polls.
Last week, the Cadets defeated Marietta (GA) 21-14 in Washington D.C. They have also defeated Alabama state power Hoover and Miami Central in a five overtime thriller. St. John’s is led by senior running back Keilan Robinson, who has committed to Alabama and junior wide receiver Rakim Jarrett.
The CBC Cadets have been running roughshod over the competition over the first five weeks of the season. Senior running back Bryan Bradford has rushed for 744 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 10 yards per carry. Senior quarterback Brett Gabbert has passed for 1,256 yards and 16 touchdowns while receiver Julian Williams has 508 yards and six touchdowns.
On Tap this Weekend
Thursday, September 27
Parkway North (2-3) vs. Ladue (5-0) at Kirkwood, 7 p.m.
Friday, September 28
Christian-O’Fallon (3-2) at Jennings (3-2), 6 p.m.
Trinity (3-2) at Lutheran St. Charles (5-0), 7 p.m.
Fox (5-0) at Marquette (4-1), 7 p.m.
DeSmet (3-2) at Chaminade (2-3), 7 p.m.
Fort Zumwalt West (2-3) at Francis Howell (3-2), 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 29
Belleville West (5-0) at East St. Louis (4-1), 1 p.m.
Lutheran North (2-3) at MICDS (5-0), 1 p.m.
McCluer North (3-2) at Hazelwood East (3-2), 1 p.m.
(You can follow Earl Austin Jr.’s high school sports updates on twitter @earlaustinjr. #earltimeupdate)
