Of the St. Louis American
Here are some of the scenarios that I am looking to see unfold in high school football during the 2005 season.
1. Stepping into big shoes: Kirkwood junior Marcus Harris is a first-time varsity starter at quarterback for the powerful Pioneers. He is replacing three-year starter Matt Krapfl, who passed for more than 3,000 yards last season. Kirkwood has aspirations of getting to the Dome, so Harris will be a big key.
2. Back then they didn’t want me, now I’m hot, they’re all on me: In 2004, DeSmet enjoyed a great turnaround from a 2-8 season to a 10-1 record and a MCC title. These teams who had losing seasons in ’04 have the talent and potential to turn things around and be singing like Mike Jones this season. Watch out for Beaumont (3-7), Lindbergh (3-7), Fort Zumwalt West (4-6), Hazelwood West (4-5) and Riverview Gardens (3-7).
3. Trick or Treat: In the month of October, Hazelwood Central will go through the ringer with its schedule. There are consecutive road games at Memphis area power Melrose (Oct. 8), Jefferson City (Oct. 14) and district playoff games with at Hazelwood East (Oct. 22) and Riverview Gardens (Oct. 29).
4. Lions Den: Cardinal Ritter has built quite a reputation for basketball excellence over the years with four state championships. Well, the football team has a chance to to make some noise in Class 2 in 2005. With Division I level players such as Quentin Davie, Antonio Gulley, Kris Heard, Deandre Gilmore and Mike Baker, Ritter has some serious talent and high expectations. A Friday night opener at powerful Herculaneum is a good test to start the season.
5. Two’s company, three’s a crowd: For years, the Suburban East Conference has been the domain of Class 4 state powers Clayton and Ladue. This year, Affton has the returning talent to challenge the two top dogs for league supremacy. Plus, they are coming off a district championship season. Can the Cougars crack this dynamic duo? It won’t be easy.
6. Do not sleep on us: Offensive lineman and kickers are usually in the background when talking about the attributes of a top team. Except in the case of McCluer North, which is getting much preseason love because of the return of all of their offensive lineman, led by All-State player Keith Williams. The Stars also return top kicker Tom Lattimore.
7. Getting to know him: Last season, nobody really knew of Thomas Merriwether of Hazelwood East, because he was on the junior varsity at the beginning of the season. By the end of the year, the talented tailback had helped the Spartans to the Show-Me Bowl. Not many people know DeSmet’s Wesley Kemp yet, but that could change after this season. The 6’4″ 215-pound sophomore is a talented wide receiver with size, speed and good hands. With seniors Tommy Corwin and Munir Prince in the backfield, watch for this talented youngster to emerge.
8. The ‘Lou is back: The Class in 2006 in the St. Louis metro area is deep and the college recruiters are taking notice. There could be at least 25 players who will get NCAA Division I scholarships this year, with eight players already giving oral committments.
9. Family Feud: The great Jairus Byrd has graduated from Clayton and headed to Oregon, but the intensity of the Clayton-Ladue rivalry should still be hot. Both teams played for a state title in the past two years, but Clayton has whipped Ladue on the field the past two years. By the way, the big showdown is Saturday, Nov. 4 at Washington University. A district title should be on the line. So should the conference, unless (#5) occurs.
10. Can St. Louis Break Through? MICDS and Clayton won state titles last season, breaking the stranglehold of state titles won by the Western side of the state over the East. However, St. Louis is still looking for a little hardware in the large schools. Since 2000, only Webster Groves (2003) has brought home a state title. Every other title has been won by a Kansas City-area school or Columbia Hickman last year. The area’s top Class 6 contenders should be Kirkwood, Hazelwood East, Hazelwood Central, DeSmet and SLUH while Class 5 teams McCluer North, Webster Groves, Eureka, Parkway Central and Vashon will be ones to watch.