And other highlights of the Show-Me Bowl
Inside Sports
With Earl Austin Jr.
By the time you pick up today’s paper to enjoy your Thanksgiving reading, I will be on a jet headed to Hawaii with the Saint Louis University men’s basketball team.
I know it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it. The only downside (I know, what downside?) of this Hawaii trip is that I will miss this weekend’s Show-Me Bowl activities at the Edward Jones Dome.
While my man Cedric Williams is going to break down the matchups, I still want to add a few of my own thoughts to the upcoming weekend and an exciting night of semifinal action.
It’s hard to believe that we are actually going to have an All-St. Louis Class 6 state-championship game between Hazelwood Central and DeSmet. For years, the middle and western side of the state has dominated this game, but they have been shut out altogether this year. You can thank DeSmet, which knocked off Columbia Rock Bridge in the quarterfinals and shocked No. 1 Kansas City Rockhurst in the semifinals.
Go, Stars
I wish to extend congratulations to my alma mater, McCluer North, on advancing to the Show-Me Bowl for the fifth time. The Stars defeated Webster Groves 31-21 to advance to Saturday night’s Class 5 final against Raymore-Peculiar in a rematch of last year’s championship game won by Ray-Pec. Go, Stars.
DeSmet stunner
I witnessed the second half of DeSmet’s stunning 59-39 victory over Kansas City Rockhurst on Friday night and I still cannot believe what happened. The Hawklets led 20-0 after eight minutes and 39-29 at halftime. What the Spartans did for the next 24 minutes was beyond description as they outscored the powerful Rockhurst squad 30-0 in the second half. They raised their level of play to the point of insanity. Quarterback Tommy Corwin went wild as he passed for 461 yards and five touchdowns. The receivers made every catch and the defense forced five turnovers in shutting out the Hawklets in the second half.
Varsity Turkey Day Game
As a result of McCluer North’s victory over Webster Groves and Hazelwood Central’s victory over Kirkwood in the Class 6 semifinals, there will be a varsity Turkey Day Game today at noon between Kirkwood and Webster Groves. If one or both teams would have won and advanced to the Show-Me Bowl, the Turkey Day Game would be played by junior varsity teams. Do not sleep on this year’s game. Adding to the great tradtion of this year’s game is the fact that both teams are outstanding with a combined record of 19-3. It should be a great game. As a graduate of a Suburban North Conference school, may I speak for the rest of my North County kinfolk in saying that we are glad to make sure these two proud communites are not cheated out of their varsity Turkey Day Game (smile!).
Woof, woof
There should be some good-natured, yet competitive woofing during the Hazelwood Central-DeSmet Class 6 final. DeSmet’s top player, tailback/defensive back Munir Prince, lives in the Hazelwood Central district and grew up with most of the Hawks’ players.
Chaney to Iowa
On a recruiting note, SLUH two-sport standout Paul Chaney gave a verbal commitment to Iowa over the weekend. The 5’9” 170-pound Chaney played quarterback for the Junior Billikens this season, but will probably play receiver and return kicks for the Hawkeyes. Chaney will also run track at Iowa in the spring. He is the defending Class 4 state champion in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.
Metro East congrats
The football seasons at Edwardsville and Cahokia ended last weekend in the IHSA state semifinals. Edwardsville lost to perennial state power Mt. Carmel 27-7 while Cahokia dropped a 24-20 heartbreaker to Rock Island Alleman. Congrats to Edwardsville coach Tim Daugherty and Cahokia coach Antywne Golliday on great seasons. Golliday, in particular, did a great job of taking a young, inexperienced team and putting them on the brink of the state-championship game.