Of the St. Louis American
The second season begins this weekend for schools on the Missouri side of the river as the district football playoffs begin. Here is a preview of the upcoming districts involving area schools.
Class 6
District 1
Schools: Fox (4-3), Mehlville (0-7), Northwest (2-5), Oakville (3-4)
Key Game: Oakville at Fox, Friday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m.
Outlook: No power team in this field, but someone will bring home a trophy.
Earl’s Pick: Oakville
District 2
Schools: Kirkwood (5-1), Lindbergh (6-1), SLUH (7-0), Vianney (7-0)
Key Game: All of them
Outlook: One of the best districts in the state with the four teams having a combined 25-2 record. Every game will be a battle.
Earl’s Pick: Kirkwood
District 3
Schools: CBC (2-5), Lafayette (3-4), Marquette (2-5), Parkway South (4-3)
Key Game: CBC at Parkway South, Fri. Nov. 4, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Everyone has a chance, but Parkway South has knocked Kirkwood and Lindbergh from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Earl’s Pick: Parkway South
District 4
Schools: Hazelwood Central (4-3), Hazelwood East (7-0), Pattonville (6-1), Riverview Gardens (3-4)
Key Game: Hazelwood East at Pattonville, Fri. Oct. 28, 7 p.m.
Outlook: A tough district featuring the Suburban North. East is strong again, but Pattonville and Central can’t be overlooked.
Earl’s Pick: Hazelwood East
District 5
Schools: DeSmet (5-2), Francis Howell Central (4-3), Howell North (6-1), Fort Zumwalt South (1-6)
Key Game: Howell North at DeSmet, Fri. Oct. 28, 7 p.m.
Outlook: DeSmet will try to repeat against a field of quality teams from the GAC.
Earl’s Pick: DeSmet
District 6
Schools: Fort Zumwalt West (6-1), Columbia Hickman (5-1), Jefferson City (3-4), Rock Bridge
Key Game: Hickman at Fort Zumwalt West, Fri. Oct. 21, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Fort Zumwalt West must face the best from Mid Missouri, which includes defending state-champion Hickman.
Earl’s Pick: Columbia Hickman
Class 5
District 1
Schools: Eureka (5-2), Jackson (5-2), Summit (3-4), Seckman (1-6)
Key Game: Eureka at Jackson, Fri. Oct. 28, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Eureka and Jackson field tough units, but Summit cannot be overlooked despite its losing record.
Earl’s Prediction: Eureka
District 2
Schools: Francis Howell (3-4), Parkway Central (7-0), Parkway West (3-4), Troy (1-6), Webster Groves (6-0)
Key Game: Webster Groves at Parkway Central, Fri, Oct. 28, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Webster Groves and Parkway Central have battled for this title on an annual basis. This year should be no different.
Earl’s Pick: Webster Groves
District 3
Schools: Beaumont (4-3), Gateway Tech (4-3), Roosevelt (5-2), Vashon (4-3)
Key Game: All of them
Outlook: Not only is a district title on the line, but all four teams have 4-0 records in Public High League play, so the league title is also at stake.
Earl’s Pick: Beaumont
District 4
Schools: Chaminade (1-6), Hazelwood West (5-2), McCluer (1-6), McCluer North (5-2), Ritenour (2-5)
Key Game: McCluer North at Hazelwood West, Sat. Oct. 29, 1 p.m.
Outlook: McCluer North was going strong early and stumbled a bit in the middle of the season. Meanwhile, Hazelwood West has emerged as a breakthough team in 2005. One of these two will move on.
Earl’s Pick: McCluer North
Class 4
District 2
Schools: DeSoto (5-2), Farmington (6-0), Festus (4-3), North County (6-1)
Key Game: Farmington at North County, Thur, Nov. 3, 7 p.m.
Earl’s Pick: North County
District 3
Schools: Hillsboro (0-7), Pacific (0-7), St. Clain (5-2), Union (2-5)
Key Game: Union at St. Clair, Fri, Nov. 4, 7 p.m.
Earl’s Pick: St. Clair
District 4
Schools: Affton (6-1), DuBourg (1-6), Lutheran South (0-7), Windsor (3-4)
Key Game: Windsor at Affton, Fri. Nov. 3, 7 p.m.
Earl’s Pick: Affton
District 5
Schools: Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC (1-6), Soldan (1-6), St. Mary’s (5-2), Sumner (2-5)
Key Game: St. Mary’s vs. Sumner at Gateway Tech, Sat. Oct. 29, 1 p.m.
Earl’s Pick: St. Mary’s
District 6
Schools: Clayton (4-3), Ladue (5-2), Normandy (0-6), Universiy City (0-7)
Key Game: Ladue vs. Clayton at Washington University, Fri. Nov. 4, 7 p.m.
Earl’s Pick: Ladue
District 7
Schools: Duchesne (5-2), Parkway North (3-4), St. Charles (3-4), St. Charles West (5-2)
Key Game: All of them
Earl’s Pick: St. Charles West
District 8
Schools: Fort Zumwalt North (4-3), Holt (3-4), St. Dominic (6-1), Timberland (3-4)
Key Game: St. Dominic at Holt, Fri. Oct. 28, 7 p.m.
Earl’s Pick: Holt
Class 3
District 3
Schools: Herculaneum (5-2), Kennedy (3-4), Career Academy (1-6), St. Pius (3-4)
Key Game: Herculaneum at St. Pius, Fri. Oct. 21, 7 p.m.
Earl’s Pick: Herculaneum
District 4
Schools: John Burroughs (6-0), MICDS (7-0), Priory (5-2), Westminster (6-1)
Key Game: MICDS at John Burroughs, Sat. Nov. 5, 1 p.m.
Outlook: A great small-school district that features a possible matchup of undefeated rivals in John Burroughs and defending state-champion MICDS.
Earl’s Pick: MICDS
District 5
Schools: Jennings (4-3), Berkeley (1-6), Lutheran North (2-5), Trinity (1-6)
Key Game: Jennings at Lutheran North, Fri., Oct. 29, 1 p.m.
Earl’s Pick: Lutheran North
class 2
District 3
Schools: Brentwood (3-4), Cardinal Ritter (4-3), Maplewood (2-5), Principia (2-5)
Key Game: Cardinal Ritter at Brentwwod, Fri. Oct. 21, 7 p.m.
Earl’s Pick: Cardinal Riter
District 4
Schools: Lutheran (SC) 2-5, Orchard Farm (2-5), Winfield (2-5), Wright City (2-5)
Key Games: All of them. They have the same record.
Earl’s Pick: Lutheran (St. Charles)
