At long last, the prep football season is finally upon us. And I for one, have to admit, that on this final day before the games officially kickoff on Friday, feel like a kid on the night before Christmas.
I just can’t wait. Every year, it seems, St. Louis area prep football gets better and better. And this year, most experts agree, might be one of the best prep football seasons the STL has ever seen.
There are so many good players and teams all over the area, and on both sides of the river, football nuts like me, shouldn’t have any problem finding high quality games ever week to feed our appetite for what often is some of the best prep football in the entire Midwest.
And it’s in that vein that we here at The American would like to help make sure our readers know where the best prep football games of the season are going to be played by offering our Top 20 Games of the Year listing.
We do this every year as part of our Prep Football Preview, and we hope our readers will use this list as a guide to help get them ready for the coming season.
This week, we will count down games 11-20 on the list. We will feature the Top 10 games next week.
#20 Fri., Aug. 27 Riverview Gardens at Chaminade 7 p.m.
Nothing like starting the season off right. And this opening night contest, is truly one of the most intriguing matchups of the season. The host Red Devils feature at least three D-I players on their offense in QB Christian Suntrup (Boston College), RB Rob Standard (Iowa St.), and WR Brandon Hannah (Mizzou). While Riverview brings back one of the area’s most prolific passers in senior QB Lavon Meeks (2,842 yards & 24 TDs in 2009).
#19 Fri., Oct. 22 Jeff City at Ft. Zumwalt West 7 p.m.
It’s always so much fun when the big, bad Jeff City Jay caravan comes rolling into town. And it should be especially exciting when they take on top WR prospect Devonte Majors & the Ft. Zumwalt West Jaguars in this Week 9 contest. Jeff City is led by one of the state’s most sought after recruits, senior RB Kody Walker.
#18 Fri., Oct. 1 Hazelwood Central at Riverview Gardens 6 p.m.
These longtime Suburban North Conference rivals played one of the best regular season games of the year, last season. Central, on its way to its second straight state championship in Class 6, trailed by a TD with less than a minute remaining. But the Hawks somehow pulled off two scores in the final 39 seconds to pull out a miracle win that essentially clinched them a playoff spot, while Riverview missed the playoffs entirely. The Rams will be looking for revenge when the teams meet in Week 6.
#17 Fri., Sept. 10 Edwardsville at Belleville East 7 p.m.
The college scouts & recruiters will be all over this Week 3 showdown, as several of the Metro East’s best players will take the field for this important Southwestern Conference matchup. Edwardsville is led by top RB/LB Rodney Coe, who’s being pursued by just about every college in the country. While East will feature versatile, speed merchants Darnell Stephenson & Ryan Herring.
#16 Fri., Oct. 29 Trinity Catholic at Cardinal Ritter 7 p.m.
The final Friday night of the regular season will feature a number of game-of-the-year-caliber contests, including this pivotal AAA matchup, which might not only determine the league champ, but might also decide who wins the district and makes the playoffs this year.
#15 Fri., Sept. 3 Lindbergh at Lafayette 7 p.m.
The top two teams in the re-aligned Suburban West Conference (Eureka & Fox are members now, while Kirkwood has jumped to the Suburban South), will meet in Week 2. Most experts consider Lindbergh, which is led by 2009 Suburban West Defensive Player of the Year Tony Robinson (72 tackles, 14 QB sacks), the favorites.
#14 Fri., Oct. 29 Chaminade at Parkway Central and Webster Groves at Parkway North 7 p.m.
These four teams make up what might be the toughest district in the entire state. And it should be some kinda show on the final Friday of the regular season when these teams will likely meet (at schools that are barely two miles apart) with playoff berths on the line.
#13 Fri., Aug. 27 Oakville at Lindbergh 7 p.m.
Another top notch opening night matchup, this contest will feature two young players making their first starts as varsity QBs. Oakville is looking to converted WR Jaron Henderson to lead its squad, while junior Peter Simpson will take over the signal calling for the league-favorite Flyers.
#12 Fri., Oct. 15 Cahokia at Althoff 7 p.m.
Almost every year it seems, these two teams battle it out for supremacy in the South Seven Conference. And regardless of the records, when these teams get together, it’s always one of the Metro East’s best matchups of the season. Both teams will have a new look to them this year. Althoff will feature East St. Louis transfer Vinson Arterbridge at RB, while Cahokia will have brand new starters at almost every position. Should be a fun, fun year in the South Seven in 2010.
#11 Fri., Oct. 15 Lindbergh at DeSmet 7 p.m.
Many expect these teams to have two of the better defenses in the area this season. And we’ll get to see both squads in action when these teams meet in Week 8.
Cut Line: Chaminade’s standout running back Rob Standard is on track to become the all-time leader in rushing in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Photo by Wiley Price
