For the St. Louis American
Click-clack, click-clack. If you’ve been anywhere near a high school campus recently, I’m sure you’ve heard that sound. And thank God for it! Because it can only mean one thing baby! It’s football season again! And as Lil Jon would say Yea-yyyaaahhh!
I’ve been waiting for the start of the new season ever since the final play of the final game at last year’s Show-Me Bowl. It all officially begins tomorrow evening when Riverview Gardens kicks off against Jackson in the first game of the season. And as always, here at the American, we like to keep you hooked up with the scoop on the best games of the weekend. So here’s an inside look at the top games of Week 1 of the 2008 prep football season:
#1 Fri., Aug. 29 DeSmet at Mehlville, 7 p.m.
I can’t think of any better way to start the season than with this matchup of 2007 playoff teams. Both teams lost to eventual Class 6 state champ Kansas City Rockhurst. But that doesn’t change the fact that these two teams are chock full of talent.
DeSmet features two of the finer two-way players in the area in seniors Ray Agnew and Devin King. Agnew is a bruising leadblocker, while King is a fantastic cutback runner from the tailback position. But both players are truly special linebackers, and along with top prospect at defensive back E.J. Clark, figure to make the DeSmet defense one of the stingiest in the area.
Mehlville, the defending Class 6 city champs, brings back a massive offensive line and two of its top rushers from last season. Seniors Philip Blair (a true speedster) and Tyrone Clark (a bowling ball with legs and very quick feet), combined for almost 1,600 yards & 30 touchdowns last season. TE/DE Aaron Alexander (6’3”, 240 lbs.) is expected to contribute on both sides of the ball.
#2 Sat., Aug. 30 Jefferson City at McCluer North 1 p.m.
It’s always fun to start the season with a matchup of perennial playoff contenders. Fans of the Jeff City Jays believe this will be one of their best teams in several years. And the excitement grew exponentially last week, when the Jays dominated at the Hickman High School Jamboree, a four-team combined practice of game situations, which featured Columbia Hickman, Lebanon, Columbia Rock Bridge and Jeff City. The Jays defense absolutely bullied the other teams around the field, and were the only team to score against each of the other teams.
McCluer North is bringing back a number of starters from last year’s 8-3 playoff squad. QB Ralph Watson and RBs Damonte Bell and Darius Stewart are expected to have the Stars contending for the Suburban North Conference crown and back in the playoff hunt again.
#3 Sat., Aug. 30 CBC at Hazelwood East 1 p.m.
One of the biggest upsets of the 2007 season occurred in the season opener, when unranked CBC toppled preseason No. 4 Hazelwood East 24-21 at East. 2007 Offensive Player of the Year Rayon Simmons had 237 yards & two TDs in that game. Simmons is battling for the starting RB job at Northern Iowa now, but the sting of that loss still lingers for the Spartans, who bring back much of the defense that allowed Simmons to run wild last season.
Senior DL and Mizzou recruit Darris Ford is back, along with standout LB Dominique Fowlkes & big-time playmaker DB/KR Chris Weaver. East also brings back QB Eric Brown, who threw for 1,378 yards and 11 TDs, but also had 12 INTs last year. TE Courtney Ward and RB DeJuan Owens should also be big contributors for the Spartans this season.
#4 Fri., Aug. 29 Mount Vernon at Belleville East 7 p.m.
The best game on the Ill-side this weekend figures to be this matchup of 2007 IHSA playoff teams. Mt. Vernon, more known for its championship-caliber basketball program, won the South Seven Conference football title last year (that’s the league Cahokia & Althoff usually dominate every year). But the Rams plan on proving themselves more than just a basketball school this season.
The resurgence of Belleville East football was one of the top stories of the season last year. It was especially fun watching the emergence of another top player in RB Jamon Bester, who led the Southwestern Conference in rushing & scoring with 1,303 yards & 18 TDs last year. Bester’s back for his senior season. And the Lancers are going to need another standout season from him if they want to contend with those big, bad Flyers from East St. Louis for the league crown this season.
Other top games:
Fri., Aug. 29 Vashon at Chaminade 7 p.m.
Ft. Zumwalt S. at Lindbergh 7 p.m.
St. Mary’s at Parkway C. 7 p.m.
Cardinal Ritter at St. Dominic 7 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 30 Festus at MICDS 1 p.m.
Miller Career at Normandy 1 p.m.