The Pattonville Pirates have been on an impressive run during the past two seasons.
The Pirates advanced to the Class 6 state semifinals last season and have carried that momentum into this season. They improved to 7-1 with last Friday’s 35-14 victory over Parkway North, matching their victory total from last season.
Pattonville has a strong dynamic duo on offense to lean on in junior quarterback Trevor Beckermann and junior running back Aeran Collins. Beckermann is a dual-threat quarterback who has passed for 1,490 yards and 14 touchdowns while rushing for 315 yards and seven touchdowns. Collins has rushed for 910 yards and scored 16 touchdowns this season as the team’s primary ball carrier.
The Pirates also feature a talented group of receivers in junior Gilbert Lakine III, juniors Elijah and Emmanuel Hopgood and senior Kingston Robinson.
Pattonville will conclude its regular season on Friday night at Hazelwood East. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.
Bailey Hensgens is Headed to Illinois
Girls track and field star Bailey Hensgens of Incarnate Word Academy has given a commitment to the University of Illinois.
Hensgens enters her senior year as one of the top combination jumpers in the country. She won state championships in the high jump, long jump and triple jump at the Class 4 state meet in Jefferson City in May. As a sophomore, she led the Red Knights to their first ever state championship in track and field.
In June, Hensgens won the high jump at the USATF U20 National Championships in Eugene, Oregon. She qualified for the World Athletics U20 Championships, where she finished in eighth place, which was the best among American athletes in the event.
Sekou Cisse Commits to Southern Illinois
Standout boys basketball player Sekou Cisse of Principia has given a commitment to Southern Illinois University. The 6-foot-9 power forward chose SIU over schools such as SEMO and Austin Peay. He has been a major contributor to the Panthers’ back-to-back Class 3 state championships and helped bring the program national attention.
As a junior, he averaged 9.6 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 60% from the field. As a sophomore, he averaged 10.7 points and 6.3 rebounds a game while shooting 59% from the field. During the summer, he helped lead the Gateway-Knights 17U team to the championship of the P32 League.
Young quarterbacks lead Cardinal Ritter and St. Mary’s to big victories
Cardinal Ritter and St. Mary’s pulled off big victories last week over a pair of Metro Catholic Conference mainstays.
Cardinal Ritter defeated CBC 30-20 last Thursday night. The following night, St. Mary’s defeated De Smet 37-35. Both teams were led by talented young quarterbacks who enjoyed big performances.
Sophomore Rhylan Moore of Cardinal Ritter threw four touchdown passes in the victory over CBC. Freshman Ja’Khouri Battle of St. Mary’s completed 18 of his 20 passes for 183 yards and four touchdowns.
Illinois playoffs begin this weekend
The postseason begins for teams on the Illinois side with several Metro East area teams in action this weekend. East St. Louis will be idle this weekend as they have a first-round bye in the Class 7A playoffs. They will play the winner of Rockford Jefferson and Lincoln-Way Central next weekend.
Here is a look at the games scheduled involving local teams. The times and dates are still TBA.
Lincoln Park at Edwardsville (Class 7A)
Collinsville at Chicago St. Patrick’s (Class 7A)
Burbank St. Laurence at Belleville East (Class 7A)
Washington at Mascoutah (Class 5A)
Lincoln at Highland (Class 4A)
East Peoria at Cahokia (Class 4A)
What’s On Tap This Week
Parkway West at Ladue, Thursday, 7 p.m.
SLUH at Rockhurst, Friday, 6 p.m.
Cardinal Ritter at Jackson, Friday, 7 p.m.
Rock Bridge at St. Mary’s, Friday, 7 p.m.
MICDS at Jefferson City, Friday, 7 p.m.
Lutheran North at De Smet, Friday, 7 p.m.
Battle at Gateway STEM, Friday, 7 p.m.
Seckman at Parkway North, Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Kirkwood at Lafayette, Friday, 7 p.m.
Hickman vs. Lift for Life at JJK Center, Saturday, 1 p.m.