Clyde C. Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis will be the place to be on Saturday Sept. 7, 2024, for the annual Gateway Scholars Football Classic.
The triple-header will feature schools from three different states. In the featured contest, host East St. Louis will take on Newton High, a powerhouse program from Covington, GA. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. East Side opened its season with an impressive 34-7 victory over Wilmette Loyola Academy, the two-time defending Illinois Class 8A state champions last weekend in Normal.
In the opening game, Lift for Life will take on St. Francis from Wheaton, IL. Lift for Life opened its season with a 73-0 victory over Duchesne last Friday night.
The second game will feature Cahokia vs. Jackson High from Southeast Missouri. Cahokia defeated Lutheran St. Charles 50-0 in its opening game while St. Louis area power Cardinal Ritter defeated Jackson last Friday night.
Admission for the Gateway Scholars Classic will be $10 for the three-day event.
STL’s first week college standouts
Former St. Louis area football standouts were brilliant during the opening weekend of college football. Former CBC standout Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame rushed for 91 yards and scored the winning touchdown in the Irish’ 23-13 victory at Texas A&M. Christian Gray (DeSmet) sealed Notre Dame’s victory by breaking up a pass on fourth down. In the same game, former Kirkwood High standout Will Lee of Texas A&M had a team-high eight solo tackles. Former SLUH standout Ryan Wingo of Texas caught four passes for 70 yards in the Longhorns 50-0 victory over Colorado State.
In Missouri’s 51-0 victory over Murray State, All-American receiver Luther Burden opened the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown reception. Toriano Pride (Cardinal Ritter) scored on a touchdown interception return. Quarterback Brady Cook (Chaminade) threw a touchdown pass and rushed for another score. Running back Jamal Roberts (St. Mary’s) scored his first touchdown.
Some Week 1 prep standouts
*Quarterback Kendrick Lyons of East St. Louis threw four touchdown passes in the Flyers’ 34-7 victory over Wilmette Loyola Academy.
*Running back Dierre Hill of Althoff scored four rushing touchdowns in the Crusaders’ 41-14 victory over Alton.
*Wide receiver Corey Simms of CBC had four receptions for 122 yards and three touchdowns in the Cadets 45-0 victory over Sacred Heart Griffin
*Quarterback Zion Taylor of Cahokia completed 14 of 16 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns in the Comanches’ 50-0 victory over Lutheran-St. Charles.
*Running back Madden Irving of Chaminade rushed for 155 yards on 22 carries and three touchdowns in the Red Devils 27-0 victory over McCluer North.
*Running back Jaylen Mack of Wentzville Liberty rushed for 124 yards and caught three passes for 63 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 35-19 victory over Francis Howell Central.
*Running back Devin Hollins of Marquette rushed for 153 yards on 31 carries and one touchdown in the Mustangs’ 31-21 victory over Hickman.
*Running back Robert Eatherton rushed for 176 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown in the Golden Griffins 49-26 victory over Webster Groves.
*Running back Jayden McCaster of DeSmet had 102 yards rushing and 78 yards receiving and two touchdowns in the Spartans 48-7 victory over xx.
*What’s on tap Week 2
Thursday, September 5
Blair Oaks at Lutheran North, 6 p.m.
Hazelwood East at Parkway Central, 6 p.m.
John Burroughs at Jennings, 6 p.m.
Friday, September 6
Hillsboro at SLUH, 6 p.m.
Troy at O’Fallon, 7 p.m.
Cardinal Ritter at Rochester (IL), 7 p.m.
Bryant (AR) at CBC
Marquette at Eureka, 7 p.m.
Pattonville at Kirkwood, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 7
DeSmet at MICDS, 7 p.m.