Football season is upon us in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The season begins this weekend on the Illinois side with the Missouri schools participating in preseason jamborees. As we begin another exciting season of high school football, it is time to look at some players to watch this year.
Travis Allen (University City): A junior running back who returns after rushing for 1,072 yards and 18 touchdowns in helping the Lions to a 9-2 record.
Laron Baker (East St. Louis): A senior wide receiver who had 10 receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns last season. He has committed to Kansas State.
Jack Brown (Francis Howell Central): A senior tight end who returns as one of the top prospects in the state. He had 25 receptions for 243 yards and five touchdowns last season. He has committed to Missouri.
Myson Johnson-Cook (East St. Louis): A standout senior running back who returns after rushing for 1,261 yards and 18 touchdowns in leading the Flyers to the IHSA Class 6A state finals.
Chase Dixon (Fort Zumwalt West): A 6-foot-4, 325-pound lineman who excels on both sides of the ball. He had 51 tackles and six sacks last season. He has committed to Missouri State.
Kyren Evans (Lutheran North): A senior two-way standout who had 33 receptions for 513 yards and four touchdowns last season. He also grabbed two interceptions on defense.
Raheem Floyd (East St. Louis): A four-star senior defensive back who has given a commitment to Florida of the Southeastern Conference.
Kevin Gilyard (Cardinal Ritter): A 6-foot-3, 325-pound offensive lineman who anchored the Lions up front in a year in which they advanced to the Class 5 state semifinals. He has committed to Western Kentucky.
Ronnie Gomiller (East St. Louis): A senior wide receiver and kick return specialist who is a big-play performer. He returned three punts for touchdowns in the state playoffs last season against Plainfield East.
Malahn Green (Cardinal Ritter): A 5-foot-10, 178-pound senior wide receiver who is primed for a big season for the Lions. He has committed to Oklahoma.
Ekeilan Henderson (Lift for Life): A senior wide receiver who had 70 receptions for 1,089 yards and 17 touchdowns in helping the Hawks to the Class 3 state finals last season. He has committed to Miami (Ohio).
Nathan Howard (Fort Zumwalt North): A 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back who had 91 tackles and four forced fumbles as a junior. He has committed to Western Illinois.
Marshaun Ivy (Cardinal Ritter): A senior linebacker who earned All-State honors after recording 95 tackles last season. He has committed to Arizona State.
Ridge Janes (De Smet): A junior tight end who had 43 receptions for 433 yards and three touchdowns last season. He already has several scholarship offers from major colleges from around the country.
James Johnson (Belleville East): A 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior who excels on both sides of the ball. He caught 55 passes for 783 yards and six touchdowns last season. He also had five interceptions on defense. He has committed to Cincinnati.
Jabarri Lofton (East St. Louis): A senior defensive back who returns after recording 82 tackles for the Flyers last season. He has committed to Missouri.
Malik Mazyun (Cahokia): A senior linebacker who recorded an impressive total of 176 tackles while helping lead the Comanches to the IHSA Class 4A state quarterfinals.
Kingston Miles (St. Mary’s): A senior running back who rushed for 2,089 yards and 24 touchdowns while leading the Dragons to a berth in the Class 4 state semifinals. He has committed to Missouri.
Jonathan Moore (Lutheran North): A senior quarterback who returns after passing for 1,846 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 357 yards and scored seven touchdowns.
Royce Searcy (De Smet): A senior wide receiver who had 33 receptions for 452 yards and three touchdowns as a junior.
Cam Sharp (De Smet): A junior running back who rushed for 1,474 yards and 21 touchdowns last season.
Evan Via (Ladue): A 5-foot-11, 175-pound two-way standout who scored nine touchdowns last season. He has already committed to Stanford.
Da’Zaveon Williams (Lift for Life): A senior defensive lineman who recorded more than 100 tackles and five sacks last season for the Hawks.
Noah Williams (Vianney): A senior wide receiver who returns after catching 47 passes for 699 yards and scoring eight touchdowns last season. He has committed to Missouri State.
Ta’vren Williams (North Point): A senior quarterback who passed for 2,258 yards and 32 touchdowns while rushing for 537 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Tony Woolfolk (Lift for Life): A senior wide receiver who caught 77 passes for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns last season for the Hawks.