The Kirkwood Pioneers sent shockwaves through the state of Missouri last Friday night when they took down CBC 28-26 in a Class 6 District 2 championship game at CBC.
The Pioneers, under head coach Jeremy Maclin, held off a late CBC rally to post the biggest victory since winning a state championship in 2016.
CBC entered the contest ranked No. 1 in the Class 6 state polls, but suffered its first home playoff loss since 2012. The Pioneers are also the first St. Louis suburban school to defeat the Cadets since 2013.
Kirkwood (9-2) will host Jackson in the state quarterfinals on Friday at 7 p.m.
Top playoff performers
Quarterback Owen Nesslage of Kirkwood completed 24 of 36 passes for 381 yards and three touchdowns in the Pioneers’ 28-26 victory over CBC; Wide receiver Jacob Eberhart had eight receptions for 191 yards and two touchdowns in the Pioneers’ victory.
Wide receiver Mike Clark of Lutheran North had two touchdown receptions and a punt return for a touchdown in the Crusaders 80-0 victory over Miller Career Academy.
Running back Jy’Ren Green of Fort Zumwalt West rushed for 205 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns in the Jaguars 48-14 victory over North Point.
Quarterback Kendrick Lyons of East St. Louis threw four touchdown passes in the Flyers 58-14 victory over Chatham-Glenwood; Running back Christopher Bennett scored two rushing touchdowns and caught two touchdown passes in the Flyers’ win.
Quarterback John Gould of MICDS rushed for three touchdowns and threw two touchdown passes in the Rams 38-14 victory over Hazelwood East.
IHSA State Semifinals
Class 6A
Oak Lawn Richards at East St. Louis, Saturday, 2 p.m.
Cary Grove at Geneva, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Class 1A
Camp Point Central at Althoff, Saturday, 2 p.m.
Lena Winslow at LeRoy, Saturday, 2 p.m.
Outlook: Both East St. Louis and Althoff are one victory away from playing for state championships next weekend.
Missouri State Quarterfinals Matchups
Class 6
Jackson at Kirkwood, Friday, 7 p.m.
Nixa at Lee’s Summit North, Friday, 7 p.m.
DeSmet at Rock Bridge, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Park Hill at Liberty, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Class 5
Lafayette at Cardinal Ritter, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Helias at Republic, Saturday, 1 p.m.
MICDS at Fort Zumwalt West, Friday, 7 p.m.
Platte County at Webb City, Friday, 7 p.m.
Class 4
Festus at Gateway STEM, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Warrenton at West Plains, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Lutheran North at Parkway North, Saturday, noon
Kearney at Warrensburg, Friday, 7 p.m.
Class 3
Dexter vs. Lift for Life, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Earl’s World
*Congratulations to Lafayette High’s talented volleyball sister act Maya and Shaye Witherspoon on leading the Lancers to another Class 4 state championship. It was the third state title in succession for the Lancers, who defeated Ozark in the championship match. Maya, a 5’11” senior, had a team-high 18 kills in the state championship game. Shaye, a 6’3” sophomore, had a team high seven blocks against Ozark. For the season, Shaye Witherspoon had a team-high 448 kills while Maya was second with 440…Prayers go out to family and friends of former Kirkwood High star DeVonna Smith, who passed away last week at 35. A 2009 graduate of Kirkwood, Smith was an all-state player in both basketball and track. She also lettered in softball, volleyball and soccer. She did it all. She played one year of hoops at Saint Louis U. before finishing her career at UMSL.. She was recently inducted into the Kirkwood High Athletic Hall of Fame…Congratulations to Cardinal Ritter girls track and field star Kyndal Spain, who officially signed with South Carolina last week. Spain, a state champion hurdler, is one of the best in the Midwest region in the event. She has been a big part of the Ritter girls track and field dynasty that has won four consecutive state championships…Former MICDS basketball standout Jessica Brooks recently scored her 1,000th point in her collegiate career at Washington University. Brooks reached the milestone in the Bears victory over Hyatt last week in the championship game of the Hyatt Place Tournament in Rock Island, IL. A 5’9” graduate student, Brooks is a two-time All University Athletic Association First-Team selection.