Lift for Life Academy’s football program had a major breakthrough last season when it advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3 state playoffs.
It was a good building block for head coach Tony Woolfolk in his first year at the helm. Woolfolk is hoping that last year’s postseason run was only a stepping stone for his program. In his second season, he has added more talent to the roster while playing a more ambitious schedule.
The Hawks made a big statement in their opening game last weekend when they scored a 22-17 road victory at MICDS. Like Lift for Life, MICDS was also a state semifinalist a year ago, but in Class 5.
Ron Holtman Field at MICDS is one of the toughest places in the St. Louis area to get a win, but the Hawks were able to get it done with a strong effort from both its offensive and defensive units. It was also a historic night as it was the Friday night game ever played at MICDS.
Junior quarterback Phoenix Isaiah threw a pair of touchdown passes to junior receiver Ekeilan Henderson, who made several other big plays on offense. The Hawks also got big performances from returning seniors Jay’Veon Scott, Kam Hurst and Tony Woolfolk. Scott and Hurst and Division I prospects while Woolfolk is a speedy receiver who makes big plays.
The MICDS game was just the start of the rugged schedule that Woolfolk has put together for his talented team. The Hawks will play Cahokia on Saturday at the Gateway Scholars Classic in East St. Louis. Also on the schedule are Jefferson City Helias, a Class 5 state finalist last year, Class 6 SLUH and a trip to Baylor, Tennessee.
“We feel like David and Goliath,” said Woolfolk of his schedule. “We’re small, but we’re mighty. We have talent and we have some great coaches, so we feel like we’re ready to go.”
Some Top Performers From Opening Week of Football
- Senior quarterback Nick McClellan of CBC passed for 239 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown in the Cadets 63-20 victory against Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin.
- Senior running back Terrance Little of Hazelwood East rushed for 252 yards and five touchdowns in the Spartans’ 45-0 victory over Hazelwood West.
- Senior wide receiver Jacob Eberhart of Kirkwood had 11 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown in the Pioneers 10-3 victory over Fort Zumwalt West.
- Junior running back Tristan Moss of Timberland rushed for 183 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns in the T-Wolves 29-13 victory over Holt
- Senior quarterback Brett Ottensmeyer of Parkway West completed 24 of 26 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns in the Longhorns’ 28-27 victory over Seckman
- Junior quarterback Jayden Ellington of Althoff rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 136 yards and a touchdown in the Crusaders’ 34-14 victory over Alton.
- Junior quarterback Tay’ven Williams of North Point rushed for 153 yards and one touchdown and passed for 123 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-0 victory over Francis Howell North.
- Senior running back Vic Williams of CBC rushed for 116 yards and scored three touchdowns in the Cadets’ 63-20 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin.
Jordan Boyd commits to Northern Iowa
Standout basketball player Jordan Boyd of DeSmet has given a commitment to Northern Iowa. A 6’4” guard, Boyd is one of the top returning players in the St. Louis area. As a junior, he averaged 13.3 points and 6.2 rebounds in helping the Spartans to a 25-4 record. As a sophomore, he averaged 10 points a game to help the Spartans to the Class 5 state championship. He also had a strong summer grassroots season with Mid Pro South. He was the Most Valuable Player in the RecruitLooks Circuit in the 17U division.
Gateway Scholars Classic Lineup
The Gateway Scholars Classic will be held on Saturday at Clyde C. Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis. The four-game event features teams from several different states. The opening game will feature the debut of girls’ flag football at the event with Belleville East taking on host East St. Louis at 11 a.m. In the second game, it will be Wheaton St. Francis from Suburban Chicago against Mt. Zion Prep from Lanham, Maryland. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. The third game of the event will feature Lift for Life vs. Cahokia at 4:30 p.m. In the finale, host East St. Louis will face Gadsden County from Havana, Florida. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Top Games of the Week
Cardinal Ritter at CBC, Friday, 6 p.m.
MICDS at DeSmet, Friday, 6 p.m.
Fort Zumwalt North at Francis Howell, Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Lutheran North at Blair Oaks, Friday, 7 p.m.
SLUH at Hillsboro, Friday, 7 p.m.
Hazelwood Central at Lafayette, Friday, 7 p.m.