It is going to be a big weekend of football in the Public High League.
The PHL weekend begins on Friday night with a big showdown between Roosevelt and Miller Career Academy for the league championship at Gateway STEM. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. Both teams come into Friday’s contest undefeated in PHL play.
Roosevelt is one of the area’s top turnaround stories of the season. After going winless last season, the Roughriders are currently 5-2 and on the cusp of a PHL title. They have some talented offensive players in sophomore quarterback Tabraon Neal, senior wide receiver Terrell Cannamore and senior Darrius Jackson.
Miller Career Academy has been a perennial PHL contender in recent years, so this is nothing new to the Phoenix. They are led by two-way standout Titus Baker, who has six touchdowns on offense and four interceptions on defense. Running back Byron Terrell also has six touchdowns while the defense is led by Dion Anderson, who leads the team in tackles with 61 and sacks with six. It is also Homecoming for Miller Career Academy.
On Saturday, Vashon will visit Sumner in the renewal of one of the longest standing rivalries in the St. Louis metro area. The two oldest African-American high schools in the area have been playing for the “Brown Jug” since 1927.
The Sumner-Vashon weekend is more of a celebration than just a football game as both schools celebrate their Homecoming weekend together. It will bring together thousands of alums from both schools from all across the country. The kickoff for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., but folks will start showing up for the festivities in the early morning hours. It should be another festive weekend in The Ville neighborhood on Saturday.
Soldan High will also be celebrating its Homecoming on Saturday as it will host Lift for Life at 1 p.m. The school will also be celebrating the 40th anniversary of its 1978 team that won the Public High League championship and finished the season with a perfect 9-0 record. There will be a special ceremony at halftime to celebrate that 1978 team.
Top Individual Performers
*Jameson Williams of Cardinal Ritter had nine receptions for 287 yards and five touchdowns in a 40-35 victory over Borgia.
*C.J. Boone of Parkway North had seven receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Lafayette.
*Daylen Shepperd of Jennings rushed for 151 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns in a victory over Normandy.
*Kalin Black of Christian-O’Fallon caught seven passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over Duchesne.
Pick Game of the Week
Ladue (7-0) at Pattonville (6-1), Friday, 7 p.m. – A battle of two teams that participated in state championship games last season, both have been enjoying successful follow-up seasons. Ladue continues to roll over opponents with its balanced offense and stout defense. The Rams are led by senior Andrew Hunt, who has rushed for 633 yards and 12 touchdowns; and running back Dale Chesson, who has 325 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. The defense is led by the talented interior linemen Moses Okpala and Jelani Davis.
Pattonville will represent the biggest challenge for the Rams to date, this season. The Pirates have won six in succession, including an impressive 42-32 victory over Kirkwood two weeks ago. Pattonville is led by senior running back Sam Sanderson, who has 19 touchdowns, and dual-threat quarterback Andre Webb, who has nearly 1,300 yards of total offense and 10 touchdowns. Linebacker Donovan Prott leads the Pirates defense.
On Tap this Weekend
Rockhurst (6-1) at CBC (6-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Belleville West (6-1) at Edwardsville (4-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
St. Clair (6-1) at Lutheran St. Charles (6-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Lutheran North (4-3) at Farmington (5-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
Borgia (6-1) at Festus (5-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
Cardinal Ritter (7-0) at McCluer South-Berkeley (5-2), Saturday, 1 p.m.
St. Dominic (4-3) at MICDS (6-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
