Earl’s Pick Game of the Week
Kirkwood (3-1) at Eureka (4-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
An excellent matchup between two teams with lofty postseason aspirations. Eureka is undefeated with its high-powered offense that averages 47 points a game. The Wildcats are led by quarterback Patrick Hutchcraft, who has passed for 878 yards and six touchdowns. Running back Brandon Webb has scored 11 touchdowns. Craig Ringe and Garrett Anders are a strong tandem of receivers with a combined five touchdowns.
Kirkwood has a talented quarterback in Cooper Owens, who has passed for 1,011 yards and nine touchdowns. His top target is University of Illinois recruit Jacob Eberhart, who has 438 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Lift for Life (3-1) at SLUH (4-0), Friday, 6 p.m.
This is a very intriguing matchup featuring one of the area’s top large schools in SLUH against one of the best small schools in Lift for Life. SLUH has been on a roll as it is off to a 4-0 start for the first time in 20 years. Senior two-way standout Keenan Harris, who is headed to Missouri,, leads the team. Quarterback Kyren Eleby has thrown for 728 yards and eight touchdowns while senior Jordan Taylor has rushed for 410 yards.
Lift for Life is 3-1 while playing against one of the toughest schedules in the area for a small school. It is led by junior quarterback Phoenix Isaiah, along with talented running back Jay’Veon Scott and receivers Tony Woolfolk Jr. and Ekeilan Henderson.
Hillsboro (3-1) at Festus (4-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
This battle of top Jefferson County programs is annually one of the best in the St. Louis metro area. Festus played for a Class 4 state championship last season, and the Tigers have started the season off at 4-0. They are led by quarterback Parker Perry, who has passed for 996 yards and nine touchdowns. Leauntae Williams is the top rushing threat with 382 yards and five touchdowns. Hillsboro was in the state championship game two seasons ago. The 3-1 Hawks are led by dual-threat quarterback Braxton Chazelle, who has amassed 500 yards of total offense and six touchdowns.
Hazelwood East (3-1) at Parkway North (3-1), Thursday, 6 p.m.
This is a Suburban Conference battle of 3-1 teams. Parkway North is on a three-game winning streak. The Vikings are averaging 40 points a game in those three victories. Running back Antoine Gunn is a player to watch with 221 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Hazelwood East is looking to rebound from its first loss of the season last weekend at Ladue. Running back Terrance Little has scored 11 touchdowns, which is among the leaders in the St. Louis area.
John Burroughs (1-3) at MICDS (2-2), Saturday, 2 p.m.
Saturday’s contest marks the 100th anniversary of one of the oldest rivalries in the St. Louis area. Junior quarterback Noah Menneke has thrown six touchdowns for MICDS with two of his top receivers being senior Minnesota recruit Gabe Weaver and Graham Faust. John Burroughs comes into the contest on a high after posting a big 49-7 victory over Lutheran South last weekend.