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Hazelwood Central Football Begins Chojnacki Era Aug. 18 At DeSmet
By Jim Wieners
Brent Chojnacki begins his era as the 12th head football coach in the combined history of Hazelwood High School and Hazelwood Central High, ninth at Hazelwood Central, Aug.18 when the Hawks visit DeSmet Jesuit High for a 7 p.m. kickoff
HAZELWOOD CENTRAL is coming off an 11-1 season and a Class Six, District Two runner up (also known as State Quarterfinal) finishes behind eventual State Semifinalist Christian Brothers College High. It was the final game for Chojnacki’s predecessor Van Vanatta, who begins his tenure at Columbia-Rock Bridge the same night against Kansas City-Rockhurst. DeSmet was 2-8 last year including two losses to CBC, one of them ended the Spartans’ season in the opening round of Class Six, District Two.
It’s the eighth consecutive year Hazelwood Central and DeSmet have met and it is the sixth time they open the season. Three times the two teams had rematches in the post-season. Since 2010 Hazelwood Central has won seven times including a 26-14 home win last year while DeSmet has won three with the last being a 40-30 Class Six, District Two semifinal game at Central in 2012.
The Hawks will have to replace at least four key graduates. They include Antonio Triplett, Jr., who completed 81 passes for 1,527 yards and 17 touchdowns, Paul Sullivan, with 32 pass receptions for 560 yards and six touchdowns, Jordan Carey, with 107 total tackles, and Jarame Crawford — with 3,387 yards in kickoffs as well as 42 extra points and six field goals.
While Hazelwood Central travels to O’Fallon, Ill., for the Panthers’ season opener on Aug. 25 DeSmet welcomes Rock Bridge, one of two teams they won last year, and Vanatta.
HAZELWOOD EAST — Sterling Finney is slated begin his second year at Hazelwood East on Aug. 19 when the Spartans welcome University City to Rick Gorzynski Field for a 1 p.m. kickoff (earlier if it is too hot). The Spartans are coming off an 8-3 season, their 40 consecutive season of finishing .500 or better and was a Class Five, District Two runner up to eventual quarterfinalist Chaminade College Prep.
University City was 0-10 last year including a 61-6 season-opening rout by the Spartans at Muhl-Schemmer Stadium. Hazelwood East has defeated University City two times in the last three games.
Hazelwood East will have to replace graduate linebacker Tayveon Buchannon, with 110 total tackles, and graduate kicker/punter Jordan Diggs, with 1,463 punting yards and 1,287 kickoff yards.
HAZELWOOD WEST — For the first time Hazelwood West will host a Friday afternoon game Aug. 18 when the Wildcats host Webster Groves in a 4:15 after school game. Last year Webster Groves defeated Hazelwood West 42-6 in the3 season-opener at Moss Field behind Hixson Middle School. However, the Wildcats went on to finish 4-6 last year while the Statesmen finished 3-7.
Hazelwood West will have to replace graduated linebacker Krishon Merriweather, who led the Wildcats with 202 total tackles.
McCLUER opens the season with five Friday games including four in the late afternoon and after school. The Comets will open Aug. 18 in a 4:15 game at Jennings, which had lights installed on their field but will only use them two times this season, Sept. 15 versus Suburban Central Conference American Division rival Affton and Sept. 22 versus Warrenton.,
McCluer was 3-7 last season with one of their wins an 18-0 season-opening shutout of Jennings, which finished 4-6. The Comets are unbeaten in five games against the Warriors since 2008.
McCLUER NORTH will open their 10th consecutive season against Jefferson City when the Jays visit Stars Stadium for a 4:15 after school game on May 18. McCluer North was 1-9 last season while Jefferson City was 6-5 and a Class Six, District Three Semifinalist. Jefferson City has defeated McCluer North 12 consecutive times including two Class 5A State Finals and the Jays Shut out the Stars 38-0 at Pete Adkins Stadium.
RIVERVIEW GARDENS will open their second consecutive season in Poplar Bluff when the Mules host the Rams Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. The Rams were 4-6 last year and were a Class Four, District Three Semifinalist while Poplar Bluff, which defeated the Rams 48-8 last year, was 8-2.
