The renovation of the Muny’s upper plaza...
Read More
JIM WIENERS’ SPORTS ROUNDUP: McCluer Wins!
Football Shutouts Give McCluer
High First 2-0 Start Since 2008
By Jim Wieners
What a change in McCluer High School Football as the Comets coming off an 0-10 season a year ago, and a 16-game losing streak dating back to 2017, to a 2-0 start, something that last took place in 2008 during a 4-0 start.
In addition, the Comets outscored their first two opponents 56-0, something not done before in this century, or millennium. All this for first year head coach Howard Brown, who came from McCluer South-Berkeley after MSB became STEAM Academy and dropped football.
McCluer snapped a 17-game losing streak with an 8-0 win Aug. 39 at 0-2 Jennings, a team Brown is familiar with during his Berkeley-MSB years. A 35-yard touchdown pass from senior Jaylen Gardner to sophomore Kameron Gillespie in the first quarter was the only scoring. The game stopped in the second quarter due to thunderstorms and a tornado warning, which the tornado was apparently on radar in southwest St. Louis County.
Weather was clearer Sept. 6 as McCluer made their first trip to Gravois and Tesson Ferry Roads and Lutheran High School South. The results were clearer, a four-quarter game and a 48-0 Comet whitewashing of the Lancers. After a scoreless first quarter, McCluer scored in the final three quarter and the Comets sealed their second win with a 20-point third quarter and the rolling clock went into effect with 2:26 left. Gardner led the Comets with a pair of second-half rushing touchdowns and a second-quarter touchdown pass.
McCluer heads back to south St. Louis County Friday, Sept. 13 for a 7 p.m. game at 1-1 Oakville, a team the Comets lost by forfeit last year. McCluer gets to play their first home, and Suburban Conference, XII North Division, game Sept. 21 when the Comets welcome the McCluer North Stars for a 12-noon kickoff.
McCLUER NORTH was also a victim of the Aug 30 storm and tornado warning as the game stopped in the first quarter but not before the Stars (1-1) trailed the visiting 1-1 Edwardsville (Ill.) Tigers 7-6. It was the result as the Stars lost their 13th consecutive season opener after winning the 2006 opener. Senior Angelo Butts rushed for a touchdown with 4:52 left but the Stars failed on the two-point conversion while Edwardsville got a Justin Johnson touchdown and Jonathan Robert kicked the extra point with 2:06 left.
It was a very different story for McCluer North in traveling Sept. 6 to Southeast Missouri and Sikeston. The Stars won a 48-0 defensive shutdown in holding the 1-1 Sikeston offense to 25 total yards while the offense scored 24 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Senior Travon Springfield rushed the ball 14 times for 151 yards and three touchdowns while Butts ran for a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. After hosting 0-2 Parkway South Friday at 4:15, the Stars will visit McCluer Sept. 21 at 12 noon.
HAZELWOOD CENTRAL is heading to “Wildcat Road” the next two weeks against 1-1 teams beginning Friday, 7 p.m. in Eureka. The Hawks begin their quest for their sixth straight Suburban XII North title (eight overall including two in the Suburban North Conference) Sept. 21 with a 1 p.m. game at Hazelwood West.
Hazelwood Central was shut out at home 35-0 Aug. 31 by DeSmet Jesuit as the Spartans outscored the Hawks 72-2 in the last two games. The Hawks rebounded Sept. 6 with a 28-14 win at 0-2 Webster Groves, losers of 14 straight since 2017. Junior Andre Cooper ran for a pair of first-half touchdowns, senior Kristian Cross broke a 14-14 third-quarter tie with and 85-yard return of a blocked field goal and senior Kayden Jackson added a 65-yard run in the fourth quarter.
HAZELWOOD EAST hosts 1-1 Lindbergh Saturday, Sept. 14, at 1 p.m. before beginning Suburban XII North play Sept. 21 with a 1 p.m. with currently 0-2 Riverview Gardens. Hazelwood East splits two home games winning 38-0 Aug. 31 over 1-1 University City and losing 33-24 Sept. 6 to 2-0 Lafayette.
Hazelwood East scored 32 points against University City in the first half as sophomore Octavion Henderson threw two touchdown passes sophomore Armon Hill rushed for two more and the Spartan defense had two “pick sixes.” Lafayette scored 22 points in the second quarter while Hazelwood East scored 16 in the fourth as Hill and sophomore Xavier Dozier (106 rushing yards) each scored a touchdown.
