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McCluer, Hazelwood East Football Meet Again; Hazelwood Central Turns Around

By Jim Wieners

    For the second time in their rivalry, McCluer and Hazelwood East Football teams are in a rematch, as they will meet in a Class Four, District Two Semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 8, 1 p.m. at McCluer.

    The winner advances to the District Final against Affton or St. Mary’s. The game will be on Nov. 16 if McCluer wins or Nov. 15 if Hazelwood East wins

     In 1990, McCluer dethroned 1989 Class 5A Champion Hazelwood East in the Sectional, snapping a 24-game, two-year Spartan win streak that included a Spartan win over the Comets. Earlier this season the Comets won 34-24 at East. McCluer, later took second place to Jefferson City.

   McCLUER is currently on a five-game winning streak and is 8-2 overall. The Comets wrapped up Suburban Conference XII North Division play (3-2) Oct. 26 with a 52-6 home rout of 0-10 Riverview Gardens, thanks to a ground game netting 313 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Senior Jaylen rushed for 99 yards and four touchdowns while passing for two more scores

    McCluer opened Class Four, District Two play Nov. 2 as the top-seed won at home 48-8 over Bishop DuBourg. The Comet offense went on an aerial attack on the 2-8 Cavaliers with five touch down passes. Gardner threw at least three (or all five) touchdown passes.

   HAZELWOOD EAST is currently 4-6 and is coming off their first losing regular season since 1976 (3-5-1). The fourth-seeded Spartans snapped a four-game losing streak Nov. 2 with a 34-6 home win over Gateway STEM. The Spartan defense picked off five passes from the 6-4 Jaguars, and three are for 182 and three touchdowns.  Hazelwood East ground game was for 201 yards and two more touchdowns.

    HAZELWOOD CENTRAL is now 5-5 after turning their season around, not just from a four-game losing streak to a four-game winning streak but, also, avenged a 26-19 Sept. 21 loss at Hazelwood West. The sixth-seeded Hawks won 21-14 Nov 2 in a Class Six, District One opener at Hazelwood West.  Last year Hazelwood Central won in Week Four but     Hazelwood West won the rematch in Class Six, District One marking the second consecutive season the Suburban XII North Champs are out in the first round.

    Senior Kayden Jackson is the key player during the four-game Hawk winning streak. In the rematch at West Jackson completed 12 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another touchdown.  In the 18-0 shutout Oct. 26 at McCluer North

Jackson threw for a touchdown while rushing for another.

Friday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. Hazelwood Central visits second-seed Francis Howell High (9-1), a 44-0 winner over visiting Francis Howell Central. The winner plays DeSmet Jesuit or CBC Nov. 15.

    LUTHERAN NORTH did not have a first-round bye, according to an Oct. 24 report, so the now 9-0 Crusaders, the top seed and defending Class Two, District Two champs are coming off a 62-0 Nov. 1 whitewashing of Grandview (Hillsboro). Special teams dominated the first quarter with two punt block returns for touchdowns while senior Aubrey Parker, who caught a second-quarter touchdown pass, returned a first-quarter punt for a touchdown. Freshman James Distaso threw two touchdown passes while sophomore Kevon Jacobs caught a touchdown pass and ran for another.

    On Oct. 25 Lutheran North completed a second unbeaten regular season with a 43-14 rout at Chaminade. The first unbeaten season was in 2002, a state semifinalist. Sophomore Brian Brown threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns, senior Antonio Doyle ran for two touchdowns while catching another and sophomore Ali Wells returned a second quarter kickoff for a touchdown and ran for a third-quarter touchdown

Lutheran North hosts Cuba (Mo.) Friday at 7 p.m. and the winner plays Duchesne or Lift for Life Academy Nov. 14

    TRINITY CATHOLIC, after a bye week, rolled over Vashon 42-0 on Nov. 1. The Class Three, District Three top seed scored three touchdowns on 310 rushing yards while Freshman Chris Cotton threw for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Friday at 7 p.m. the 5-3 Titans host University City, a 6-0 winner over Normandy, with the winner playing Nov. 15 against Priory or John Burroughs (Nov. 16 if Trinity loses).

   McCLUER NORTH and Parkway West, a pair of 6-3 teams, meet Friday, 7 p.m, at Parkway West after both teams had a first round-bye in Class Five, District Three. The winner plays Chaminade or Webster Groves Nov. 15 (Nov. 16 if McCluer North and Webster Groves win).

   HAZELWOOD WEST won their first outright Suburban XII North title Oct. 26 with a 20-6 home win over Hazelwood East. The Wildcats finish the season 8-2, 4-0 conference.