by Lonnel Cole, Argus Sports
They were one of the most explosive, dominant high school football teams in the entire St Louis metropolitan area for the first six weeks of the season. In a prolific four-game stretch they outscored the opposition 248-7.
No, we’re not talking about East St. Louis, CBC or Cardinal Ritter, but rather the Jennings High Warriors who ran roughshod over their foes-until they didn’t. Although their level of opponents may not be confused with power programs, the fact of the matter is Jennings were beating all the teams they were facing and for a four-game stretch it wasn’t remotely close: Normandy, a nearby rival fell 57-0, Affton from South County took a 56-0 pounding, then Duchesne from St Charles County was overwhelmed 66-7 and later Clayton 69-0.
Not surprisingly, they were scoring in every conceivable manner, from passing to running, to kick returns to interception returns. In fact, quarterback Jeremy Ingrum threw touchdown passes and returned interceptions for touchdowns. Tha-Jae Hawthrone ran in touchdowns. But the one spark plug who caught your attention the most was junior scatback type Jerrell Rideout-Anderson, who looked as quick and as fast anyone in the area, on his way to amassing 600 yards rushing and another 377 yards on just eight returns on the way to scoring a club-high 16 touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Rideout is academically ineligible to play this season, dealing a huge blow to the Warriors attack. He, along with a few other players who graduated, might make it hard for Jennings to duplicate its 8-2 mark of last year, least of all its phenomenally dominant 6-0 start. Ingrum, who passed for 1,514 yards and 21 touchdowns graduated, as well as receiver Jay Henderson, who caught 26 passes for 509 yards and eight touchdowns. But Jennings coach Darrell Green believes the cupboard isn’t bare.
“Yeah we graduated some good talent and we got some good talent coming back,” noted Green. “Anderson missing out on his senior season will hurt.”
By the way, before the Warriors could get to 7-0 last year they were stopped cold by the visiting University City Lions, who were 5-1 at the time, 38-6. Bolstered by a 200-yard rushing effort by Travis Allen, it offset an early 70-yard plus punt return by Rideout to open the scoring.
Jennings eventually finished the campaign with an 8-2 mark, as the powerful St Mary’s Dragons eliminated them 40-24 playoffs. St Mary’s advanced to the Class 4 state semifinals, so a 16-point loss there doesn’t look bad on the record. Green is hoping to build up from last year’s foundation, starting with massive two-way junior tackle Jordan Jones (6-6,345 pounds). Another junior linemen, Joshua Thompson will also be a key lineman, although he seems small (6-3, 235) only compared to Jordan Jones but Green he’ll be very valuable, too.
“We plan on the trenches being a big factor in our program this year,” said Green “Thompson is returning with a fire. He’s been grinding this summer and will be a force in the trenches, too.”
Meanwhile Rogan, who fits the scatback dimensions like Rideout-Anderson is being viewed as playmaker.
“We’re looking for him to have a breakout year this fall,” said Green.
The same could probably be said for senior Deante Long ( 6-2, 175 pound receiver-defensive back) who scored a modest four touchdowns last year, but must be trending upwards that he has been offered a scholarship by Morningside University in Iowa and has verbally committed. Another speedster in the mix is literally a track star in the spring, sophomore receiver-defensive back Denari Lomnick. He joins fellow sophomore receiver-defensive back Michael Scarbrough (5-11, 170) in the mix.
Jennings opens its season at home against John Burroughs on August 28 at 6 p.m. Last year the Warriors beat John Burroughs 27-7.
Photos below left to right: Jennings High massive star lineman Jordan Jones (77) in practice form and publicity poses, while Deante Long (far right) will be primed for a breakout season at wide receiver or defensive back before taking his talents to Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa next season. Photos courtesy of Jennings social media pages.
