Get ready for an epic high school football showdown as state title champs Ritter host former champs in their season opener.
Passing fancy: Cardinal Riitter all-state quarterback on the state champion Lions expects to throw the ball early, often, and well, this coming season with a strong offensive line, great receivers and a topnotch running back for balance, as Ritter aims for a third straight state title. Boyd is shown here in practice this week. (Photo by Leon Algee Jr.)
The Cardinal Ritter Lions have been on an unprecedented pursuit of perfection, in winning their last 28 straight football games and two straight state titles in the process. But Lions coach Brennan Spain has not necessarily been caught up in the long run of dominance as much he has just tried to keep the program from getting too complacent over its success.
“My main concern is just staying consistent, ” he said, as he watched his team conclude a practice with light running on Monday afternoon. “We have so many players who have been so talented and successful the last two years, we want to make sure they keep working hard.”
Indeed, Spain has reiterated that, contrary to general perception, the Lions haven’t just shown up on game day and basically rolled opponents.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, people don’t realize how much hard work and preparation has gone into getting the players ready,” he said during the early juncture of the playoffs and later added in another round: “As coaches we don’t get enough credit for the work we put in.”
Needless to say, it has paid dividends, as the Lions begin defense of that 28-game winning streak by hosting the Jackson High Indians (of Jackson, Mo.) in a battle of perennial state title contenders in a 7 p.m. kickoff next Friday, Aug.30.
In fact, before Ritter captured two straight state titles, in Class 3 two years ago and Class 5 last year. Incidentally, both Ritter and Jackson will be competing in the state’s highest level, Class 6 this season once the playoff brackets late in the season.
Jackson won consecutive state titles in 2019 and 2020. Last season, the Indians were eliminated in the Class 6 state quarterfinals by CBC, which eventually finished as state runner-up. So we have a reigning two-time state champion against a fairly recent two-time state champion-something’s got to give. Jackson is led by a late-season replacement quarterback in Drew Parsons. In limited duty after replacing the senior starter due to injury, Parson passed for 769 yards and eight touchdowns in the playoffs. Meanwhile, freshman flash Jaylon Hampton, a mere 5-6, 160 pounds produced ‘big’ numbers with 1,179 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns.
“We know they are going to be well-coached and well-prepared,” said Spain. “We’ve got to come ready to make plays and dominate.”
Although Ritter had some notable graduation losses, such as one-half of the dynamic quarterback duo in quarterback Antwon McKay (1,792 yards passing and 22 touchdowns) and a trio of standout defenders in Cam Clayborn, Dominique Dixon and Isaiah Edwards, among others. But the Lions return the ‘other’ quarterback, all-state performer Carson Boyd, who passed for 2,224 yards and 29 touchdowns, with just one (one) interception in completing 128 of 161 attempts. Boyd has already given a verbal commitment to the University of Illinois.
Boyd will have talented offensive linemen, like super sophomore center Anthony Hudson and imposing left tackle Anthony Gladney (6-5, 270), as skill position stars, running back Jamarion Parker and receiver DJ Miller. Parker rushed for 1,644 yards and scored 26 touchdowns, while Miller snared 66 passes from Boyd and McKay and scored 24 touchdowns
One of the more unheralded weapons could receiver, DeShaun “The Machine” Stevenson, who hauled in 37 catches for 939 yards and nine touchdowns, including one spectacular playoff-catch touchdown
Parker, who has indicated he will likely sign with the University of Nebraska, produced those numbers in his first extended run of high school football, after not playing at all the previous season and very limited as a freshman before he stopped playing. That makes his run of success more remarkable. But Spain acknowledged that he fully expects Parker to duplicate that success and then some this coming season.
Another Parker (no relation), Antonio “JuJu” Parker and safety star Vinaz Cobb, who is headed to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) will help lead a talented secondary, where all-state performer Dominique Dixon graduated.
Other season-opening games of interest on August 30 include Normandy at Gateway, Hazelwood Central traveling to play the now-merged programs of Career Academy-Vashon and University City traveling to John Burroughs, where former Vashon coach Will Franklin will make his debut as the University City coach. A site for the Hazelwood Central vs. CA/Vashon hadn’t been disclosed at press time. Please call the participating schools for final game site information.
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