What have we learned from the first week of the fall sports season?
Well, not much, but there’s still plenty to discuss.
As we suspected, Borgia, St. Clair and Sullivan appear to be the three best football teams in the area.
I think you can throw Washington in the mix as well.
The Blue Jays had their chances against St. Clair, but the Bulldogs made big plays down the stretch to win the game.
You have to think Union is better than what they showed against Poplar Bluff.
The problem for the Wildcats is that three of their next four games are against Borgia, Sullivan and St. Clair. And the other game is against Pacific, hardly a pushover.
If Union can keep its head above water, the schedule gets a bit easier in the second half of the season.
On the other hand, Washington’s schedule is a grind all the way.
Nothing will be easy for the Blue Jays, who have players like Ft. Zumwalt South’s Chase Abbington and Vianney’s Markel Smith waiting on the horizon.
Pacific is young, but talented. The Indians will win some games before it’ s all over.
The great thing about those top three teams is not only are they all in the same district, but they all play against each other during the regular season.
St. Clair visits Sullivan on Sept. 14.
Borgia’s last two games of the regular season are at St. Clair Oct. 12 and at Sullivan Oct. 19.
And then district play begins on Oct 26. Class 4 District 3 will be interesting to follow.
Will it be a three-horse race between Borgia, St. Clair and Sullivan or will someone else surprise the field like Union, Pacific, Westminster, Priory or Ladue?
In last week’s openers, Westminster defeated Wheaton Academy (Chicago) 38-19. Ladue lost to a traditionally strong Parkway Central team, 42-17. And Priory lost to Alton Marquette, Ill., 55-34.
It’s hard to pick against teams like Borgia, St. Clair and Sullivan, who all have experienced senior quarterbacks.
Borgia’s John Baumstark, St. Clair’s Kyle Juergens and Sullivan’s Adam Tiefenbrunn all had strong opening games.
But all three teams also have many other weapons beside their quarterback, which makes them dangerous.
I give Washington a fighting chance in Class 5 District 4. Luke Hasenjaeger is another senior quarterback. Randall Flotte is a talented running back.
District favorite Camdenton lost to Hillcrest 18-12 last week. Lebanon beat Rolla 28-12 in a game between two other district teams. Waynesville won and Smith-Cotton lost.
That district appears to be up-for-grabs.
What about some of the other fall sports?
Washington and Union were to meet in the championship game of the Union Softball Tournament last Saturday, but it was rained out.
I’d say those are the two teams to beat right now in the area. Pacific also is a dangerous team. St. Clair is off to a good start. Sullivan is always strong.
In boys soccer, Borgia and Washington both opened the season with impressive home victories.
The Four Rivers Conference will be a dog fight with Union, Pacific, St. Clair and Sullivan slugging it out.
Most area volleyball and cross country teams have yet to start their respective seasons.
As everyone knows, Borgia, Washington and Hermann all have great volleyball programs. Watch out for New Haven, Pacific, Union and St. Clair.
We always seem to have a few talented cross country runners in the area and this season should be no exception.
