Jockeying for position in the postseason, area football teams have two more games to try to earn homefield advantage for the 10th week.
This week’s matchups include homecoming games, a huge Class 4 District 3 contest and a game between the area’s lone undefeated team and only winless team.
Borgia (4-3) at St. Clair (6-1)
A game with huge playoff implications takes place in St. Clair Friday.
Borgia needs a win to salvage its hopes for a 10th game at home while St. Clair is looking to gain ground on Sullivan in the Class 4 District 3 standings.
The Bulldogs have a potent offense led by quarterback Kyle Juergens. Speed is St. Clair’s friend as backs Adam Brott and Rickey Grivetti are two of the fastest players in the area. St. Clair also has an edge on the line, but might have to go without Josh Haynes this week.
Borgia has to take better care of the football and John Baumstark needs to find his other weapons if the Knights are going to have a chance. That means Ray Smith, Robbie Vossbrink, Tony Helfrich and Jacob Haskins need to get offensive touches if the Knights are going to have success.
Massey Ratings/USA Today High School Sports — St. Clair 42, Borgia 27
Calpreps.com — St. Clair 40, Borgia 26
Ft. Zumwalt East (5-2) at Washington (4-3)
It’s the final GAC Central game for both teams with plenty on the line.
Both the Blue Jays and the Lions are 2-1 in the league, one game behind 3-0 Holt.
The winner will share the conference title if Holt falls to Ft. Zumwalt South.
In the larger picture, Washington is less than two points behind Camdenton for second place in the Class 5 District 4 standings. The top two teams earn first-round byes and will host district semifinal games.
Players to watch for East are quarterback Shane Barrett, who by far is the team’s leading rusher, and outside linebacker Mason Burnett, who is being recruited by Division I schools.
Blue Jays’ running back Randall Flotte has scored six touchdowns in the last two weeks.
Massey Ratings/USA Today High School Sports — Ft. Zumwalt East 35, Washington 28
Calpreps.com — Ft. Zumwalt East 34, Washington 28
St. James (3-4) at Union (3-4)
Union looks to continue its late-season surge when it entertains St. James Friday night.
Union’s offense centers on ball distribution through quarterback Blake Hulsey, who is back at full health. He can throw or run with the ball. Expect at least a half-dozen players to see carries or receptions.
St. James is led by quarterback Dusty Snelson and the Tigers also like to throw the ball quite a bit. St. James has lost three in a row coming into this game and four of the last five, so the Tigers will be looking to gain any momentum it can for the postseason.
Massey Ratings/USA Today High School Sports — Union 31, St. James 14
Calpreps.com — Union 24, St. James 21
Pacific (1-6) at Hermann (3-4)
Playing against Sullivan and St. Clair over the last two weeks, Hermann hopes to return to the win column against the Indians.
Hermann’s Saige Hale returned a kickoff for a touchdown last week against St. Clair and looks to provide a spark once again.
The top offensive threats are quarterback Winkelmann and running back Armando Matech.
Capping offensive drives with points is the goal for the Indians, who were shut out last week against Festus.
Sophomore quarterback Eain Roberts continues to show improvement. Fellow sophomore Dalton Voyles leads the defense at the linebacker position.
Massey Ratings/USA Today High School Sports — Hermann 27, Pacific 24
Calpreps.com — Pacific 26, Hermann 21
Owensville (0-7) at Sullivan (7-0)
Teams at the opposite ends of the spectrum meet in Sullivan Friday night.
Owensville will be seeking its first win while Sullivan is trying to stay undefeated.
The Dutchmen look to Terrick Ellis to lead the offense while Gage Tayloe is one of the key players on both sides of the ball.
Adam Tiefenbrunn leads Sullivan’s potent offense from the quarterback position. The Eagles have a stable of backs, including Justin Biermann, Clayton Mayer and Caden Wiegl.
Massey Ratings/USA Today High School Sports — Sullivan 48, Owensville 0
Calpreps.com — Sullivan 62, Owensville 0
