Until this season, Week 7 marked the final week before the playoffs.
But, with the new changes to the MSHSAA playoff system, it’s just another week of preparing for the Week 10 assigned playoff games.
Entering Week 7, there is one undefeated team (Sullivan) and one winless team (Owensville). Two games, Westminster at Borgia and Washington at Ft. Zumwalt North, pit teams with the same records against each other.
The Westminster-Borgia game should be very important in the Class 4 District 3 standings as the teams enter the game tied in points for fifth place in the district.
Heavy rain hit the area Friday morning and there remains a 30 percent chance for rain continuing through the night, which could impact games, especially those on grass fields.
Westminster (4-2) at Borgia (4-2)
Westminster enters Friday’s game at Borgia on a two-game skid with losses to Priory and John Burroughs.
Borgia Head Coach Dale Gildehaus feels turnovers will be a huge key in the game. He stated that if Borgia can cause three turnovers, it will win the game.
Some of those turnovers likely would have to be interceptions. Westminster quarterback Brett Bond already has thrown for over 1,000 yards this season with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He has completed 58 of 98 attempts.
Bond also is a threat to run and has 239 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. The Wildcats also run with Alex Rideout (228 yards, five touchdowns) and Trey Merritt (216 yards).
Through the air, Kyle Kinner has caught 27 passes for 562 yards and six touchdowns. Jacob Hicks and Chris Cacciarelli are other capable receivers.
Defensively, Coby Nye is tied for the team lead in tackles and leads the squad in interceptions.
Borgia has got to continue to show improvement in all aspects of the game to have a chance. That means the Knights have got to have a rushing game with John Baumstark and Ray Smith and need to be able to throw the ball effectively.
Defensively, the Knights need to recognize where the ball is and finish tackles.
Massey Ratings/USA Today High School Sports — Westminster 26, Borgia 19
Calpreps.com — Westminster 22, Borgia 21
Washington (3-3) at Ft. Zumwalt North (3-3)
Putting together four quarters is the goal for the Blue Jays, who have scored a combined 85 second-half points in the last two games against Ft. Zumwalt South and Vianney.
Ft. Zumwalt North runs the triple option offense, and has had success throwing the ball out of it with quarterback Zach Hilliard, who has thrown for 759 yards and six touchdowns.
Other offensive threats are running back Deon Lewis (374 yards) and receiver Colin Mueller (266 yards).
The Panthers have scored the least amount of points in the GAC Central, averaging 14.5 points per game, but have allowed the fewest, giving up 16.5 points.
On the flip side, the Blue Jays have scored the most points in the league, averaging 36.5 points, but also have allowed the most at 29.5.
Quarterback Luke Hasenjaeger has thrown for 1,007 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Running backs Randall Flotte and Kyle Summers both have had big games this season.
Massey Ratings/USA Today High School Sports — Washington 26, Ft. Zumwalt North 24
Calpreps.com — Washington 26, Ft. Zumwalt North 21
Hermann (3-3) at St. Clair (5-1)
The Bulldogs play at home for only the second time this season, ending the regular season with three straight games on their field.
The results still have been good with their only loss coming at Sullivan.
St. Clair is healthy with its full arsenal of weapons at its disposal, including quarterback Kyle Juergens, tight end Blake Dierking and running backs Rickey Grivetti, Adam Brott and Josh Martin.
Solid line play on both sides of the ball also has been a key for St. Clair’s success.
Hermann is coming off a 60-7 home loss to Sullivan, but things don’t get any easier this week.
To have a chance, the Bearcats will need big games from quarterback Craig Winkelmann and running back Armando Matech.
Massey Ratings/USA Today High School Sports — St. Clair 42, Hermann 6
Calpreps.com — St. Clair 52, Hermann 7
Union (2-4) at Owensville (0-6)
Union has gained confidence with two wins in a row while the Dutchmen have continued to struggle in trying to put together a victory.
Union sophomore quarterback Blake Hulsey continues to show tremendous improvement while distributing the ball to multiple weapons.
Logan Bellamy was the benefactor last week, scoring three touchdowns in the win over De Soto. But there are others capable of breaking out as well. Other favored receivers include Jacob Carman, Jobie Richardson and Jake Siddens.
Owensville works the ball around, but running back Gage Tayloe has been the team’s most consistent performer. He scored both touchdowns against Pacific last week.
Massey Ratings/USA Today High School Sports — Union 39, Owensville 12
Calpreps.com — Union 38, Owensville 17
Festus (4-2) at Pacific (1-5)
Coming off their first win of the season last week over Owensville, the Indians hope to keep their momentum going, but face a challenge against Festus.
Sophomore quarterback Eain Roberts has shown signs of improvement each week for the Indians. He threw for 175 yards and rushed for three touchdowns last week.
Running back Kelvin Klenke also scored three times against the Dutchmen.
Festus is coming off a 48-31 win over North County. The Tigers have a solid running game, led by Corey Carr, who has rushed for 646 yards and nine touchdowns.
Quarterback Andrew Hayden has passed for 282 yards.
Festus returned two kickoffs for touchdowns last week, meaning Pacific’s special teams play will be a key.
Massey Ratings/USA Today High School Sports — Festus 35, Pacific 7
Calpreps.com — Festus 34, Pacific 7
Sullivan (6-0) at St. James (3-3)
It could be a shootout in Phelps County, but unbeaten Sullivan is expected to score most of the points Friday night.
The Eagles feature a potent running attack with several weapons.
Justin Biermann has scored 13 touchdowns so far this season while rushing for 729 yards. But if teams focus on him, there are Clayton Mayer, Caden Weigl or Adam Weiland also there to pick up yardage.
Adam Tiefenbrunn doesn’t throw often, but is effective with 23 completions in 41 attempts. He’s passed for 356 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. Weiland is the top receiver with 10 catches for 245 yards and six touchdowns.
Defensively, Dalton Turner has been unstoppable. He leads the team with 35 total tackles, including 12 for loss. He has six sacks.
If it rains, that suits Pat Burke’s team. The Eagles are very adaptable to keeping the secured with a ground attack following a capable offensive line.
The Tigers depend on Dusty Snelson to trigger the attack and he’s thrown for 626 yards while completing 41 of 60 attempts for seven touchdowns and six interceptions.
Snelson has run for 125 yards and three scores while Jesse Hays has 161 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Jake Ford is the top target with 312 yards and four touchdowns on 15 catches. Cody Birkner, Braxton Ubben and Levi Witt are other potential pass targets.
Defensively, Hays leads the team in tackles.
Massey Ratings/USA Today High School Sports — Sullivan 48, St. James 7
Calpreps.com — Sullivan 52, St. James 6
