Missouri High School Football Class 4 Semifinal Preview
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
It’s time for the semifinals in the Missouri Class 4 playoffs as four teams are still all vying for a chance to capture state championship gold.
The five-time defending Class 4 champion, Webb City, is still alive after destroying Harrisonville 45-7 last week in the quarterfinals. The only upset in the quarterfinals came when Cape Girardeau Central dominated Affton 54-28. The other two semifinalists are Kearney and Westminster. Both teams won in blowout fashion.
The two semifinal games this Friday will provide some exciting actions as two teams will advance to play for the state title on November 27th in St. Louis.
Webb City Cardinals (13-0) at Cape Girardeau Central Tigers (9-4)
Webb City destroyed Harrisonville 45-7 while Cape Girardeau Central upset Affton 54-28 in the quarterfinals. Webb City is playing for their sixth straight Class 4 crown but they have to travel over 300 miles from the southwest side of the state to south of St. Louis on Friday to play the Tigers.
The Cardinals offense scores 37.6 points a game on average and is led by senior dual-threat quarterback Tyson Roderique (6’0”, 170 pounds). Other Cardinals offensive weapons include running back Keaton Burroughs and wide receiver Derick Newby. The offensive line is led by Missouri commit Trystan Castillo, (6’4”, 285 pounds).
Webb City’s defense only lets opponents score on average 10.7 per game and only six of their opponents have scored in double-digits against them this season. This lockdown unit is led by senior linebacker Kaden Roy (6’5”, 210 pounds) and free safety Kolesen Crane (6’0”, 200 pounds).
Cape Girardeau Central used their great rushing attack last week against Affton when the Tigers ran for an incredible 452 yards and had eight rushing touchdowns. This offense is led by junior quarterback Kway’chon Chism (5’10”, 170 pounds), senior athlete Al Young (6’0”, 175 pounds) and sophomore running back Aaron Harris (5’11”, 195 pounds). Chism had 209 rushing yards and ran for three scores last Friday while Harris and Young combined for 165 yards and three touchdowns.
The Tigers defense gives up on average 23 points a game. Some of the leaders include senior defensive tackle Patrick Buck (6’4”, 235 pounds) and junior defensive end Samuel Lemon (6’2”, 210 pounds).
Kearney Bulldogs (12-1) at Westminster Wildcats (13-0)
Last Friday, Kearney routed Hannibal 35-7 while Westminster destroyed University City 35-13. This week the Bulldogs will take the four hour trip east across the state on I-70 to take on the undefeated Westminster Wildcats.
Kearney’s offense is scoring 45.6 points a game this year and is led by quarterback Logan Hinck and running back Matt Harris, both seniors. Hinck has thrown for 1,564 yards and 19 touchdowns this season while Harris has 1,454 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns.
The Bulldogs have held opponents on average to just under nine points a game. The leaders of the front seven include senior linebackers Cale Garrett (6’3”, 225 pounds), a Navy commit who has 130 tackles, two sacks, and one interception, and Matthew Rule (5’8”, 185 pounds), who has 77 tackles, five sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble. The leader of Kearney’s secondary is senior cornerback Tyler Yount (5’10”, 135 pounds) who leads the team with four interceptions and also has 44 tackles and one fumble recovery.
Will Webb City play for a sixth straight state title? Can Cape Girardeau Central pull off the huge upset? Who can escape this tough matchup between Westminster and Kearney? All this and more will be answered on Friday night.
Photo credit: stltoday.com; Webb City Quarterback Tyson Roderique