CLASS 6 SEMIFINALS
Six Star Football breaks down the Missouri Class 6 football semifinals.
Eureka (12-0) at Christian Brothers (11-1), 7 p.m. Friday
Eureka 2018 RB Hassan Haskins is among the state’s premier running backs. He has committed to Michigan.
Eureka Wildcats (12-0)
About Eureka: The Wildcats have been on a roll since game one and they haven’t taken their foot off the gas pedal once. Playing a traditional and unceasing style of football, Eureka has looked untouchable in nearly every game this season as they seem to come alive in the second half of play.
Led by arguably the best running back in the state, 2018 Hassan Haskins has set the tone on offense averaging 9.3 yards per carry with over 2,000 total yards for the season. However, Haskins does not walk alone. Junior quarterback Tyler Kennedy
contributes through the air and on foot, as well as wide receiver Trent Obermoeller, and senior standout Brendan Schlittler on the line, among others.
Eureka wins: Fort Zumwalt West, Howell, Pattonville, Marquette, Lafayette, Parkway South, McCluer North, Lindbergh, Northwest, Seckman, Lafayette, Lindbergh.
Eureka losses: None.
Players to Watch: Tyler Kennedy (6’0, 180, QB, 2019), Brendan Schlitter (6’5, 300, OL, 2018), Avery Taggert (6’3, 220, TE, 2019), Adam Fuqua (5’10,175, CB, 2018).
Top College Prospect: Hassan Haskins (6’2, 210, RB, 2018). The Michigan commit has played great football all season scoring an impressive 34 touchdowns this season. He is strong, creative, and has a nose for the end zone like few others in the state. Haskins is second in the STL area with 34 TDs and fourth in rushing with 2,072 yards on the ground and is averaging 9.3 yards per carry. If CBC can slow him down, that could very well be the difference.
Underrated Performer: Although the word “underrated” may be a stretch, the player that comes to mind is Ben Hunnius (6’0, 200, LB, 2018). An athlete who can be a pest to go up against, Hunnius has 79 solo tackles and six sacks for the year. Eureka is especially good on defense, and Hunnius is a big reason for the team’s unity and efficient communication on the go. Hunnius has recently visited Central Missouri and Northwest Missouri State.
CBC senior Lonell Boyd Jr. has been a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball this season for the Cadets.
CBC Cadets (11-1)
About Christian Brothers: On paper, CBC is among the most talented teams in the state. They have one of the state’s most talented QB-WR tandem in Brett Gabbert
and Cameron Brown, a tough No. 2 WR in Tyler Walton, an underrated RB in 2019 Bryan Bradford
, the state’s most talented OL and a host of good, tough players on defense and special teams. They quite simply don’t have many weaknesses.
Gabbert has had a big season throwing the ball, completing 70 percent of his passes for 2,400 yards, 30 TDs and just four INTs. Bradford has rushed for 1,250 yards, and Brown and Walton have combined for nearly 2,000 receiving yards and 20 TDs.
The key for Eureka will be establishing the run and getting pressure on Gabbert.
CBC wins: Miller, Edwardsville (Ill.), Chaminade, DeSmet, SLUH, Jefferson City, Rockhurst, Vianney, McCluer North, Marquette, Hazelwood Central.
CBC losses: Christian Brothers (Memphis, Tenn.).
Players to Watch: Bryan Bradford (6’0, 210, RB, 2019), Carson Buddenmyer (6’3, 215, TE/DE, 2019), Brady Feeney
(6’5, 280, RT, 2020), Brett Gabbert (6’1, 190, QB, 2019), Josh Plohr
(6’6, 265, LT, 2019), Ben Stater (6’4, 310, G, 2019), Anthony Tillman (5’10, 185, DB, 2019), Faze Thomas (6’6, 300, DT, 2019).
Top College Prospect: Cameron Brown. He has come up big in some of the most critical moments this season for CBC, putting together huge games against Rockhurst and Vianney, where he caught four TDs. He makes tough catches, can run away from a defense and is a tough, hard nosed blocker on the edge who even moves over and plays some corner on defense. He had a host of high major offers and re-committed to Nebraska before the season.
Underrated performer: Lonell Boyd Jr (5’8, 170, DB, 2018). Kid is a player. Even on a team stacked with future FBS players, Boyd stands out as a playmaker on defense, a hard hitter and a kid that sets the tone. He has a natural instinct for the big play, whether it is an INT, a fumble recovery or a key tackle. Does a great job at the line against the run. Had a team-high six INTs.
Park Hill (10-2) at Blue Springs (10-2), 1 p.m., Saturday
Blue Springs RB Cade Musser, left, and Caleb Marquez, right, have helped lead the Wildcats running game this season.
Blue Springs Wildcats (10-2)
About Blue Springs: The Wildcats are an exceptionally talented team, one that looks on paper and on the field like a future college team. They have tremendous size, athleticism, a wealth of future college football players and talent at seemingly every position. At some positions, like running back, the team has a log jam of talent.
This team is built in large part in the trenches where they are talented on both sides of the ball. On its defense front line, Blue Springs features Daniel Parker Jr., Khristian Boyd and Caleb Marquez, a tremendous trio of future Division I players. On the offensive line, the Wildcats have, arguably, the top tandem of tackles in the state with Parker Jr. and Conrad Rowley
.
Blue Springs is talented in the secondary defensively where they are led by FCS recruit Nick Hessefort, and on offense, they have an experienced and talented QB in Chase Donohoe, a stable of running backs in Aveion Bailey, Cade Musser and others, and at receiver they have Tre Wheaton and TE Caleb Marquez among others.
Blue Springs wins: Lee’s Summit, Lee’s Summit West, Shawnee Mission West (Kan.), Rockhurst, Lee’s Summit North, Blue Springs South, Ray-Pec, Jefferson City, Ft Zumwalt West, Blue Springs South.
Blue Springs losses: Fayetteville (Ark.), Park Hill.
Players to Watch: Cade Musser (6’1, 180, RB, 2018), Tre Wheaton (6’2, 180, WR, 2018), Nick Hessefort (6’3, 180, S, 2018), Azaiah Bello (6’2, 205, S, 2018), Caleb Marquez (6’4, 245, TE/DE, 2018), Conrad Rowley (6’5, 275, OL, 2019), Khristian Boyd (6’4, 305, DT, 2018)
Top College Prospect: Daniel Parker Jr. (6’4, 245, OL/DL, 2018) The Mizzou recruit has long been thought of as a defensive end in the college game, but he has shown that he could be a guard or tackle on the offensive line as well. He locks people up on the offensive side of the ball and brings unique athleticism and versatility to the field. And, he’s still an elite DE, capable of changing a game.
Underrated Performer: Aveion Bailey (5’11, 206, RB, 2019). Bailey is making a case for being the top 2019 RB in the Kansas City area. He is tough and physical and able to get yards after first contact, but also has explosive quickness and is able to make people miss. The Wildcats are loaded at the RB position and so, while the the group, none of their numbers are eye-popping, but collectively, this group is a handful and capable of carrying a team.
Park Hill Trojans (10-2)
About Park Hill: Park Hill won the first match-up between these two teams in a close, down-to-the wire game (28-25) and they are playing good football right now. Only problem is, it appears Blue Springs has hit its stride.
Park Hill has several talented performers on both sides of the ball, but their best player might be Ronnie Bell (6’1, 170, WR, 2018) who has committed to play basketball at Missouri State, but might be the KC area’s premier offensive player this season. He is a technical route runner, but brings explosive athleticism and the ability to make plays. The Trojans also feature a talented QB who had put together a huge season throwing the ball, as well as several talented players on the defensive side of the ball.
Park Hill wins: Lee’s Summit North, Lee’s Summit, Park Hill South, Blue Springs, Ray-Pec, Liberty North, Blue Springs South, Kickapoo, Lee’s Summit, Rockhurst.
Park Hill losses: Free State, Lee’s Summit West
Players to watch: Ronnie Bell (6’1, 170, WR, 2018), Joe Webb (5’10, 170, WR, 2019), Damaney Johnson (6’0 195, RB/DB, 2018), Dorian Clayton (5’11, 215, RB, 2018), Billy Maples (6’3, 215, QB, 2018), Javion Guthrite (6’0, 170, S, 2019), Randen Plattner (6’3, 215, ATH, 2018), Brighton Ramierz (6’1, 235, LB, 2018), Seth Garrison
(6’1, 200, S, 2019).
Top College Prospect: Johnny Wilson
(6’2, 230, DE, 2020). Even on a team that has several future Division I players and a few that have already committed, Wilson is a standout, a potential FCS player who already holds multiple offers. He is an athletic defensive end who is quick and aggressive off the edge but also competes well against the run.
Underrated performer: Brighton Ramirez (6’1, 235, MLB, 2018). Kid has had a heck of a season, recording 131 total tackles, including 35 for loss and seven sacks. He is a strong, physical player who was one of the hardest hitters in the Kansas City area.
