Parkway South, Eureka, CBC, De Smet play in Class 6 district semifinal football games

Four teams made it out of the first round and advanced to Class 6 district semifinal action.

Here’s the schedule of the games for Friday (Nov. 2):

* Parkway South (8-2) at Eureka (8-2)

* Ritenour (7-3)-0 at CBC (10-0)

Both games games have 7 p.m. kickoffs.

Here’s the schedule of the games for Saturday (Nov. 3):

* De Smet (7-3) at Hazelwood Central (8-2). The game has a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.

District 1:

The seasons began differently for the Parkway South Patriots and Eureka Wildcats. The Patriots won their first seven games. Eureka dropped its first two games.

The Wildcats have not lost since and defeated the visiting Patriots 17-0 on Oct. 18.

Eureka coach Farrell Shelton said his club did not panic after losing to Lafayette and CBC in the first two games. Both of those teams remain undefeated heading into play Friday.

“We have not done anything different in regards to philosophy since the first two games,” Shelton said. “We were our worst enemy in those games, especially in terms of turnovers.”

The Wildcats, who blanked Mehlville 35-0 last week in their playoff opener, are in good shape heading into the game with Parkway South.

“For the most part, we are healthy but there is no team out there that is 100 percent at this point,” Shelton said.

The win last month will not be a factor, according to Shelton. That was then, this is now.

“Parkway South is as disciplined of a team that you will find right now,” Shelton said. “They do not beat themselves and are very well coached. Most importantly they are led by some very good seniors who are experienced in big games.  Just like first game it will come down to turnovers and creating field position.”

Parkway South coach Joe Rosewell agreed.

“We will have to raise the level of our play to have a chance to win,” Rosewell said. “We can’t make the same mistakes as the first game and expect to beat a good team.”

In the first meeting, the Patriots had 14 penalties and four turnovers. That is not a recipe for successful football.

Parkway South opened the postseason with a 10-7 win over Lindbergh.

“We’re playing well,” Rosewell said. “And we as healthy as can be expected at the end of the year — mainly bumps and bruises. The win against Lindbergh was big. Parkway South hasn’t had a playoff victory (or even a playoff game) since 2000.”

Now, the Patriots get a rematch with Eureka. Rosewell said he and his team respects the Wildcats.

“Eureka is a big, talented, physical, well coached football team,” Rosewell said.

His squad will be ready.

“The team appears more focused than excited,” Rosewell said. “We’ve been preparing all season for this opportunity.”

District 2:

CBC coach Scott Pingel said his club is in good shape for its game with Ritenour.

“We are relatively healthy and most of our guys are back,” Pingel said. “We get a cornerback this week from a concussion.”

Being undefeated is not on the Cadets’ minds, Pingel said. They know it’s strictly one game at a time in postseason. However, they remain confident.

“Our team is focused on getting it done this year,” said Pingel, whose Cadets finished second in the state last year.

The postseason march began last week with a 45-0 win over Francis Howell North. This week, Ritenour is on tap.

In the Huskies, CBC will have to maintain its high level of play.

“They have tremendous team speed and play aggressive on both sides of the ball,” Pingel said about the Huskies. “They can make the big play at anytime.”

To be successful, the Cadets have two main tasks ahead of them, Pingel said.

“We will have to neutralize their blitz game on defense and try to minimize their athletic quarterback,” Pingel said. “He (Terrence Hollins-White) is dynamic both in the run and the pass.”

Hollins-White has thrown for 2,001 yards this season and 21 touchdowns. He also has ran for 434 yards and four touchdowns.

The Cadets are ready.

“The team is certainly energized to be playing in the playoffs again,” Pingel said. “We always talk about making the most of your opportunities.”

In the other district semifinal, De Smet faces a familiar foe in Hazelwood Central in a rematch of a game from Week 2 this fall. The Spartans blanked the visiting Hawks 21-0.

“We have a long history,” Spartans coach Pat Mahoney said about playing Hazelwood Central. “We have played them in the state finals once and the semifinals twice.”

De Smet heads into the game in good shape physically. The Spartans also get a couple of players back.

“We are playing better, and (we) are getting healthier,” Mahoney said. “Lucas Nikolaisen and Marcus Jester return this week.”

Jester is a junior running back/linebacker and Nikolaisen is a senior tight end/defensive end.

De Smet opened with postseason play with a 41-0 thrashing of Pattonville. It was a good win for the Spartans.

“It was very physical and that is what playoff football is about,” Mahoney said.

Hazelwood Central will pose a good test for De Smet. After opening the season with two losses, the Hawks have reeled off eight consecutive victories. Hazelwood Central beat Hazelwood West 28-6 last week in its playoff opener.

“They have plenty of skilled kids and are physical on defense,” Mahoney said. “We have to not give up big plays and control the line of scrimmage in our run game.”