It’s the Hot List, Playoff Style. There were a lot of great performances this past weekend, and there’s sure to be more as we’re down to the Final Four in every class with the Show Me Bowl just over a week away. But before we get to that, let’s take time to enjoy the following student-athletes who were instrumental in guiding their teams to the semifinal round. As always, if you have questions, comments or would like to nominate your student-athlete to the Hot List, just email me at freddavis@coachesaid.com. Enjoy this week’s performances.
Jerrick Walton – Raytown South Running Back
The senior running back had already scored two touchdowns as it appeared the Cardinals and Nixa were headed to overtime in last Saturday’s quarterfinal game at Nixa. Instead, Walton made the most heads-up play of Raytown South’s season, catching a ball that was popped out of quarterback Dennis Tanner’s hands, raced up the left sideline for 34 yards into the endzone for the improbable game-winning score. ““(Dennis) told me get ready to block for me,” Walton told the Kansas City Star, “‘I might run.’ So when he rolled out I was just staying with him and when he threw it I caught it and I was shocked so I just took off and ran. I was just trying to run. And score.” It was the third touchdown of the day for Walton, who finished with 116 yards rushing and two running scores while tacking on 40 yards receiving and a score. The Cardinals meet Fort Osage for the fourth time in the last two years, including the second meeting this season.
EJ Gaines – Fort Osage Running Back
The future defensive back at Missouri still has the heart of a running back and it was evident Saturday afternoon in the Indians 30-19 win over Ray-Pec. Gaines was the lone bright spot for the Indians in the first half, scoring on a 73-yard touchdown run and delivering hits all over the field on defense. In the second half, Gaines ran for 93 yards en route to a 168 yard, three-touchdown day. But perhaps none of his touchdowns were as big as his last one, a 24-yard run on 3rd and four in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter. Ray-Pec needed a stop to try and get the ball back, committed everybody to the line of scrimmage, but Gaines made a move, broke through a few tackles and put the game on ice. “He’s a special player,” said Ray-Pec Head Coach Tom Kruse.
Derrick Dilworth & Demetrius Robinson – Webster Groves QB and WR
The duo teamed up for what could go down as the biggest play in Webster Groves history, which is a remarkable feat considering the history at Webster Groves. Down 29-28 with 6.9 seconds left in the ballgame, the Statesmen had seen their two touchdown lead in the fourth quarter evaporate and suddenly the team that many considered the favorite to get to the Dome, found itself 6.9 seconds away from going home. But senior quarterback Derrick Dilworth and sophomore wide receiver did the impossible – they connected on an 80-yard touchdown pass where Robinson simply outran the Chaminade defenders and Dilworth placed a beautifully thrown ball to Robinson in stride and he raced to the endzone where he was mobbed by teammates and fans. “We won the game!” shouted the PA announcer in what was the most incredible finishes in Missouri playoff history. Next up, the Statesmen travel to Parkway North for a rematch with the Vikings and trip to the Show-Me Bowl on the line.
Malcolm Agnew – DeSmet Running Back
Agnew didn’t have the best stat line of his career, but 122 yards rushing still is a great number in a quarterfinal football game against one of the best teams in the state. However, it was 80 of those 122 yards that earned Agnew inclusion on this list, as the junior running back took the first handoff of the second half from DeSmet quarterback Steve Kaiser, ran up the middle, cut to the outside and sprinted 80 yards to paydirt and gave the Spartans a 17-6 lead over Jefferson City as the Jays never recovered from the Pacquiao-like blow that deflated the hearts of the Jefferson City faithful. “They came out and hit that one,” said Jeff City Head Coach Ted LePage, “that really took the wind out of our sails.” DeSmet, 12-0, travels to Blue Springs Friday night for a meeting with 11-1 Blue Springs.
Matt Jones – Priory Quarterback
The senior quarterback continued his team’s run through the postseason, and he made sure that he’d help his case as much as possible, scoring three of the Rebels’ first four touchdowns in Priory’s 35-12 win over New Madrid. Jones tacked on another touchdown in the fourth quarter, and he finished the ballgame with 12 carries for 113 yards and the four scores, not to mention another 44 yards through the air on 4 of 7 passing. Priory, which knocked out then 9-1 Cardinal Ritter in the first round, faces 13-0 Bowling Green at home Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
Raphael Spencer – O’Hara Running Back
Spencer was an animal Saturday afternoon, and much like the others on this list, he made a huge play when his team needed it the most. The Do-It-All running back and defensive back for Head Coach Jim DeMarea ran for 275 yards and five scores, including a 67-yard fumble recovery for one of the scores, but his biggest play was only worth 2-points. Down 48-49, DeMarea decided to go for two points and the win rather than a game-tying extra point. Spencer was initially hit at the line of scrimmage, not once but twice, yet still powered his way into the endzone for a 50-49 win over Pleasant Hill and the Celtics earned its first trip to the semifinals since 2000. “I’ve never been this tired in my life,” Spencer told The Kansas City Star. “But when I got into that end zone, it was just a sigh of relief.” Next up for O’Hara is a trip to Cassville where they’ll meet the defending Class 3 Champs with a trip to the Show-Me Bowl on the line.
Michael Greminger – Valle Catholic Quarterback
One of the best football players in Valle Catholic’s storied history continues to add to his legend, this time with a 172 yard passing performance and 100 yard rushing performance in the Warriors 42-6 win over Miller. In all, Greminger scored four touchdowns, two by air and two on the ground as the Warriors continued their undefeated march in 2009 and get ready for a stout Tipton defense that has been absolutely nails this season.
The Sikeston Defense
With time winding down in the first half and the Bulldogs holding a 14-3 lead, the Ladue offense got down to the Sikeston 1-yard line just before the half and could’ve cut the lead to four. However the Bulldog defense, as they had done on two earlier Ladue red zone tries, stuffed the Ladue offense on two consecutive running plays and the time ran out for Ladue, as they were unable to generated any points and the Sikeston defense took all the momentum they’d need for the rest of the ballgame. The Bulldog defense was great all day Saturday, limiting Ladue to a mere 208 yards of total offense and wrapping up the school’s first ever semifinal berth with Saturday’s 28-6 win. Next up is Helias, who is 12-0 and is last year’s Class 4 runner-up.
Cody Best – Blue Springs Kicker
It’s not very often you see a kicker, outside of being a soccer player, making too many player of the week lists. But Cody Best, well, as his name implies, was the Best at the most important moment of the Blue Springs season when he kicked a 21-yard field goal with two seconds left to beat Rockhurst Friday night and earn a trip to the state semifinals where they’ll match up with undefeated and #1 in the state in Class 6, DeSmet. In all, the senior kicker nailed three field goals and hit both PATs in Blue Springs 23-21 win over Rockhurst, avenging a 17-3 loss to the Hawklets earlier in the season. “I get nervous just thinking about (the game-winning kick),” Best told the Independence Examiner. “I’m just glad I got through it, it was a lot of fun.”
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