The undefeated Warrenton football team will host Festus this Saturday, Nov. 30 in the Class 4 semifinals. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The winner will advance to the Class 4 state championship game.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
What: Class 4 state semifinals
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30
Where: Warrenton High School
Records: Warrenton — 12-0. Festus — 10-2.
Livestream: MSHSAA.tv
Scouting Warrenton: This is only the second time the Warriors have reached the semifinal round. The first semifinal appearance occurred in 2010 when they reached the state championship game. Warrenton averages 37.8 points per game and has allowed just 14.5 points per game. The Warriors will look to put the football in the hands of senior running back Austin Haas. He is coming off a 199-yard rushing performance in last Saturday’s quarterfinal game at West Plains. The shifty runner has now rushed for 2,347 yards on 265 attempts, averaging 8.9 yards per carry. He has reached the end zone 31 times to be among the scoring leaders in the St. Louis area. Senior quarterback Brandon Johnson has been a nice complement, passing for 1,879 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushing for 847 yards and 11 scores. As good as the offense has been, the defensive has been stout as well. Senior linebacker Kadin Stroer has 128 tackles and seven sacks, while Cole Meyer and Javon Jones have 86 and 81 stops, respectively. The pass rush has been strong all fall, with Taylor Anderson and Jones recording a team-high nine sacks.
Scouting Festus: The Tigers have had a tremendous season, with their only losses coming against two Class 6 schools, Jackson and De Smet, which also is playing in the state semifinals this weekend. The Tigers are riding a three-game winning streak, having outscored their opponents 126-24 in three playoff games. Their potent offense is led by running back Leauntae Williams who has rushed for 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns. Kamden Yates and Essian Smith have 735 and 595 rushing yards, respectively. They have combined for 19 touchdowns on the grounds. At quarterback, Smith has completed 55% of his passes for 1,031 yards. He has thrown for eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Defensively, Mason Schirmer has a whopping 130 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions. Owen Gardner has recorded six sacks.
Festus is averaging 32 points per game and has allowed 13 points per game. The Tigers are coached by A.J. Ofodile, who is in his fifth year at the school. A former tight end at Mizzou, his coaching career includes spending four years as an assistant under MU head coach Barry Odom and leading Columbia Rock Bridge to the Class 6 state championship game in 2013.
