St. Joseph Christian senior quarterback David Welchert followed the push of his offensive line, and scored late in the fourth quarter, to secure a 42-40 win over Miami (Amoret) in last weekend’s Missouri 8-Man state semifinal, earning a berth in this weekend’s title game.
Now, the Lions will attempt to tackle a familiar foe Friday at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis at 9:30 a.m.
After falling to champion Mound City (10-1) 48-16 in the 2008 championship game, and opening the 2009 season with a 34-0 loss to the small school power house, St. Joseph Christian (10-2) braces itself for another shot at the Panthers this weekend.
Welchert's heroics in a game that featured five lead changes in the final 4 minutes, 2 seconds allowed the Lions to take the field in the first of seven title games over two days.
Following Friday’s mid-morning battle, unranked Brentwood (12-1) will butt heads with 2008 runner-up and third-ranked Maryville (13-1) for the Class 2 championship at 1 p.m..
Then, defending Class 4 runner-up and third-ranked Jefferson City-Helias (14-0) will tee it up against fourth-ranked Kearney (12-2), who upended defending champion and top-ranked Webb City in the semifinals, at 4:15 p.m.
The Class 6 title game, pitting defending champion and fifth-ranked Hazelwood Central (12-1) against preseason favorite and third-ranked Blue Springs (12-1), will cap first day action of Show-Me Bowl competition at 7:30 p.m..
Second-ranked Penney (13-0), who knocked off two-time defending champion Orrick at sectionals, kicks off second day action against fourth-ranked Valle Catholic (14-0) for Class 1 bragging rights at noon.
Defending Class 3 champion and fourth-ranked Cassville (13-1) then takes the field against fifth-ranked and undefeated Bowling Green (14-0) at 3:15 p.m.
Season long top-ranked Fort Osage (13-0) concludes the 2009 Show-Me Bowl with a 6:30 p.m. kick off against season long second-ranked Webster Groves (12-0) in the Class 5 classic.
Missouri State Football Championship Capsules
At the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis
Class 6
No. 3 Blue Springs (12-1)
Coach: Kelly Donohoe
Conference: Suburban Big 7
Titles: 3 – 1992 (5A), 2001 (5A), 2003 (6)
Runner-up: N/A
Playoff Appearances: 18
Last Playoff Run: 2006-2009
Playoff Record Through 2009 Semifinals: 21-14
Key Players: Darrian Miller (273-2616 rushing yards 36 tds), Keeston Terry (69-909 receiving yards 11 tds), Jared Lanpher (125-203 1,840 passing yards 23 tds 8 int), Joshua Padley (62 tackles, 11 sacks).
How They Got Here: Defeated Lee’s Summit 45-12, Rockhurst 23-21, DeSmet Jesuit 35-5.
No. 5 Hazelwood Central (12-1)
Coach: Rich Nixon
Conference: Suburban North
Titles: 4 – 1972 (4A) as Hazelwood, 1985 (5A), 1996 (5A), 2008 (6)
Runner-up: 9 – 1977 (4A), 1978 (4A), 1980 (4A), 1981 (4A), 1983 (5A), 1986 (5A), 1987 (5A), 2003 (6), 2005 (6).
Playoff Appearances: 19
Last Playoff Run: 2008-2009
Playoff Record: 42-14-1
Key Players: Kerry Gibson (116-204 2,080 passing yards 17 tds 8 int, 121-868 rushing yards 12 tds), Jawyne Thomas (33-738 receiving yards 8 tds, 84 tackles 7 int), Yomi Ali (158 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 int), Cortland Dunlop (162 tackles, 4sacks, 1 int).
How They Got Here: Defeated Christian Brothers College 35-7, Lafayette (Wildwood) 41-10, Oakville 38-8.
Class 5
No. 1 Fort Osage (13-0)
Coach: Ryan Schartz
Conference: Suburban Middle Six
Titles: N/A
Runner-up: N/A
Playoff Appearances: 5
Last Playoff Run: 2007-2009
Playoff Record: 5-4
Key Players: E.J. Gaines (165-1,223 rushing yards 15 tds, 64 tackles 1 sack 2 int), Edward Pearl (76-134 1,383 passing yards 14 tds 3 int, 103-441 rushing yards 9 tds), Kamryn Tillmon (33-700 receiving yards 11 tds), Isaac Ankrom (122 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 int), Clayton Jessick (66 tackles, 12 sacks).
How They Got Here: Defeated Park Hill 29-6, Raymore-Peculiar 30-19, Raytown South 13-6.
No. 2 Webster Groves (12-0)
Coach: Clifford Ice
Conference: Suburban South
Titles: 3 – 1979 (4A), 1988 (4A), 2002 (5)
Runner-up: 1 – 2003 (5)
Playoff Appearances: 11
Last Playoff Run: 2005
Playoff Record: 21-8
Key Players: Derrick Dilworth (104-181 1,639 passing yards 13 tds 2 int), Demetrius Robinson (43-594 receiving yards 3 tds), Jason Meehan (135 tackles, 6 sacks, 4 int), Juan Walls (70 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 int).
How they Got Here: Defeated Eureka 36-25, Chaminade 34-29, Parkway North 29-0.
Class 4
No. 3 Jefferson City-Helias (14-0)
Coach: Chris Hentges
Conference: Independent
Titles: 2 – 1984 (4A), 1998 (4A)
Runner-up: 3 – 1973 (3A), 1999 (4A), 2008 (4)
Playoff Appearances: 19
Last Playoff Run: 2007-2009
Playoff Record: 27-16
Key Players: Brad Wilson (163-1,679 rushing yards 20 tds, 33-473 receiving yards 6 tds), Clint Distler (129-198 1,988 passing yards 22 tds 7 int, 168-722 rushing yards 17 tds), Conner White (162 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 int), Andrew Crocker (123 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 int), Bryant Schollmeyer (107 tackles, 10 sacks).
How They Got Here: defeated Warrenton 42-7, Hannibal 48-31, Normandy 21-13, Sikeston 37-8.
No. 4 Kearney (12-2)
Coach: Greg Jones
Conference: Kansas City Suburban
Titles: 2 – 2002 (4), 2003 (4)
Runner-up: N/A
Playoff Appearances: 9
Last Playoff Run: 2007-2009
Playoff Record: 17-6
Key Players: Ashton Hiatt (136-1,151 rushing yards 19 tds), Shane Hartzler (106-173 1,639 passing yards 16 tds 8 int), Taylor Woolf (44-769 receiving yards 7 tds), Stephen Juergens (85 tackles, 9 sacks, 2 int), Joe Windsor (41 tackles, 14.5 sacks), Jared Love (25 tackles, 9 sacks).
How They Got Here: Defeated Westport 63-7, Staley 28-0, Harrisonville 41-0, Webb City 38-13.
Class 3
No. 5 Bowling Green (14-0)
Coach: Jimmy Tucker
Conference: Eastern Missouri
Titles: N/A
Runner-up: N/A
Playoff Appearances: 6
Last Playoff Run: 2008-2009
Playoff Record: 4-5
Key Players: Ryan Cox (164-298 2,356 passing yards 27 tds 8 int), Cody Spegal (42-561 receiving yards 6 tds), Devan Cobb (101 tackles, 5.5 sacks), Matt Brown (52 tackles, 11 int), Jeff Neimeyer (65 tackles, 7 sacks).
How They Got Here: Defeated Lutheran North 45-15, Trinity Catholic 41-0, Mexico 34-7, Priory 20-7.
No. 4 Cassville (13-1)
Coach: David Large
Conference: Big 8
Titles: 1 – 2008 (3)
Runner-up: N/A
Playoff Appearances: 5
Last Playoff Run: 2008-2009
Playoff Record: 9-3
Key Players: Joseph Gouvion (250-1,573 rushing yards 26 tds), Trevor Tanner (49-97 743 passing yards 5 tds 2 int, 135-1,057 rushing yards 10 tds), Devin Linenbrink (83 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 int), Garrett Mahurin (52 tackles, 4 sacks).
How They Got Here: Defeated Aurora 56-14, Seneca 17-7, Logan-Rogersville 21-20, O’Hara 23-7.
Class 2
Brentwood (12-1)
Coach: Scott Surgener
Conference: Independent
Titles: N/A
Runner-up: 1987 (2A)
Playoff Appearances: 12
Last Playoff Run: 2008-2009
Playoff Record: 10-11
Key Players: Andrew Erby (219-1,782 rushing yards 14 tds), Tywan Brooks (77-126 1,254 passing yards 14 tds 5 int, 107-752 rushing yards 10 tds), Taylor Dee (23-456 receiving yards 7 tds, 140 tackles, 9 sacks, 4int), Ramond Hunter (70 tackles, 19 sacks), Tommy Lynch (44 tackles, 6 int).
How They Got Here: Defeated Transportation and Law 20-14 (ot), Maplewood-Richmond Heights 10-7, Caruthersville 28-14, Centralia 28-27.
No. 3 Maryville (13-1)
Coach: Chris Holt
Conference: Midland Empire
Titles: 1 – 1982 (3A)
Runner-up: 2 – 1996 (3A), 2008 (2)
Playoff Appearances: 9
Last Playoff Run: 2008-2009
Playoff Record: 21-7
Key Players: Derek DeMott (164-1,298 rushing yards 12 tds), Gavin Talmadge (189-1,092 rushing yards 13 tds), Tyler Walter (16-265 receiving yards 2 tds, 28 tackles, 8 int), Will Twaddle (50 tackles, 7 int).
How They Got Here: Defeated Plattsburg 49-3, Lawson 15-7, Hogan Prep 35-32, Lamar 21-7.
Class 1
No. 2 Penney (13-0)
Coach: David Fairchild
Conference: Grand River
Titles: N/A
Runner-up: N/A
Playoff Appearances: 8
Last Playoff Run: 2008-2009
Playoff Record: 9-7
Key Players: Trevor Dixon (163-1,501 rushing yards 31 tds), Dylan Chadwick (85-897 rushing yards 15 tds, 10-294 receiving yards 5 tds, 52 tackles, 6 int), Keagan Prather (31-77 621 passing yards 10 tds 4 int, 49-591 rushing yards 13 tds), Brandon Henry (62 tackles, 10.5 sacks), Josh Pickrell (58 tackles, 1 sack, 6 int)
How They Got Here: Defeated Braymer 17-14, Orrick 51-13, Mid-Buchanan 47-3, Wellington-Napoleon 62-27.
No. 4 Valle Catholic (14-0)
Coach: Judd Naeger
Conference: Mississippi Area
Titles: 9 – 1981 (2A), 1982 (2A), 1983 (2A), 1988 (1A), 1989 (1A), 1990 (1A), 1991 (1A), 1992 (1A), 1995 (1A)
Runner-up: 1 – 1993 (1A)
Playoff Appearances: 16
Last Playoff Run: 2008-2009
Playoff Record: 44-6-1
Key Players: Luke Uding (131-1,181 rushing yards 18 tds), Michael Greminger (168-278 2,682 passing yards 36 tds 8 int, 125-822 rushing yards 20 tds), Nick Brown (45-855 receiving yards 12 tds), Nathan Geile (44-616 receiving yards 7 tds), Anthony Meyer (76 tackles, 7 sacks), Brandon Lalumondiere (75 tackles, 6 sacks), Michael Loida (56 tackles, 4 int).
How They Got Here: Defeated Hayti 69-18, Paris 56-7, Miller 42-6, Tipton 49-21.
8-Man
Mound City (10-1)
Coach: Brian Messer
Conference: Highway 275
Titles: 4 – 1999 (8-Man), 2003 (8-Man), 2005 (8-Man), 2008 (8-Man)
Runner-up: 1 – 2000 (8-Man)
Playoff Appearances: 15
Last Playoff Run: 2005-2009
Playoff Record: 14-10
Key Players: Gage Rosier (160-1,537 rushing yards 26 tds, 12-255 receiving yards 5 tds, 57 tackles, 1 sack, 7 int), Ryan Crowley (94-538 rushing yards 11 tds, 87 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 int), Lucas Schawang (42-80 744 passing yards 19 tds 3 int, 48-354 rushing yards 7 tds, 61 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 3 int), James Schoonover (17-277 receiving yards 10 tds, 76 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 1 int).
How They Got Here: Defeated Worth County 52-0, Defeated Stanberry 32-7
St. Joseph Christian (10-2)
Coach: Mark Juhl
Conference: Independent
Titles: 1 – 2006 (8-Man)
Runner-up: 2 – 2004 (8-Man), 2008 (8-Man)
Playoff Appearances: 7
Last Playoff Run: 2004-2009
Playoff Record: 7-5
Key Players: Daniel Gregory (115-1,184 rushing yards 15 tds), David Welchert (8-22 126 passing yards 1 td, 92-529 rushing yards 14 tds, 62 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 int), Cody Cornelius (67 tackles, 5 sacks).
How They Got Here: Defeated Hardin-Central 74-20, Miami 42-40
