First…just watch this. You may want to watch a couple times.

We got a “kick” out of our semi-final district game point! Wait, it’s “two kicks”! #bluejaygirlsrule @jenna_courtois @Hudl @STLhssports @FOX2now @usatodayhss @espn pic.twitter.com/XpsWMQowXF

— Jefferson High School Volleyball (@JHS_vball) October 25, 2018

Festus Jefferson High School used this sequence to knock off perennial Volleyball power St. Pius X Wednesday night in district playoff action. Here’s what it was like from the perspective from the young lady responsible for the kicks, and one of her teammates.

“With Pius being 2 time state champions back to back we knew what we would have to do to get the job done,” Jefferson’s Jenna Courtois wrote to STLPreps. “The final point was unbelievable. At the time I didn’t really get a chance to process it, it all happened so fast. After I got the first ball up I really wanted to win that point but after I got the second ball up I thought in my head we needed to win that point. I was so surprised when it happened but I’ve done it in games before, just never twice in the same rally.”

Courtois will be taking her track and field talents to the next level at Maryville University next year.

“Jenna’s kick saves are a normal thing if we are in practice, but in a game we haven’t seen much of them,” Madison Fuller said via email. “When she got the first one up I just kept thinking we have to get the ball down because that was really cool, and then she did the second one and I was appalled. The fact that she did two kick saves, it was match point, and we were playing to advance to the district championship against the two time state champs made this rally one of the coolest things I’ve been apart of.”

The epic rally clinched the Blue Jays’ spot in the district final later Wednesday night, where they ultimately fell to Arcadia Valley. It may not be the way they wanted the ride to end, but oh, what a journey they took to get there.

 

A salute to retiring Parkway North Head Football Coach Bob Bunton

Friday night, Bob Bunton will prowl the sidelines at Parkway North High School for the last time as the program’s Head Coach for a regular season home contest. There will be a pregame ceremony that will also recognize this year’s senior class. Be there at 6:30pm for the festivities ahead of the 7pm kickoff.

The Parkway School District published a video ahead of the game that is recommended viewing.

 

I first met Bob about 7 years ago when my duties for Creve Coeur Patch often found me covering Viking football and baseball games (at that point he had moved to an assistant’s role on the baseball side but as a player and head coach had already cemented a career worth of St. Louis’ Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame to which he was inducted earlier this year).

He has always been incredibly gracious with his time when it came to talking about his program and his student-athletes. He’s seen more than his fair share of football players go on to Division I careers at Power 5 schools–Donavin Newsom, Aaron O’Neal, Michael Thompson among them recently, with C.J. Boone and Jalani Williams set to join them from this year’s team.

As Dave Matter at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote several years ago, Bunton has never let O’Neal’s story fade from the memories of those who followed him, after O’Neal’s tragic death following a Mizzou practice in 2005.

The Bob Bunton I will miss most is the one who, after a hard fought game, would have his squad on the field after the game, on bended knee. He’d talk about what went right, what didn’t—especially if players weren’t properly hydrated (DRINK YOUR WATER). But he would also know that some of his kids had other issues to think about away from the game, so he’d encourage players to rally around a teammate who had a tough family situation at home. The game isn’t always the thing with him.

Congratulations on an incredible run, Coach. The scores of players you’ve impacted over the course of your career matters so much more than wins and losses.

 

As another high school football week gets into gear, we wanted to crack open the playbook and explore the nuts and bolts behind one of the best trick plays you’ll ever see, a double hook and ladder that went for six in helping Collinsville to a 28-26 win over Belleville East.

The play justifiably went viral online and got picked up by some national outlets.

3rd Quarter. 4th & 17. One-score game.

Hook and ladder with a little 🎃! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! TOUCHDOWN!#SCTop10 #CHANGE #WGM6 @espn pic.twitter.com/jYeNAzrtvp

— Kahok Football (@Kahoks_Football) October 13, 2018

Here’s how Head Coach Mike Popovich saw it afterward:

“Had a 4th down and long in the 3rd quarter while up by a score. We had seen some press from their OLB over #2 the entire night, but we felt like they would give us a little more room to maneuver given the down and distance. We got the look we wanted to, but ended up throwing a ball a little low. Luckily our slot Jake Holten made a nice play and then as able to snag the low throw and pitch it clean to Kameron Sloan. Once we got to that point we knew that their defense would collapse on Kam, which gave Malcolm Burns an opportunity to just receive the second pitch and do what he does well, which is run.”

And run, he did, for six.

What will they pull off this week? Edwardsville comes to town for a 7pm kickoff Friday night.

Thanks to Kirkwood’s Tommy Stevenson for sharing the story behind his decision to commit to play baseball at Missouri Southern State University. Want to share yours? Email stlprepsemail@gmail.com.

Excited and Blessed to announce my commitment to Missouri Southern State University to further my baseball and academic career @MSSUBaseball pic.twitter.com/jlWlv8Crvm

— Thomas Stevenson (@tommystevo22) October 1, 2018

I chose Missouri Southern because I thought it was a great fit for me. Not just on the baseball field but on the academic side too. When I first visited MSSU I could really picture myself on the campus in the future and playing for them. This spring I hope to accomplish an even better season as last year. The first thing I would like to accomplish as a team is to win Conference and then districts and hopefully state. I like our chances this year. As an individual I would like to get First Team All Conference again for a second straight year and possibly All Districts and All State.

The Belleville West Maroons made a trip over into Missouri territory Thursday, in one of many games moved by Mother Nature, and came away with a 28-10 win over Fort Zumwalt West.

Belleville West Head Coach Cameron Pettus hands out the hardware:

What was the turning point of the game? How well we played defense in 2nd half.

Who were your big performers? Will Lanxon, DJ Johnson, Keith Randolph and Anthony Graham

Check out this video!https://t.co/Qca8xvFiOz Anthony Graham week 3!! Can’t wait for week 4! #maroons

— Anthony Graham aka (wall) (@BIG_WALL57) September 8, 2018

Was there an under-the-radar key to your team’s success? We had to match Fort Zumwalt’s physical play.

Very proud of #OURGUYS Fort Zumwalt West is a first class and physical program. Tough battle on both sides. #bwsports

— Cameron Pettus (@CameronPettus) September 7, 2018

The Bulldogs topped Mother Nature and their on-field opponents from Francis Howell North on Friday, winning their second straight, 37-7.

Coach Adam Hamilton hands out the hardware:

Turning Point: Opening the game with an 80 yard touchdown drive followed by a 3 and out for our defense set a tone for the game.

Big Performers:Offensively, RJ Keen had 164 yds rushing and 2 TDs and Isaiah Edmonds had 132 yds rushing and 2 TDs. Defensively, Nick Mattli had 4 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks, Luke Picht had 7 tackles and 6 tackles for a loss, and Alex Drmac had 7 tackles and 3 tackles for loss.

Under-The-Radar Keys to Success: We have expected success from our seniors, who have done an outstanding job leading this program but we are also happy with the development and play of the 7 sophomores who have started for us.

The Matchup: Northwest Lions vs. Hazelwood Central Hawks

The Result: Lions 4-Hawks 2

Lions defeat Hazelwood Central 4-2. Goals by Noah x2, Wigge, and Venatta. We also had some highlight reel assists from O’Dell and Jerger. Lions improve to 3-2 and play Jackson tomorrow at home weather permitting. @SoccerSTL @STLhssports pic.twitter.com/rIZWwB9DMa

— Northwest Soccer ⚽️ (@LionsSoccer) September 7, 2018

Northwest Coach Dave Willis hands out his hardware:

The Turning Point: Joe Noah’s second goal of the night several minutes after Hazelwood tied the game.

Big Performers: Joe Noah – 2 Goals. Brandon O’Dell – 2 Assists

Under-The-Radar Key to Team Success: Midfield play of Austin Jerger

Share your team’s Players on the Pitch

The Matchup: Duchesne Soccer vs Bishop DuBourg

The Result: Duchesne defeats Bishop DuBourg 3-2

THAT’S A WINNER! Varsity soccer defeats Bishop DuBourg 3-2. Way to battle, boys! #ConferenceDub pic.twitter.com/veyhfiwpE5

— Duchesne Athletics (@Athletics_DHS) September 7, 2018

Duchesne Head Coach Patrick Turner hands out the hardware:

The Turning Point:  When Ryan Hill scored the equalizer with 15 min to play in the game

Big Performers: Ryan Hill, Nic Budrovich, Cameron Oppelt

GOOOOOOOAL! Nic Budrovich with another monster throw and Ryan Hill finds it for the header! 2-2 with 16min to play in the game vs @FearTheCavalier #LETSGOOOOOOOOOOOOO

— Duchesne Athletics (@Athletics_DHS) September 7, 2018

GOOOOOOOAL! Cameron Oppelt nets his first varsity goal as a Pioneer to put Duchesne up 3-2 on Bishop DuBourg!!!!! 7:30 to play in the game. #CamOOOOOOOO

— Duchesne Athletics (@Athletics_DHS) September 7, 2018

Under-The-Radar Key to Success: Staying mentally tough after going down 2-1

When Webster Groves and Kirkwood meet in anything, you really can throw out the record books. The rivals matched talents on Plymouth Field Thursday.

Statesmen Coach Brian Gibson breaks down the game’s big moments, plays and players in his team’s 5-4 win over the Pioneers in 10 innings

Big Performers:  Maddie Buske – 10IP, 9 Ks 2/5 2 doubles; Kelly Collins – 3/5

Turning Point: Walk off winning double in the 10th inning by Molly McPheeters

Walk off winner from McPheeters in the 10th. Big TEAM effort today! Thanks to Don Sanders for the video. #orangecrush pic.twitter.com/oozEgamh0D

— Webster Softball (@WGsoftball) September 6, 2018

Under the Radar Key To Team Success: Julia Love with 2 hits, a sac bunt and sb

You’ve had a chance to cool off, review your game tape. Now it’s time to hand out your helmet stickers. (Personal info will not be shared).