We continue to preview the upcoming football season as we look at a pair of programs with second-year head coaches. Ritenour and Parkway Central are looking to rebound this season as they return their programs to the top of their conferences in the Suburban.
Second-year head coach Yarmon Kirksey welcomes 16 starters back to the field at Ritenour as the Huskies will look to turn around their fortunes in the upcoming season. Jayden Barnett returns to lead the Ritenour offense, and he will have many players to aid him including Elijah Fry at running back and Tyson Robinson out on the edge. Eli Mitchell will lead the Huskies defense while Tyler Hewitt will anchor a veteran defensive line.
Ryan King returns to the sidelines at Parkway Central for his second year and has a veteran group returning to lead the Colts. With eight starters returning on both sides of the ball, Parkway Central will be a team to watch in a very tough Suburban Red conference.
Ritenour Huskies
- Head Coach – Yarmon Kirksey
- Record at school – 0-10 – 2nd year at school
- Conference – Suburban Red
- 2021 record – 0-10
- Returning players: Junior Jayden Barnett – QB/DB, Senior Elijah Fry – RB/LB, Junior Billy Hall – RB/DB, Junior Tyson Robinson – WR/DB, Derrick Smith WR/DB, Junior Percy Childs – OL/DL, Sophomore Trevion Foundren – RB/LB, Senior Eli Mitchell – WR/DB, Senior Leon Mitchell-Williams – WR/DB, Senior Nate Watson – WR/LB, Junior Tyrell Whitfield – OL/DL, Sophomore Yeshowa Magwood – TE/DL, Sophomore Tyler Hewitt OL/DL
- Players to Watch: Junior Jayden Barnett – QB/DB, Senior Elijah Fry – RB/LB, Junior Billy Hall -RB/DB, Junior Tyson Robinson – WR/DB, Junior Derrick Smith – WR/DB, Junior Percy Childs – OL/DL, Sophomore Trevion Foundren – RB/LB, Senior Eli Mitchell – WR/DB, Senior Leon Mitchell-Williams – WR/DB, Senior Nate Watson – WR/LB, Junior Tyrell Whitfield – OL/DL
Season Outlook: “I think you will see a big improvement from last season with all the returning starters we have coming back,” stated Kirksey. “We will be highly competitive and exciting to watch every week.”
Key Games:
- Friday, August 26 vs Pattonville
- Friday, September 9 at Ladue
- Saturday, October 22 at University City
Parkway Central Colts
- Head Coach – Ryan King
- Record at school – 2-8 in his second year
- Conference – Suburban Green
- 2021 record – 2-8
- Returning players: Elliot Leong, DJ Burgess, Michael Cooper, Chris White, Sam Sailors, Aamir Banks, Erich Buckland, Ben Woodall
- Players to Watch: Elliot Leong, DJ Burgess, Chris White
Season Outlook:
“We have a strong core of offensive and defensive lineman back from last year which will be the backbone of our team, stated King. “Our offense and defense should be improved with many of our starters gaining valuable experience on the varsity level last year. We are still relatively young at our skill positions but have some young players with potential and the ability to breakout.”
Key Games:
- Friday, August 26 vs Parkway South
- Friday, September 9 at Summit
- Friday, October 14 at Parkway West
Jim Powers has been covering prep sports in the St. Louis area for 15+ years and a part of the Missouri State High School Activities Association Championship Broadcasts for the past 11 years. Powers is also a part of the Fox 2 Verlo Mattress Prep Zone Friday nights at 10:10 during the football and basketball seasons. If you have a prep sports story, please contact Jim at japowers2421@yahoo.com. Follow Jim at @hssportscaravan
