The Festus Tigers shined last season under new Head Coach AJ Ofodile, and cruised to a 10-2 record overall. They rattled off seven straight wins to start the season, nabbed a District and Conference title and won their first two playoff games before running into a buzzsaw in the form of the Union Wildcats. Still it was one of the more impressive seasons in recent memory and the Tigers should be loaded again this season. They lost some key pieces to graduation, but stalwart QB Cole Rickermann returns along with RB Kaian Roberts-Day and WR Isaac Stucke. Expectations should be sky high once again under Coach Ofodile’s impressive new system.
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Week 1: 8/27 Ste. Genevieve
The Dragons of Ste. Gen managed just a 4-5 record last season and ended up making a coaching change as a result. The new-look Dragons will attempt to rustle up a better showing in 2021 after they got demolished by the Tigers 41-13 last year. Talented QB Aiden Boyer returns though, so we should see a plus matchup of arms as he goes head-to-head with Rickermann.
Week 2: 9/03 @ Sullivan
The Sullivan Eagles had a rough season in 2020, going just 2-6 on the year, and Festus was one of the half dozen teams that really put the screws to them. The Tigers won in grand fashion in their only matchup with the Eagles last year, dropping a 40-burger on them (42-13). In fact the Tigers have won their last three matchups with the Eagles and are 6-3 overall vs Sullivan since 2010.
Week 3: 9/10 Windsor
The Windsor Owls are yet another team that Festus has dominated over the last decade. Last year’s 49-13 drubbing was the tenth win in a row for the Tigers over the Owls. In fact, their last loss against Windsor came all the way back in 2010. Windsor was just 2-7 last season, and if history has anything to say about it, this will likely be another cake walk for the Tigers.
Week 4: 9/17 @ De Soto
The De Soto Dragons took it on the chin in 2020 and managed just a 1-7 record. Things aren’t likely to get any easier in 2021 either. Especially in Week 4 where they face a Festus Tigers team that has beaten them 13 out of the last 14 matchups. The Tigers have won three straight and downed the Dragons in convincing fashion (36-13) in last year’s lone regular season matchup.
Week 5: 9/24 @ Hillsboro
The Hillsboro Hawks had a middling season in 2020 that was truly a story of peaks and valleys. They managed to stay at .500 for the year, going 5-5, but did not fare well against the Tigers. Festus won 41-26 last season in the lone matchup of the two rivals, but the Hawks hold the edge over the previous decade, going 9-4 vs the Tigers. Much like Cards/Cubs, regardless of the standings, this one is sure to be a barn-burner.
Week 6: 10/1 @ North County
Keep the chain moving. Yet another program the Tigers have dominated in recent years is the North County Raiders. Last season the Tigers barely edged them out (39-35), but they hold an 11-3 advantage since 2010. The Tigers have won the last four straight contests, but the always troublesome Raiders should not be taken lightly. They were 6-4 last year, but have the ability to surprise any given week.
Week 7: 10/8 Pacific
And the song remains the same. The Pacific Indians are yet another team that the Festus Tigers have had their way with. Festus is a perfect 11-0 since 2010 and has dominated the Indians in just about every aspect of the game for over a decade. Last season the Tigers laid a 40-24 beatdown on them, and the routinely overmatched Indians finished with just a 2-6 season in 2020.
Week 8: 10/15 Farmington
Finally a challenge. The Farmington Knights have been a thorn in the Tigers’ paw in recent years. Last season the Knights came away with a bizarre 10-7 nail-biter that saw a game littered with penalties. The Tigers haven’t beaten the Knights since 2018 and are just 3-4 against them since 2010. Mark your calendars for this one, as it could have impactful playoff implications.
Week 9: 10/22 St. Charles West
The regular season finale is a favorable one for the Tigers as they face off against the St. Charles West Warriors. Last season the Tigers put up a fireworks display on the scoreboard as they breezed through a 55-0 victory over the Warriors. However, Festus lost the two matchups prior to that one and are just 2-3 against St. Chuck since 2015. The Warriors may surprise, but based on last year’s result we’ll give the Tigers the edge here.
Football is unpredictable by nature, so this 2021-22 season is sure to be filled with surprises, along with fulfilled expectations. Any given Friday…
Good luck Tigers!
