It seems like it was only yesterday when the Central Park Hills Rebels took on the Fredericktown Blackcats, but in reality, it was merely three weeks ago. The first round of the Class 3 District 1 tournament begins on Friday, October 28th, a few days before Halloween, and Park Hills must face its past. The only difference is that this time, the number two-seeded Rebels will host the number seven-seeded Blackcats.
Week 7 was great for Park Hills and quite the opposite for Fredericktown. The Rebels were coming off their only loss of the season and looking to quickly regroup and find their footing. Unfortunately for the Blackcats, they matched up against a steaming mad Central squad that had something to prove. The Rebels absolutely dominated the Blackcats en route to a 42-0 victory, the first of their current three-game winning streak.
This has been quite a remarkable season for Park Hills. The Rebels racked up 390 total points while only allowing 138. Their nearly perfect 8-1 record has set them up for a MO State Championship run, but before they can set their eyes on the prize, they have to dispatch with Fredericktown. The 3-6 Blackcats limped into the post-season, taking the last seed in the District. They have scored only 93 total points while allowing 293 against them.
In fact, in their first meeting, Park Hills took their foot off the gas once they achieved the running clock. However, there will be no mercy in District play. Given the explosive offense lined up behind the ball for the Rebels, the Blackcats may be begging for a second 42-0 score. Just last week the Rebels diced up the Farmington Knights, another 3-6 team, by the score of 48-14, and those 14 points were given up by the younger players in the second half.
Quarterback Casen Murphy and his favorite target Jobe Bryant have been a devastating duo for Park Hills. Last week against the Knights, Murphy completed 11 of 14 passes for 331 yards and five touchdowns, while Bryant had four completions for 110 yards and three touchdowns. If Bryant isn’t available, Murphy can also check down to Kannon Harlow or Hakin Wagner, or what may be worse for the defense, he can keep it himself.
The defense of Park Hills has also been impenetrable. Not counting scores against the second string, this defense has only been scored on a handful of times, most of which came against the number-one-seeded Valle Catholic. This district rivalry has gone quite well for Park Hills. Including this season, these two schools have faced off 14 times in the last 10 years, and Central has won all 14. It seems as if fate has already decided this one a long time ago.
This Friday, the first steps will be taken to the MO State Championship, but all roads lead through Districts. On October 28th, it will be Park Hills vs. Fredericktown the sequel, and unless the Blackcats have created a few monsters in the lab, this horror film may end the same way as the original.
Good luck Rebels!
