Sports
Game Preview: U. City Aiming For First Win Behind Passing Attack
The Lions' passing game, led by quarterback DeAndre Williams, will look to race past the short-handed Parkway North defense.
Friday Night Lights: Parkway North (1-1) at University City (0-2)
Friday at 4:15 p.m. — Muhl-Schemmer Stadium
Two of the Suburban South Conference’s speedier lineups will meet in a critical league matchup at U. City’s Muhl-Schemmer Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The Lions are coming off at the hands of Parkway West and Webster Groves, while the visiting Vikings are coming off their own tough loss last week against Rockwood Summit. Parkway North is also dealing with the uncertain health of star running back/linebacker Donavin Newsom.
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One of the state’s most-prized recruits, with scholarship offers from many top-level colleges, including a non-binding verbal commitment to the University of Missouri, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Newsom played sparingly last week. He is recovering from a knee injury and is questionable to play this week.
If Newsom can’t go, then most of Parkway North’s offensive weight will fall on senior Jovonte Suber, who leads the Vikings in rushing this season with 109 yards and four touchdowns in two games.
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Junior quarterback Andy Huss, who has passed for 160 yards and completed 70 percent of his passes this season, but hasn’t thrown any touchdowns, will also need to step up. Especially since this game will likely feature lots of scoring.
And the reason for that is University City’s sensational passing game, which is led by quarterback DeAndre Williams and wide receivers Alex Henry and Mario Wallace.
Already this year, Williams has four touchdown passes and a scoring run on his resume, while Henry is one of the Suburban South’s most dynamic pass receivers. Henry caught 10 passes in the season opener against Parkway West, and has scored three TDs.
Defensively, Damonte Smith is the leader of a hard-hitting U. City group that’s been susceptible to a number of big plays this season.
On defense for Parkway North, 6-foot-8 basketball star Darrell Johnson has been a fantastic find on the football field for the Vikings this season. Especially at the pass-rushing defensive end position, where Johnson already leads the Suburban South with three quarterback sacks, and figures to be quite a handful for U. City’s inexperienced offensive line.
Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m., and please stay tuned to Patch.com for full coverage.