Lions and Longhorns Ready For Friday Night Football Battle

Parkway West Longhorns (0-0) at University City Lions (0-0)

Friday, Aug. 26, 4:15 p.m. at Muhl-Schemmer Stadium

The 2011 prep football season will kickoff early Friday evening with an intriguing Suburban South Conference matchup between Parkway West and University City.

The Longhorns are coming off a 3-8 campaign in 2010, which ended with a first-round playoff loss to Kirkwood.

The Lions, on the other hand, were 1-9 last year, with their only win coming in a 50-22 win in the season opener over Parkway West.

U. City running back Branden Walker rushed for 215 yards and six touchdowns in last year’s game. But he’s long since graduated, and the Lions have been working all summer to find a suitable replacement.

Senior Davante Washington figures to get the first shot at taking over in the backfield for Walker.

Last year, he rushed for 455 yards and scored two touchdowns while working as Walker’s primary backup.

Fellow senior DeAndre Williams will be back to start at quarterback. He passed for 446 yards and six touchdowns last year.

For Parkway West, junior J.C. DeMuri will take over at quarterback, and he’ll be joined in the backfield by speedy senior Ed Carter, who’ll be charged with the task of replacing 2010 team MVP Charles Thomas, who led the Longhorns with 971 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns last season.

Defensively, both teams feature potential stars at linebacker.

Parkway West’s Austin Doss, starred on the defensive line last year for the Longhorns, but is moving back to middle linebacker this year.

While U. City’s Damonte Smith, was the Lions’ fourth-leading tackler last year, but is expected to lead a hard-hitting defensive crew this year.

Kickoff on Friday evening is set for 4:15 p.m. Please stay tuned to Patch.com for full coverage of Friday’s big game between the Longhorns and Lions.