High Stakes in MRH Football Opener

A year ago, Maplewood Richmond Heights football wasn’t on anyone's radar, let alone MICDS. Then the Blue Devils shocked the Rams 26-16 in the season opener.

It’s no shock now that the Rams are planning a different outcome this year.

When MICDS travels to Friday night it will be the number two team in the area visiting number one, according to small-school rankings on STLToday.com. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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When the teams scheduled the game last year, they didn't realize it'd be a battle of the top two teams, MRH coach Brandon Gregory said.

“Definitely that adds a little bit of excitement to the table for Friday night,” Gregory said. “And for us to go over there and beat them last year, I’m pretty sure they’re out to get revenge, but at the same time our guys have been working hard and they’re just as ready as Country Day is.”

MICDS finished 5-5 last year, beating up on the weaker teams but losing to the likes of Ladue and Burroughs.

The Rams return senior quarterback Thomas Militello, who threw for 1,940 yards and 15 touchdowns. Senior fullback/linebacker Michael Scherer, at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, has already agreed to play for the Missouri Tigers.

Scherer plays both ways. Last year he rushed for 919 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 6.8 yards per carry, while leading the team on defense with 54 tackles and 14 assists.

(A complete review of the 2011 MICDS Rams is available on .)

MRH went 14-1 last year and fell just , but the Blue Devils lost 14 seniors. It's a new team this year.

But the team is full of experienced sophomores and juniors who want a repeat trip to the Edward Jones Dome. There are only three seniors on the team.

Junior had a big, if shortened, sophomore year. He threw for 1,937 yards for 24 touchdowns. He’s back now and is focused on getting to the state championship.

Gregory said he expects big things from senior Orlen Clark and juniors Aaron Spudich and , his three returning linemen.

Junior PJ Liska, sophomore Cortland Brooks and senior Kashon Hagens will take the places of Antonio King and Cortez Cooper catching Kahlid Hagens’ passes.

Gregory said Wes Williams, , will be MRH’s quarterback on defense, at middle linebacker.

“There’s a lot of new names, to people who haven’t been paying attention,” Gregory said. “But these guys were on the team last year and they played some, they didn’t start, but they got game experience.”

(Follow contributor Doug Miner on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DHMPhoto and editor Ryan Martin at www.twitter.com/MBPatch)