FLORISSANT — Defending Missouri Class 6 champion Hazelwood Central needed to win Saturday's Class 6, District 4 game against visiting Hazelwood West to earn a berth in the playoffs.
In the process the Hawks also did something they hadn't done in 23 years.
Hazelwood Central used a dominating defensive effort to defeat Hazelwood West 28-0 and capture the Suburban North Conference championship for the second consecutive season, the first time the Hawks have won back-to-back titles since the 1985 and 1986 seasons.
"It's been said time and time again that defense wins championships," coach Richard Nixon said. "This was a championship football game and the defense continued to put the ball in our hands. You have to be pleased with the scheme. Our coaching staff did a fabulous job of preparing our kids and our kids did a fantastic job of executing."
The No. 6 team in the Post-Dispatch large-schools rankings, Hazelwood Central (9-1) advances to the playoffs as the runner-up in District 4 — McCluer North won the district title based on defeating Central 16-10 two weeks ago — and will now play District 3 winner CBC (8-2) on Friday in the sectionals.
Hazelwood West (7-3), which tied Central for the league title a year ago, entered Saturday's game averaging a league-leading 34 points per contest and 234 rushing yards per game.
But the Wildcats never got going offensively, gaining 128 rushing yards on 38 carries, completing four of 10 passes for 28 yards and converting just one of 10 third-down opportunities as the Hawks recorded their first shutout of the season.
"Our coaches always do a great job of scheming teams and putting us in a great position to play," said Hazelwood Central linebacker Yomi Alli, who returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown on the second play of the second half. "We have good team chemistry. We know where we're supposed to be and when we're supposed to be there and that really helps."
Hazelwood Central's offense scored touchdowns in the first, second and fourth quarters. Quarterback Kerry Gibson rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries and completed four of 11 passes for 85 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Young. Tra Brown rushed for 85 yards and Rodney Smith had a 9-yard touchdown run.
McCluer North 42, Riverview Gardens 8 — Tyran Carey scored five touchdowns, four in the first half, and had 224 total yards (190 rushing, 34 receiving) to lead the Stars (6-4) to the Class 6, District 4 championship over the host Rams (6-4).
