Parkway North Ready For Football Challenge At University City

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – PREP FOOTBALL GAME PREVIEW

(1-1)  vs.  University City Lions (0-2)

Friday, September 9, 2011 – 4:15 p.m. – Muhl-Schemmer Stadium

UNIVERSITY CITY -- Two of the Suburban South Conferences speedier lineups will meet in a critical league matchup at U-City’s Muhl-Schemmer Stadium Friday afternoon.

The host Lions are coming off two straight rough defeats at the hands of Parkway West and Webster Groves, while the visiting Vikings are coming off their , and are dealing with the uncertain health of star running back/linebacker Donavin Newsom.

One of the state’s most-prized recruits, with scholarship offers to many of the top colleges in the country, and a non-binding verbal commitment to Mizzou, The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Newsom who gave a verbal pledge to the University of Missouri over the summer, played sparingly last week after suffering a knee injury in the team's

Vikings Head Coach Bob Bunton told Patch earlier this week that Newsom was "very doubtful" to play, with an MRI scheduled for Thursday.

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.

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 come up big for the Vikes in a game that surely will 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, who caught 10 passes in the season-opener against Parkway West, and has scored three touchdowns.

Defensively, Damonte Smith is the leader of a hard-hitting U-City group that’s been unfortunately 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.

Johnson has made an impact as a defensive end position, where he already leads the Suburban South with three quarterback sacks, and he'll face an inexperienced University City offensive line Friday.   

Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. Check back for complete coverage Friday.