Addie Conway
Staff Writer
Statesmen football will not go to the Edwards Jones Dome, for the first time in two years, due to a 42-26 loss to Parkway Central in Sectionals on Nov. 7.
“You could look at it two ways,” said Head Coach Cliff Ice. “It’s both our good fortune and our curse that we go to State. If you look at the big picture, we were 35-3 and a lot of teams would want our season.”
The Statesmen hung on to beat Parkway North on the final day of its regular season Oct. 28, scoring 38 over 24. The team opened the play offs with a 34-32 victory over Rockwood Summit on Nov. 2, but Parkway Central proved too much as it crushed the Statesmen’s hope of 2011 State appearance.
“I was disappointed,” said Westbrook. “I wish people didn’t quit. A lot of the team just gave up, because they could see the game was over. It’s not over until the last three minutes of the game. I kept playing, as did some others, but I wish the others would have too.”
Stand out moments of the Statesmen season include senior quarterback Rayshawn Simmons breaking Darrell Jackson’s 2003 record of 2,673 passing yards in a season with 2,977, and big wins against teams SLUH (49-28), Parkway West (52-10) and Chaminade (35-0).
The team credits its success to both coaches and to the team chemistry.
“The coaches bring everything,” said senior Rayshawn Simmons. “They’re the brain behind the robot.”
“I love my team,” said senior Mike Cole. “They’re my brothers, and they’re always there for me. One of my favorite moments was just kickin’ it with my team. The coach’s work ethics (running the same stuff like drills or just staying on top of us) really helped lead us.”
“I’d like to tell my coaches that even though I didn’t have the best attitude after the game, they were still there for me,” said senior Dante Flowers. “They helped me improve my abilities and hopefully get to play college ball. To my team, I wish the best of luck in life.”
Despite the senior talent leaving the field, the team is still confident it will have the same successes as the past two years.
“The number of underclassmen [on varsity] along with the experience of this year will lead to a good season next year,” said Westbrook. “To the people for next year, don’t make the same mistakes we did this year. Add fuel to the fire and go farther than we did.”
