BY STEVE KORTE - News-Democrat
ST. LOUIS -- The chance to perform on the same stage as the NFL's St. Louis Rams was too good for the O'Fallon Panthers to pass up.
The Panthers gave up a home game to play in the Great American Football Classic at the Edward Jones Dome. They'll play Belleville West at 8:30 tonight. Granite City will play Belleville East at 5:45 p.m.
"I think it will be an exciting environment for everybody," Panthers coach Brandon Joggerst said. "For just high school kids in general, I think it will be something neat that they will always remember. We had to make the commitment to give up the home game, but the reward for the kids outweighs it."
West coach Cameron Pettus said the venue should bring extra enthusiasm to the game.
"I guarantee we won't have to give a pregame pep talk, that's for sure," Pettus said. "It'll be, 'Just relax and have fun.' They're going to be pretty revved up."
The Panthers have outscored their first two opponents 96-25, but Joggerst said his squad needs to stay focused on the task at hand each week.
"Obviously, you're never quite as good as you think you are," Joggerst said. "They are going to be fired up and they are a very determined team. If you look past anybody, you are going to get spanked."
Pettus said the Maroons must tackle well and limit the Panthers' big plays to be successful.
"Fast, speed, athletic -- they are going to be a very, very tough opponent," Pettus said. "They look exceptionally fast and talented across the board."
The Maroons have been balanced on offense this year as they have run for 290 yards and thrown for 287 yards.
Senior quarterback Kyle Leadlove has completed 27 of 51 passes for three touchdowns and no interceptions despite taking no snaps with the varsity last year.
"I think me and the offensive coaches are the only ones who understood what kind of a talent he is," Pettus said. "I was telling coaches last spring at a recruiting fair, 'I know that this kid hasn't played a down, but you just never know. If he gets on the field, I think you guys are going to like what he can do.'
"He has gotten that opportunity and he has done a very nice job with it."
Today's game: Belleville West (1-1) at O'Fallon (2-0), 8:30 p.m. at Edward Jones Dome
Last week: Belleville West beat Althoff 24-6; O'Fallon beat Moline 47-19
Last meeting: O'Fallon's Ejay Johnson ran for 248 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers' 21-7 win over the Maroons.
Belleville West players to watch: QB Kyle Leadlove (27 of 51 passing for 287 yards and three TDs); RB Deonte McCarvey (21 carries for 155 yards and one touchown); WR Demechio Spraggins (9 catches for 83 yards); WR Ray Scott (8 catches for 81 yards and one touchdown) and LB Tremont Davis (23 tackles, 2 sacks)
O'Fallon players to watch: QB Todd Porter (11 of 16 passing for 192 yards and two TDs); RB Ejay Johnson (20 carries for 151 yards and seven touchdowns); TE Isaac Bouquet (5 catches for 57 yards); DL Johnny Little (11 tackles, one interception); LB Mike Cotton (10 tackles, 1 fumble recovery)
Notes: The Maroons lost last year, but they've won three of the last four meetings against the Panthers. ... Johnson's seven TDs are the most in the metro-east. ... The Panthers are the top scoring (96 points) and top defensive (25 points allowed) team in the Southwestern Conference. ... Both Belleville West kicker Austin Seibert (3 FGs) and O'Fallon kicker Austin Barnes could be factors in the climate-friendly confines of the dome.
