Festus, Missouri, is buzzing with excitement as the high school football community anticipates a thrilling state championship matchup. The Class 4 Missouri high school football state championship game will see Festus (11-2) face off against Lutheran North (12-1) at Faurot Field on Friday morning. This marks a momentous occasion as these two teams from the St. Louis metro area will clash for the first time since 2004, and both squads have shown incredible promise this season.
Festus is on a mission to secure its first-ever state championship title, having never made it to this stage before. In contrast, Lutheran North is a seasoned competitor in the finals, having made it to this round eight times overall, and they have emerged victorious in six of those previous appearances.
Both teams boast strong defensive records, with Festus allowing an average of 13.2 points per game and Lutheran North just slightly higher at 14 points per game. However, Lutheran North comes in with a significant offensive edge, averaging nearly 50 points per game compared to Festus’ 31 points.
Key players for Festus include quarterback Essien Smith, who has thrown for 1,083 yards with 9 touchdowns, and running back Leauntae Williams, who has eclipsed the 1,000 yards mark and scored 11 touchdowns. Lutheran North’s standout performers include running back Martez Stephenson, with 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns, and quarterback Jonathan Moore, who has an impressive 36 touchdowns to his name.
The game is set to kick off at 11 a.m. CT on December 6, and fans can follow along for live updates or watch the game on MSHSAA.tv (purchase required). This encounter promises to be an exciting chapter in the storied rivalry of high school football in Missouri.
