Photos by Brian McDonald
Cardinal Ritter and St. Mary’s Advance to Missouri State Football Semifinals
City Catholic Powers Cardinal Ritter and St. Mary’s Advance to State Football Semifinals
Two Catholic football powerhouses, Cardinal Ritter and St. Mary’s, have advanced to the Missouri state football semifinals after impressive playoff victories. Both teams showcased their resilience and star players, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of semifinal matchups.
Cardinal Ritter’s Dominance Led by Manny Ellis
Cardinal Ritter Lions, under coach Brennan Spain, secured a commanding 36-13 victory over Fort Zumwalt North in the Missouri Class 5 quarterfinals last Saturday. Reflecting on last year’s quarterfinal loss to Lafayette, Spain emphasized the team’s determination:
“The goal every year is to get back to state. That’s what we work hard for as players and coaches.”
Manny Ellis Shines
Despite struggles in the passing game, superstar running back Manny Ellis carried the Lions to victory. Ellis rushed for an impressive 199 yards and three touchdowns, including a 61-yard sprint on the opening possession. His other touchdowns included a 21-yard run in the first quarter and an 8-yard score just before halftime, giving Ritter a 28-6 lead at the break.
Quarterback Moore added a 4-yard rushing touchdown, while the only big passing play came from an 80-yard catch-and-run by Andre Mayne in the third quarter.
Moore praised Ellis, saying:
“When we don’t have our best game, we know a back like Manny will come through for us. It’s great to have a back like that to believe in.”
Ellis, a senior, has been a workhorse this season, amassing 2,468 rushing yards on 224 carries, averaging 11 yards per carry with 31 touchdowns.
“I love carrying the ball,” Ellis said. “I can handle the load physically and mentally by what I do in the offseason to get ready with my workouts and trainers.”
Cardinal Ritter (9-3), winners of back-to-back state titles in 2022 and 2023, will now face Carthage High in the semifinals next Saturday near Branson, Missouri.
St. Mary’s Dragons Continue Their Playoff Run
Another inner-city Catholic powerhouse, St. Mary’s, advanced to the Missouri Class 4 semifinals after a hard-fought 20-14 win over Parkway North last Friday.
Kingston Miles Powers the Dragons
The Dragons relied on running back Kingston Miles, who rushed for 203 yards on 33 carries. His standout moment came in the fourth quarter with a 90-yard touchdown run, extending St. Mary’s lead to 20-7. Despite a late rally by Parkway North, the Dragons held on for the win.
St. Mary’s coach Ray Merriweather has turned the program around in just his second year. After a 4-7 season in 2024, the Dragons have improved significantly, thanks to their drop to Class 4 and elevated on-field performance.
“We’ve worked hard to get to this point,” Merriweather said. “The team’s effort and focus have been incredible.”
St. Mary’s (9-3) will host Hannibal in the semifinals, with hopes of advancing to the state championship.
Looking Ahead
Both Cardinal Ritter and St. Mary’s are poised to make deep runs in their respective classes. With standout players like Manny Ellis and Kingston Miles leading the charge, these Catholic football powerhouses are proving their dominance on the field.
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