2020 Preseason All-St. Louis Area Team (Offensive Seniors)
Marc Lillibridge
With so many good players in the St. Louis market, this article will focus on seniors who are primed to have massive seasons. (Don’t worry, preseason teams focused on juniors and sophomores will be out before season hits). There are some big-time names on this list and other players who should catapult themselves into post-season award status.
Quarterbacks
[player_tooltip player_id="37191" first="Kaden" last="McMullen"], Living Word Christian (6’3, 200)
Improved arm strength, added weight and shortening up his release has made McMullen the best QB prospect in the class out of St. Louis.
[player_tooltip player_id="37202" first="Cam’Ron" last="McCoy"], St. Mary’s (6’1, 180)
McCoy helped St. Mary’s become a viable threat every game with his arm talent and feet. The dual-threat has good leadership qualities and still has room to grow.
Running Backs
[caption id="attachment_37034" align="alignright" width="150"]
Photo: Jason Schoenig Dirt and Turf Photos[/caption]
[player_tooltip player_id="37161" first="Darez" last="Snider"], DeSmet Jesuit (5’7, 175) The Miami of Ohio commit has every aspect to his game. Speed, cat-like quickness, soft hands and balance. Add the fact that he is a dynamic returner and you have the makings for the best player in the state.
[caption id="attachment_37035" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Photo: Jason Schoenig Dirt and Turf Photos[/caption]
[player_tooltip player_id="37166" first="Rico" last="Barfield"], DeSmet Jesuit (6’, 190) The stabilizer for the three-headed backfield of DeSmet Jesuit, Barfield has good vision, runs under his pads and is a willing blocker.
[player_tooltip player_id="37173" first="Bill" last="Jackson"], Cardinal Ritter (5’10, 180) Under new coaching at CR, Jackson is primed for a massive senior year. Recently committed to Tulsa, Jackson will be counted on to tote the rock, which he does at an incredible clip. Shifty, tough and fast, Jackson has big-time tools.
[player_tooltip player_id="37188" first="Amar" last="Johnson"], Chaminade (5’11, 180) One of the smartest players in the metro area, Johnson is also a grinder who works extremely hard. His work ethic stood out this offseason by gaining weight and strength while preparing for his senior season. That will pay considerable dividends.
Wide Receivers
Chevalier Brenson, Christian Brothers College (6’4, 200) The best wide receiver in the state, Brenson uses his size well in jump ball and contested situations to win at the high point. The basketball star still has room to grow as a route runner but offseason work on the route tree will pay off in 2020.
[player_tooltip player_id="37164" first="Demetrius" last="Cannon"], Trinity Catholic (6’3, 205) Cannon, who recently committed to Louisville, has advanced ball skills and attacks the football in the air. Sudden out of his breaks, Cannon used this offseason to work on his speed, which will show up on gameday this season.
[player_tooltip player_id="37181" first="Angelo" last="Butts"], McCluer North (5’10, 160) An explosive athlete that can line up anywhere on the field, Butts does it all for McCluer North. The Miami of Ohio commit has speed for days, is a smooth mover in space and competes for every yard.
[player_tooltip player_id="37193" first="Jackson" last="Fortner"], Kirkwood (6’2, 170) Fortner is a solid route runner with substantial quick twitch movements. Fortner has strong hands, good long speed and burst once he hits the seam. Adds value as a returner as well.
[player_tooltip player_id="37203" first="Rashod" last="Smith-Harvey"], DeSmet Jesuit (5’8, 160) The undersized player has the heart of a line and the competitive spirit of a warrior. Smith-Harvey is a first-rate route runner, plucks the ball with outstretched hands and is tough going over the middle.
[caption id="attachment_37037" align="alignright" width="150"]
Photo: Jason Schoenig Dirt and Turf Photos[/caption]
Tight Ends
Eli Edmonds, Fort Zumwalt South (6’4, 195) Edmonds lines up at WR, H-back and is strong on defense. Listed as a TE here because that’s his projection in college and he is such a good blocker. Movement skills remind me of now Missouri TE, Daniel Parker Jr.
[player_tooltip player_id="37226" first="Will" last="Kacmarek"], MICDS (6’6, 240) Quick in and out of his breaks, Kacmarek is an improved route runner who catches the football with ease. Asa blocker, the MICDS player used leverage and angles well to seal the edges and complete the block. With a stalwart senior year, Kacmarek will see his recruiting hit another straosphere.
Offensive Linemen
[player_tooltip player_id="37175" first="Hutson" last="Lillibridge"], DeSmet Jesuit (6’4, 300) Improved quickness and flexibility this offseason has taken Lillibridge’s game to different level. Always one to finish blocks with force, the ability to block on space and on the move with quick feet will help the now left tackle in 2020.
[caption id="attachment_36907" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Photo: Jason Schoenig, Dirt and Turf Photos[/caption]
[player_tooltip player_id="37220" first="Justen" last="Richardson"], Lutheran North (6’2, 265) The 2019 state champ uses swift feet and body control to make his blocks. Active on pull blocks and in space, Richardson is masterful at re-setting his hands to achieve his block.
[player_tooltip player_id="37255" first="Jack" last="Powers"], Westminster (6’4, 295) Powers has intelligence, toughness and improved foot quickness to make and sustain blocks. The leader of an improving Westminster squad, Powers ability to leverage and drive defenders will go along way to the outcome of the offense.
[player_tooltip player_id="37263" first="Luke" last="Strassner"], Fort Zumwalt West (6’4, 275) Strassner plays with power, intensity and heavy hands. The FSW product has improved his flexibility this offseason and by being able to bend and dig defenders out of the hole, Strassner’s college offers will explode.
[player_tooltip player_id="37279" first="John" last="Wilson"], St. Charles West (6’5, 318) Wilson shows the same good football work on the basketball court as he does on the football field. Once Wilson finishes blocks with force and gets dirty, which will be expected this season, he will be a hot prospect with college coaches.
[player_tooltip player_id="37191" first="Kaden" last="McMullen"], Living Word Christian (6’3, 200)
Improved arm strength, added weight and shortening up his release has made McMullen the best QB prospect in the class out of St. Louis.
[player_tooltip player_id="37202" first="Cam’Ron" last="McCoy"], St. Mary’s (6’1, 180)
McCoy helped St. Mary’s become a viable threat every game with his arm talent and feet. The dual-threat has good leadership qualities and still has room to grow.
Running Backs
[caption id="attachment_37034" align="alignright" width="150"] Photo: Jason Schoenig Dirt and Turf Photos[/caption]
[player_tooltip player_id="37161" first="Darez" last="Snider"], DeSmet Jesuit (5’7, 175) The Miami of Ohio commit has every aspect to his game. Speed, cat-like quickness, soft hands and balance. Add the fact that he is a dynamic returner and you have the makings for the best player in the state.
[caption id="attachment_37035" align="alignleft" width="150"] Photo: Jason Schoenig Dirt and Turf Photos[/caption]
[player_tooltip player_id="37166" first="Rico" last="Barfield"], DeSmet Jesuit (6’, 190) The stabilizer for the three-headed backfield of DeSmet Jesuit, Barfield has good vision, runs under his pads and is a willing blocker.
[player_tooltip player_id="37173" first="Bill" last="Jackson"], Cardinal Ritter (5’10, 180) Under new coaching at CR, Jackson is primed for a massive senior year. Recently committed to Tulsa, Jackson will be counted on to tote the rock, which he does at an incredible clip. Shifty, tough and fast, Jackson has big-time tools.
[player_tooltip player_id="37188" first="Amar" last="Johnson"], Chaminade (5’11, 180) One of the smartest players in the metro area, Johnson is also a grinder who works extremely hard. His work ethic stood out this offseason by gaining weight and strength while preparing for his senior season. That will pay considerable dividends.
Wide Receivers
Chevalier Brenson, Christian Brothers College (6’4, 200) The best wide receiver in the state, Brenson uses his size well in jump ball and contested situations to win at the high point. The basketball star still has room to grow as a route runner but offseason work on the route tree will pay off in 2020.
[player_tooltip player_id="37164" first="Demetrius" last="Cannon"], Trinity Catholic (6’3, 205) Cannon, who recently committed to Louisville, has advanced ball skills and attacks the football in the air. Sudden out of his breaks, Cannon used this offseason to work on his speed, which will show up on gameday this season.
[player_tooltip player_id="37181" first="Angelo" last="Butts"], McCluer North (5’10, 160) An explosive athlete that can line up anywhere on the field, Butts does it all for McCluer North. The Miami of Ohio commit has speed for days, is a smooth mover in space and competes for every yard.
[player_tooltip player_id="37193" first="Jackson" last="Fortner"], Kirkwood (6’2, 170) Fortner is a solid route runner with substantial quick twitch movements. Fortner has strong hands, good long speed and burst once he hits the seam. Adds value as a returner as well.
[player_tooltip player_id="37203" first="Rashod" last="Smith-Harvey"], DeSmet Jesuit (5’8, 160) The undersized player has the heart of a line and the competitive spirit of a warrior. Smith-Harvey is a first-rate route runner, plucks the ball with outstretched hands and is tough going over the middle.
[caption id="attachment_37037" align="alignright" width="150"] Photo: Jason Schoenig Dirt and Turf Photos[/caption]
Tight Ends
Eli Edmonds, Fort Zumwalt South (6’4, 195) Edmonds lines up at WR, H-back and is strong on defense. Listed as a TE here because that’s his projection in college and he is such a good blocker. Movement skills remind me of now Missouri TE, Daniel Parker Jr.
[player_tooltip player_id="37226" first="Will" last="Kacmarek"], MICDS (6’6, 240) Quick in and out of his breaks, Kacmarek is an improved route runner who catches the football with ease. Asa blocker, the MICDS player used leverage and angles well to seal the edges and complete the block. With a stalwart senior year, Kacmarek will see his recruiting hit another straosphere.
Offensive Linemen
[player_tooltip player_id="37175" first="Hutson" last="Lillibridge"], DeSmet Jesuit (6’4, 300) Improved quickness and flexibility this offseason has taken Lillibridge’s game to different level. Always one to finish blocks with force, the ability to block on space and on the move with quick feet will help the now left tackle in 2020.
[caption id="attachment_36907" align="alignleft" width="150"] Photo: Jason Schoenig, Dirt and Turf Photos[/caption]
[player_tooltip player_id="37220" first="Justen" last="Richardson"], Lutheran North (6’2, 265) The 2019 state champ uses swift feet and body control to make his blocks. Active on pull blocks and in space, Richardson is masterful at re-setting his hands to achieve his block.
[player_tooltip player_id="37255" first="Jack" last="Powers"], Westminster (6’4, 295) Powers has intelligence, toughness and improved foot quickness to make and sustain blocks. The leader of an improving Westminster squad, Powers ability to leverage and drive defenders will go along way to the outcome of the offense.
[player_tooltip player_id="37263" first="Luke" last="Strassner"], Fort Zumwalt West (6’4, 275) Strassner plays with power, intensity and heavy hands. The FSW product has improved his flexibility this offseason and by being able to bend and dig defenders out of the hole, Strassner’s college offers will explode.
[player_tooltip player_id="37279" first="John" last="Wilson"], St. Charles West (6’5, 318) Wilson shows the same good football work on the basketball court as he does on the football field. Once Wilson finishes blocks with force and gets dirty, which will be expected this season, he will be a hot prospect with college coaches. 
