Preview: Parkway Central Begins With Tough Test Against Ladue

Parkway Central took a beating a year ago in an opening game against the Ladue football team with a 41-36 loss.

Now, the two teams meet again at Central on Friday to open the 2011 season. But this will be a new Ladue team, and also a brand new turf field at Central.

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The Rams’ defense will be tested by , led by senior wideout Brandon Sheperd, who caught 20 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns last season. He also averaged eight yards per carry on 17 attempts with two more scores.

The Colts will also be breaking in a new quarterback in junior Cole Gorman, who Sheperd said will surprise some people.

The star of the night could be the new artificial turf at Central. Construction and grounds crews worked tirelessly this week to get the field ready. There was talk earlier this week that the game would be played at Parkway West, which will also break in a new turf this season.

The Friday night lights will be turned on for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Ladue's star quarterback Kortland Webb was one of 21 seniors on last year’s Ladue team and he was the do-it-all player. Webb, now at the University of Missouri, led the team in scoring with 19 touchdowns. He had 18 rushing touchdowns and even caught one while throwing for 17 more. Eleven of those passing touchdowns went to Jehu Chesson, who is back for his senior season.

Chesson’s return could make things easier for senior quarterback Brandon Carr, who will be making his first varsity start against the Colts.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Carr played sparingly last year, but head coach Mike Tarpley said over the summer that he expects “big things” from his new signal caller.