The final weekend of the high school football regular season is upon us, bringing with it several key matchups as teams prepare for the postseason.

The big game in the Metro East is Friday night when nationally ranked IMG Academy from Bradenton, Fla., visits East St. Louis to take on the undefeated Flyers. IMG Academy enters the game ranked No. 6 in the MaxPrep rankings and No. 7 in the USA Today Super 25 rankings. East St. Louis is currently 8-0 with impressive wins over Imotep (PA) and Illinois Wilmette Academy this season. Kick-off is at 7 p.m

A big matchup on the Missouri side pits state championship contenders Cardinal Ritter and Lutheran North, who meet Friday night at Ritter. Ritter is No. 1 in Class 5 and is currently on a 35-game winning streak, while Lutheran North is No. 1 in Class 4. Both teams have tremendous talent on both sides of the ball.

Another important game will be a matchup between Missouri and Illinois when DeSmet visits Edwardsville. Both teams are strong postseason contenders in their respective major school divisions. Both teams suffered defeats against strong opponents last weekend. DeSmet lost last week to Missouri star Cardinal Ritter, while Edwardsville is coming off a tough 14-7 loss to Southwestern Conference rival East St. Louis.

Outstanding week 8

Run back Madden Irving of Chaminade rushed for 315 yards on 35 carries and a school-record seven touchdowns in the Red Devils' 62-35 victory over Hillsboro.

quarterback Carson Boyd from Cardinal Ritter rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns and threw a touchdown pass in the Lions' 28-3 win over DeSmet.

Recipient Dekari Weaver from Chaminade had six receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown in the Red Devils' 62-35 victory over Hillsboro.

quarterback Zion Taylor of Cahokia completed 12 of 17 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns in the Comanches' 26-9 victory over Collinsville.

Run back Martez Stephenson of Lutheran North rushed for 246 yards on 11 carries and five touchdowns in the Crusaders' 71-7 victory over Lutheran St. Charles

Run back Jordan Taylor of SLUH rushed for 281 yards on 28 carries and three touchdowns in the Jr. Bills' 31-3 victory over St. Mary's

What's coming up for week 8?

Thursday, October 24th

Kirkwood at Hazelwood Central, 6 p.m

Jennings at University City, 6 p.m

Timberland at Fort Zumwalt North, 7 p.m

Friday, October 25th

Parkway West at Hazelwood East, 6 p.m

Rockhurst at SLUH, 6 p.m

Summit in Ritenour, 6 p.m

Rock Bridge at Francis Howell, 7 p.m

St. Mary's on the CBC, 6 p.m

Eureka at Pattonville, 7 p.m

Webster Groves at Seckman, 7 p.m

Ladue on Fox, 7 p.m

MICDS in Mexico, 7 p.m

Lafayette at Marquette, 7 p.m

Warrenton at Fort Zumwalt South, 7 p.m

Festus in Jackson, 7 p.m

Chaminade at Hickman, 7 p.m

Lindbergh in Mehlville, 7 p.m

Saturday, October 26th

Clayton at Riverview Gardens, 11 a.m

Gateway STEM in Solda n, midday

Roosevelt at Miller Career Academy, noon

Confluence at John Burroughs, 1 p.m

St. Dominic in Westminster, 1 p.m

Earl's world

Mizzou's big 21-17 win over Auburn last Saturday in Columbia featured several outstanding football players from the St. Louis area. First and foremost was the starting quarterback Brady Cook (Chaminade), who injured his ankle in the first quarter, went to the hospital and then returned in the fourth quarter to put the Tigers back in front from a 17-6 deficit. Recipient Mookie Cooper (Trinity Catholic) had a 78-yard reception to set up a touchdown. Run back Jamal Roberts (St. Mary's) scored the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds. Defensive back Marvin Burks Jr. (Cardinal Ritter) had a team-high 10 tackles as a defensive back Toriano pride had a big fumble recovery. Recipient Luther burden III (East St. Louis) had a team-high six receptions…St. Louisian Napheesa Collier had a historic run in the postseason, leading the Minnesota Lynx to second place in the WNBA playoffs. The former Incarnate Word star had 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in the Lynx's loss to the New York Liberty in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals. The 6-foot-11 Collier's playoff resume included most points scored in a single postseason, most points in a playoff game (42), most steals in a WNBA Finals series and most stocks and blocks) in a single postseason. Collier became the only player in WNBA history to average 40 points in a series, which she accomplished in the first round against Phoenix.