Class 2 semifinals
Jefferson (9-2) at Lamar (10-1)
Saturday, 3 p.m.
According to Google maps, Lamar is 279 miles from Festus.
The Tigers beat Liberty (Mountain View) 32-8 in the state quarterfinals. The Blue Jays beat Duchesne 24-6 in their quarterfinal game and are playing in the semifinals for the first time.
Lamar won the Class 2 state championship from 2011 to 2017 and lost in the quarterfinals in 2019 and semifinals in 2018.
Scott Bailey was the head coach for all seven of Lamar’s state championships. Bailey was hired by Jefferson City this spring to be the head coach of the Jays but resigned earlier this month after finishing 3-7. Jared Beshore was hired by Lamar this year to coach his alma mater’s football team.
Lamar beat Valle Catholic in 2016 and 2017, scoring 50 or more points in both meetings. The Tigers finished 14-0 in both seasons and were 15-0 in 2015. Valle Catholic is the perennial I-55 Conference champion and is undefeated (9-0) against Jefferson all time.
The Tigers are averaging 43.3 points per game and have amassed more than 3,200 rush yards on the season. The Blue Jays have outscored their opponents this season by an average of 36-14. Senior running back Dylan Schnitzler leads Jefferson in rushing with 1,152 yards on 157 carries and has scored 18 touchdowns. Schnitzler’s cousin, Will, leads the Blue Jays with four interceptions. Jefferson senior linebacker Dawson Jakoubek has a team-high 129 tackles.