Hazelwood East could end a long string of disappointment for the East side of the state of Missouri. It’s been well-documented that the Kansas City side of the state has dominated the large-school championships since the state went from a five- to six-class playoff format beginning in 2002.

But it goes farther than that. Dating back to Clayton and MICDS state titles in 2004, St. Louis teams have now lost 10 straight title games against schools from elsewhere in the state. The only St. Louis championship during that stretch was by DeSmet, but it beat another St. Louis team, Hazelwood Central, in the 2005 Class 6 championship.

The string of losses:

2008 … Cassville over Cardinal Ritter

2007 … Rockhurst over Mehlville

2007 … Lee’s Summit West over Parkway Central

2007 … Harrisonville over MICDS

2006 … Blue Springs South over CBC

2006 … Raymore-Peculiar over Kirkwood

2005 … Raymore-Peculiar over McCluer North

2005 … Camdenton over Affton

2005 … Harrisonville over MICDS

*2004 … Raymore-Peculiar over McCluer North

*Hazelwood East also lost to Hickman in 2004, but that was on a Friday, and MICDS beat Webb City that year on Saturday, so the streak began with the Saturday night game.