Savannah Wins Fourth Straight City Jamboree as St. Joseph Football Enters New Era Without Lafayette

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Savannah once again left St. Joseph on top Friday night, claiming its fourth consecutive City Jamboree title at Spratt Memorial Stadium on the campus of Missouri Western State University.

But this year's jamboree looked a little different.

For the first time, Lafayette was no longer part of the annual preseason gathering. With Lafayette High School converted into a middle school for the 2026-27 school year, St. Joseph entered the night with just two public high school football programs — Central and Benton.

For years, the City Jamboree brought together Central, Benton and Lafayette, giving local fans an early look at all three programs before the regular season. This time, the familiar green and white of the Fighting Irish was missing from the field as former Lafayette players began their first season spread among the district's remaining high schools.

Several former Lafayette players have joined Central as the Indians work to blend players and traditions from the two programs into one team.

On the field Friday, however, one thing remained the same: Savannah controlled the night.

The Savages shut out Benton 18-0 before defeating Central 12-0 to secure their fourth straight jamboree championship.

Against Benton, junior quarterback Caylor Schrick connected with senior Aiden Heasten for a touchdown. Junior Kingston Dreyer supplied two more scores with back-to-back long touchdown runs.

Savannah followed that performance with another shutout against Central.

Senior Jackson Price broke loose for a long touchdown run, while junior Kenton Dudeck connected with Makel King on a deep touchdown pass. Senior Jake Bodenhausen also came away with an interception for the Savannah defense.

Central earned a victory of its own in the other matchup, shutting out Benton 18-0.

Junior Austin Hardin scored on a short rushing touchdown for the Indians, while junior Hank Judah found junior Lincoln Darnell for a long touchdown pass. Sophomore Jephda Hong added another rushing touchdown to round out the scoring.

While the jamboree is only a preseason tune-up, Friday night offered the first real glimpse of what high school football in St. Joseph will look like following one of the biggest changes to the city's school system in generations.

Lafayette had operated as a high school since 1917 before graduating its final senior class this spring and transitioning into a middle school. Its remaining students were reassigned primarily between Central and Benton.

The Fighting Irish may no longer have a team of their own on Friday nights, but pieces of Lafayette football will continue on through the players now wearing different uniforms across St. Joseph.

The regular season officially begins Friday, Aug. 28.

Savannah will travel to Pleasant Hill, Central will host Staley at Noyes Field and Benton will host Van Horn. All three games are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.