Week 8 was another great one in the Ozarks with several players putting together big-time performances on big stages. Here is Jordan Burton's weekly recap.
Big Man on Campus
Ethan Bates, Lockwood – During the summer Bates was noted at camps and combines for his combination of size and athleticism; the fullback doubles as an all-conference defensive end. But, with all-star running back Kyle Bouldin out, the 255-pound junior was a star as a feature back, rushing for 198 yards and four touchdowns on just eight carries in a win over Miller. And, as you can imagine, the video is very similar to the movie “Little Giants” when Spike gets the rock. *CLICK HERE TO SEE BATES VS. MILLER*
Helmet Stickers
Jordan Dean, Marshfield – He didn’t throw a lot of balls, so he made the ones he did throw count, completing eight of his 10 attempts for 212 yards and five touchdowns in a 43-0 win over Buffalo. The senior quarterback also rushed for 51 yards in limited action.
Chipper Berry & Dylan Mountain, Skyline – It was one of the biggest games in the Missouri and these two decided to take it over. Behind an impressive offensive line performance, the Tigers handed it to Marionville with Mountain rushing for 157 yards and four touchdowns while his running mate in the backfield Berry added 155 yards and three more scores.
Blake Drake, Diamond – Just a sophomore, Drake continues to make plays wherever he is lined up. It doesn’t get much better than having five touchdowns in a single game, but the fact that three came on the ground (13 carries, 140 yards), one came through the air (20-yard TD reception) and one came defensively (40-yard pick-6) speak to just how versatile he is.
Nick Haddock, Reeds Spring – I doubted Reeds Spring and the Wolves got the last laugh with Haddock playing a major role. The senior quarterback runs the veer like a pro, rushing for 223 yards and three touchdowns to help Reeds Spring remain undefeated in a 35-24 win over Central.
Devin Hames, Neosho – The only way to describe Hames running style angry; Neosho’s senior back refuses to go down on first or even second contact, which Republic learned the hard way as he hit the Tigers up for 275 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries in a huge win for the ‘Cats. *CLICK HERE FOR HIGHLIGHTS*
Keegan Hoopes & Ryan Martin, West Plains – Martin and Hoopes may sound like something your parents listened to during prom back in the day, but it is actually the name of one of the area’s top running back duos. Against a Parkview team that loves to run the football, these two gave it right back to them with Martin, who is coming off of a torn ACL last fall, rushing for 173 yards and three touchdowns. Hoopes added 159 yards and three scores of his own, putting him over 1,000 yard for the season.
Blake Jeffries, Jasper – Just one week ahead of a showdown with Lockwood the senior quarterback had a day in a tune-up against Windsor, rushing for 127 yards and score, passing for 115 yards and another touchdown and returning an interception for a touchdown in the 52-20 win.
Bailey Rettman, Rogersville – It’s no secret that Rogersville has struggled this year, but Rettmann hasn’t let that stop him from making plays. The senior athlete had a huge Friday night *CLICK HERE FOR HIGHLIGHTS* which included six catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. Rettmann also had seven tackles, a pair of interceptions (both were insane catches) and a pass break-up.
Aaron Samek, Bolivar – On a team with playmakers all over the field it is sometimes hard to give everyone their touches, but few do as much with the ball as Samek. His highlights from Friday don’t quite tell the story of how dynamic he is with the ball, but his 120 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries kind of gives you an idea.
Erik Savage, Hillcrest – His last name is fitting. The junior athlete is back and healthy, which is bad news for opposing defenses. Usually splitting out wide, this week Savage flashed his athletic ability at quarterback in certain packages, rushing for 219 yards on 25 carries and three touchdowns in a win over Rolla. He also caught an 86-yard touchdown for the Hornets. *CLICK HERE FOR HIGHLIGHTS*
Malachi Stout, Kickapoo – At this point we’ve just accepted that Stout can just do things on a football field that most guys can’t do and that was on full display in a 49-21 win over Lebanon. The senior back showed just why he will be an asset at the next level, rushing for 155 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries, turning two receptions into 49 yards and two more scores and, just because he can, returning a punt 75 yards for a touchdown.
By the Numbers
1/2: The seeds for Kickapoo and Joplin – In one of the state’s toughest district traditionally, the Chiefs and Eagles will get to host playoff games in the Ozarks, only increasing the likelihood that the Ozarks could have its first-ever Class 6 district champion. Joplin hosts Hillcrest and has nearly a three-point lead on Lee’s Summit West, making it nearly impossible for them to lose that seed.
6: Number of conferences still up for grabs – As of now, not even Webb City can lose on Friday and still claim a conference championship outright (a Webb loss and Carthage win would force a tie). So, to say that Friday has some meaningful games is putting it lightly. Last year Kickapoo lost to Waynesville to end the season, should that happen again the Chiefs, coupled with a West Plains win, would share the Ozark Conference with the Zizzers. Bolivar and Reeds Spring are both undefeated in the COC-Small play, so it’ll be a winner take all scenario when they matchup on Friday. The same is true in the Big 8 with Carl Junction visiting Lamar in hopes of a third straight conference title, while the Tigers are looking for their first Big 8 crown under Scott Bailey. The SRVC will be decided by an undefeated clash of titans with Lockwood and Jasper. These two have been on a collision course all year and crushing nearly everyone in their path. And, last but not least, should MV-BT/Liberty slip up, the Thayer/Mountain Grove winner would both grab a share of the SCA along with the Eagles (unless there is a tie-breaker I don’t know about).
9: Number of undefeated teams in the Ozarks (Kickapoo, Webb City, Carl Junction, Reeds Spring, Lamar, MV-BT/Liberty, Skyline, Lockwood, Jasper) – At most, that number will be seven entering district play with CJ taking on Lamar and Lockwood playing Jasper in Week 9.
54.84: Number of district points for Thayer – Why is this important? Well, in a district that also houses state-ranked Lockwood and Marionville, the Bobcats will not be forced to take a bus ride halfway across the state. With a trip to Mountain Grove on the schedule on Friday adding bonus points for playing up two classes, Thayer will hold on to the No. 1 seed win or lose.
4,100: Number of yards for Glendale’s Alex Huston – That is the most in the nation, as the sophomore continues to put up staggering numbers. He’s also thrown 47 touchdown passes. His favorite target, junior Luke Montgomery, is leading the nation in receiving yards (1,511) and also leads Missouri in receptions (100) and receiving touchdowns (19).
Best Games of Week 9
Class 4 No. 2 Carl Junction (8-0) at Class 2 No. 1 Lamar (8-0) – It doesn’t get any bigger than this. The Bulldogs have won the last two meetings on the final play of the game, both giving CJ Big 8 championships. This is the last time they will meet in a conference game with Carl Junction bolting to the COC. Lamar hasn’t won a Big 8 title or finished a season undefeated; both have been goals for the Tigers.
Class 1 No. 7 Lockwood (8-0) at Class 1 No. 10 Jasper (8-0) – Last year Jasper rolled Lockwood to force a three-way tie for the SRVC crown. Jasper has won the last two decisively, but Lockwood won the four before that. With a big win Lockwood should grab the No. 2 seed in the district, while Jasper will be the No. 1 seed no matter what.
Class 3 No. 6 Reeds Spring (8-0) at Bolivar (7-1) – We’ve been waiting for someone to give Bolivar a loss in the COC Small and it almost happened last year when Reeds rallied from a four touchdown deficit, only to lose 33-28. Both teams are locked in to district seeds, so this one is purely for conference braggin’ rights. All season long people like me have doubted the Wolves because of their schedule, this is their chance to prove to everyone just how good they are.
Class 1 No. 9 Thayer (7-1) at Class 3 No. 5 Mountain Grove (7-1) – These two are both locked into district seeds, but should Liberty get upset, the winner of this game will share the SCA crown. Thayer hasn’t scored a point against the Panthers since 2012 and their last win in Mountain Grove came in 2011, in overtime. This will be another gritty SCA throwdown.
Republic (4-4) at Class 5 No. 10 Nixa (4-4) – This game is big for one reason; districts. They share a district and right now Nixa has a 1.82 point lead over the Tigers for the No. 1 seed and homefield advantage throughout. Both teams are coming off of a loss and neither wants to go into districts riding a two-game skid. Furthermore, Republic hasn’t beaten Nixa since 2007 and haven’t won in Nixa in more than a decade.
Class 5 No. 7 Carthage (8-1) at Willard (5-3) – Another game that is big solely for district standings. At this point, we all assume that Carthage is the best team in the district despite the fact that Smith-Cotton will likely be the No. 1 seed. But, should Smith-Cotton lose to 8-0 KC Center, this becomes interesting, especially for Willard. The Black Tigers (I hate saying that but the COC has way too many Tigers) are currently the fifth seed in the district, but would have a chance to jump Belton with a win. And, because they own the head-to-head tie-breaker with Neosho, who should finish No. 3, Willard could potentially jump two seeds and avoid the No. 1 seed until the district championship. These two also have some unfinished business to settle from last year, when Willard won the regular-season meeting 44-28, but lost 48-47 in the district championship. Willard also won the 2013 matchup, snapping a drought against the Blue Tigers (cringe) that had lasted more than a decade.
