The regular season is OVER! Here is a look back at the best performances of Week 9.
Big Man on Campus
Jacob LaSalle, Marionville – Usually known for his ability to run and play defense, LaSalle went Aaron Rodgers against Stockton on Friday night. The senior quarterback completed 28 of his 40 attempts for 387 yards and a school-record eight touchdowns, breaking his own previous record of five. His favorite targets were the usual suspects, Tanner Wright finished with 158 yards and three touchdowns on 10 receptions and Lath Kerans also finished with three touchdowns and 96 yards.
Helmet Stickers
Alex Derryberry, Carthage – Here’s a name we’ve been missing this fall. Derryberry has missed much of the season with a foot injury, but came back just in time to lead Carthage to a 36-29 win, securing the 2-seed in the district. Derryberry completed nine of his 14 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed for 83 yards and another score.
Mark Duley, Joplin – There have been few defensive ends as productive as Duley in 2014 and Hillcrest got a full taste of his arsenal on Friday. The 6-foot-4, 220lb junior had a pair of sacks and blocked a punt, which he recovered in the end zone for a touchdown in Joplin’s 52-0 win. Duley has 11 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2015.
Jacob Eden, Strafford – Stars are supposed to step up in big games, so that’s what Jacob Eden did in a must-win game on Friday, rushing for 226 yards on 21 carries. His three third-quarter touchdowns were all 40 yards or long, helping Strafford secure the 4-seed and homefield in the first round. This is two minutes of watching a kid make some serious plays, including a one-handed interception.
Luke Hardman, Lamar – Lamar didn’t just beat Carl Junction, but in a game that was a turbo clock in the fourth quarter, Hardman was a major reason why the Tigers routed Carl Junction for their first-ever Big 8 title. The junior athlete rushed for 115 yards and a pair of touchdowns, had a 46-yard reception that led to another score and snagged an interception offensively. He also covered standout receiver Braydon Allen man-to-man all over the field.
Jerney Jones, Republic – As he’s done all season long, Jerney Jones ran like a grown man. In Republic’s biggest game of the season, Jones rushed for 216 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries, leading the Tigers to a 42-27 win over Nixa and giving the Republic the No. 1 seed and homefield throughout districts.
Lance Molz, El Dorado Springs – He’s fast on the track and he’s fast on the football field. Molz rushed for 275 yards and four touchdowns on just 16 carries in a 56-28 win over Adrian. There are few players that eat up green grass quickly as he does; he’s amazing in space. Check him out in action here.
River Phelps, Cassville – It was another huge week for “Runnin” River Phelps. The junior back rushed for 237 yards and five touchdowns in a 40-12 win over Seneca. It was the second straight week that Phelps had at least 200 total yards and five touchdowns.
Bailey Rettmann, Rogersville – Rettmann has been on a tear the last few weeks. The senior receiver caught five passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns, collected five tackles, one tackle for loss and a pair of interceptions (including an 83-yard pick-6) defensively. And, the cherry on top was an 80-yard punt return for a score.
Anthony Riley & Chaviz Nguyen, Parkview – Much like last year, Parkview has been red-hot to end the season and it has been initiated by the rushing attack. Riley owns nearly every Parkview rushing record, so his 246 yards and four touchdowns on Friday wasn’t too surprising. But, Nguyen has become his partner in crime, adding 175 yards and another score in the Vikings 42-35 win over Lebanon.
Connor Sechler, Aaron Samek & Johnny Scott, Bolivar – Lance Roweton has more weapons than he knows what to do with at Bolivar. In Friday’s 50-27 win over Reeds Spring all three were clicking. Sechler completed 15 of 18 attempts for 289 yards. Scott was his favorite target, grabbing seven passes for 132 yards and Samek cleaned it all up on the ground with 135 yards and four touchdowns.
Ben Schnelle, Lockwood – The 6-foot-5 senior quarterback showed why colleges have some interest in him in a huge 38-30 overtime win over Jasper. Schnelle went 15-for-23 for 269 yards and a touchdown, while adding 75 yards and two more scores on the ground.
Tyler Swearingin, Skyline – Another one of the freakish skill guys that Brandon Shelby has at his disposal, Swearingin did more with less on Friday. The senior athlete returned a kickoff and punt for touchdowns, added a rushing and receiving touchdown and even recovered a fumble. The only thing that can slow down the all-state sprinter is diabetes and he's winning that race too.
Wow, what a nine weeks… Upsets, big performances and unpredictability highlighted 2015 and we’re just getting started. I’m not going to preview any games this week, our district preview will come out on Monday evening. But, here’s a few random thoughts from the first nine weeks.
Congrats to the conference champs:
Ozark Conference – Kickapoo
COC Large – Webb City
COC Small – Bolivar
Big 8 – Lamar
Mid-Lakes – Skyline
SCA – MV-BT/Liberty
SRVC – Lockwood
Kickapoo is really good. The Chiefs ran the table blasting the entire Ozark Conference and it wasn’t even close (419-137).
Class 1 is LOADED. Duh, we’ve talked about this all year long; Skyline, Marionville and Lockwood are exactly as good as advertised. But how about Thayer and Jasper? Thayer’s lone loss came to MV-BT/Liberty, who is undefeated and Jasper’s lone loss came in overtime to Lockwood on Friday night. The best of it all is that Jasper and Skyline are on the opposite side of the bracket. So, the possibility of a Group 1 (Thayer, Marionville, Lockwood) vs. Group 2 (Skyline, Jasper, Lincoln) is very real. On a side note, can you imagine how fast Skyline would be indoors? Speed is only amplified on turf, so if you’re going to beat them it better be before Thanksgiving.
Lamar and MV-BT/Liberty are on a collision course again. And, much like 2013, the winner will be the Class 2 state champion. After seeing Lamar on Friday I’m not sure anyone could beat them. They are on another level and their speed is legit. That backfield has way too much speed with Embry, Hardman, Wilkerson, Whyman and McKraus. But, Jed Stahl is one of the most cerebral defensive guys in the Ozarks. The 34 points they gave up to CJ was a product of them playing up two classes, anyone else would be hard press to put up that many on the Tigers. But, if anyone can hang, it’ll be Liberty.
Class 3 and 5 just do not make sense. I’m not going to even get into the first nine weeks because all it did was result in more questions for me. All I know is Class 3 and Class 5 are wide open and the winner of each has a good shot at make a run to St. Louis.
