Well, the time is now for 17 area teams that will look to capture district titles and continue marching towards the Edwards Jones Dome. In the history of the O-Zone there’s never been this many compelling Week 12 matchups and with five undefeated teams, a pair of rematches and several storylines, Friday reads like a soap opera on grass.
Here’s how the action could shake out.
JORDAN VS. JOBOO – DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP PICKS – CLICK HERE
Class 6 – District 4: Blue Springs (6-5) at Kickapoo (11-0)
Kickapoo wins if – Aside from that district quarterfinal game with Lee’s Summit, Kickapoo has been dominant. We talk a lot about the offense, specifically senior running back Malachi Stout and junior quarterback Chris Lawson(Stout: 1,983 all-purpose yards, 37 TDs; Lawson: 85-136, 1,350 passing yards, 17 TDs, one interception), and we should considering the unit is averaging 43 points per game. *Check out Stout’s ridiculous touchdown against Lee’s Summit West*But, Kickapoo’s defense is no joke, especially when it comes to creating turnovers (16 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries). Football is a simple game, if you take care of the ball, create extra possessions and run it effectively you will be successful. The Chiefs do all three things extremely well. That will need to continue to be the case against a Blue Springs team that won a state title in 2013 and has won five straight games led by senior running back Tresten Spruell, who has back-to-back 100-yard games in the Wildcats’ two district upsets. Also, keep an eye on the Blue Springs defense and how it responds to Kickapoo’s pace. Spread offenses are common now, as well as the uptemp pace, but Kickapoo takes it to the extreme. Wide splits and snapping the ball within 20 seconds of the previous play ending is a tough adjustment, especially after a three-hour bus ride.
Class 5 – District 4: Lebanon (7-4) at Battle (8-2)
Matchup to Watch: Lebanon offensive line vs. Battle front seven – This game is the epitome of one that will be won in the trenches. The Jackets are physical up front with a senior dominated group led by 6-foot-6, 260lb mauler Isaac Archer and junior Colby Lathrop. It’s incredible to watch this group; they are aggressive and always get to the second level. The entire unit plays with a chip, which is why Lebanon has rushed for 3,136 yards and 32 touchdowns. We’ve also seen senior back Brandon Horsley (164-1,171, 9 TDs) take off recently with three consecutive 100-yard games. Lebanon is 5-1 when it averages six yards per carry or greater, which has happened in both district games. But, the Battle front seven is one of the most athletic you’ll see at the high school level with D-1 prospects Jerrion Nelson at defensive end and Darion Hall at middle linebacker. Before clicking on their Hudl links, understand that they are both unlike most high school kids you see. I saw both make huge plays in the 2014 state championship game and that production has carried over. Nelson, AKA “J-Rock”, has offers in hand from Iowa, Iowa State, Purdue and Toledo, among others and that will change by signing day. If Nelson is making plays off the edge (also lines up as a wildcat QB) and Hall is getting free runs to the ball it will be a long night. Battle isn’t untouchable, watch the Helias tape to see that, assignment football and keeping a hat on these two guys is the biggest key for the Jackets.
Class 5 – District 5: Nixa (6-5) at Republic (6-4)
Matchup to Watch: Nixa skill guys vs. Republic secondary – We already know this will be two teams trying to own the line of scrimmage, but I think the key could end up being which passing game is able to take advantage against loaded boxes, specifically Andrew Rivera and Nixa. Rivera has added another dimension to the Eagle offense and that was on display last week against Parkview and there are no shortage of weapons at his disposal. Chase Allen is one of the best threats in the Ozarks and Rivera is understanding that Allen is never truly covered because of his size and athleticism; you can always throw him open. Nicos Oropeza has quietly been one of the best backs in the COC, but don’t forget he was Nixa’s second leading receiver last year. Brady Wells is another name to keep an eye on, especially from the slot. Nixa has the ability to be much more dynamic in the passing game, which could be scary. Republic has some size in the back end; Cooper Powell and Devon Ward are taller defensive backs at the high school level. They gave a lot of cushion on the outside in the first game, which allowed Nixa room to run and 27 points should be enough to win most games for that Nixa defense. It’ll be interesting to see if the Tigers again play that deep of the ball, regardless, Powell and Ward, as well as seniors Kyle Singley and Nic Diagh will be tested through the air and on the ground.
Class 5 – District 4: Belton (8-3) at Carthage (10-1)
Matchup to Watch: Alex Derryberry vs. Belton defense – Keith Guest II did an incredible job of running Carthage when Derryberry went out with a broken foot, but now that he’s back, the Tigers have a legitimate shot to be Class 5 state champions. Belton is explosive offensively, but defensively they’re not afraid to let you score with them and how they defend Derryberry will decide how long they hang in the game. This clip tells you all you need to know about Derryberry; he takes what he is given. If Belton loads the box trying to stop Trey Collins and the run game, then Carthage will spread it out and pick them apart. If Belton spreads out then Carthage gashes with the run. You can’t play zone because he’s accurate enough and has enough targets to find holes and you can’t play man because then you allow him more running lanes. Basically, you need a good gameplan and exception athletes to slow him down (see Webb City) and it remains to be seen if Belton as either or both.
VIDEO: In the Zone – District Championship Preview
Class 4 – District 5: West Plains (10-1) at Webb City (11-0)
Matchup to Watch: Steve Ary vs. John Roderique – This probably isn’t fair to Coach Ary, but unfortunately when you play Webb City it’s bigger than any game you’ll coach in all year. Ary not only has to figure out how to stop Webb and counter what they’ll do, but he also has to coach against the Webb City mystique. I’ve said it before, but you’re not only trying to beat the 2015 Webb City Cardinals, but you have to stop Grant Wistrom, Brayden Drake, Phoenix Johnson and KiAnte Hardin; you’re playing their entire legacy. That was on full display last Friday night. In what was the most Carl Junction way ever to lose a game, fumbling with 2:33 on the clock and having Webb City score a game-winning touchdown with 50 seconds remaining. Carl Junction did everything right to win the game, forced three turnovers and didn’t allow many big plays. But, Webb City just always believes and it has been there countless times, these kids have grown up watching teams win state championships and prevail in big games. The team that ends Webb’s run will have to be a group that A) doesn’t care about seeing “Webb City” on the front of a jersey and B) is hungry for some respect; meet the Zizzers. Call it what you want, but West Plains plays a physical, hard-nosed brand of football. They’re going to hit you hard and they’re not going to apologize for it. This program spent nearly a decade being a doormat in the Ozark Conference and this group of seniors has taken it upon itself to change the culture of West Plains Football. Keep in mind four years ago West Plains went winless and this game was a 1/8 matchup. The Zizzers are playing with house money, if they lose it’s because they’re supposed to and if they win then it’ll be a Disney movie in five years called “Remember the Zizzers”. There isn’t a more intriguing game in the Ozarks, which is why it’ll be KY3’s feature game. You have a pair of D-1 linemen in Trystan Castillio (Webb City-Mizzou) and Jett Sexton (West Plains-Uncommitted), a stable of talented running backs on both sides and two quarterbacks in Sam Hall and Tyson Roderique that are winners. Hall (19-4 in the last two years) is about as savvy as a quarterback as you’ll find (1,404 yards, 17 TDs, 4 INTs) and Roderique (23-0) was born, literally, to run his dad’s offense. The biggest key might be Roderique’s health. Webb City has struggled when he’s missed time this year and regardless of if he plays, it won’t be at 100%. Can Ary keep his team in the moment and can Roderique get a team battling some injuries and coming off of an emotional win refocused and ready to play?
Class 3 – District 4: Aurora (7-4) at Reeds Spring (10-1)
Matchup to Watch: Offense vs. Offense – I say this because both teams are going up against two of the best defenses they’ve seen all season. Take away the Bolivar game and Reeds Spring has given up 90 points in 10 games with four shutouts, while Aurora has held seven of its last eight opponents to 14 points or less with the exception being Lamar. Both defenses can clearly play. So, can the Reeds Spring offensive line somehow mitigate the impact of Mason Husmann and can Aurora use the passing game to loosen up the box are the two big questions. The Wolves really haven’t seen a front they couldn’t run it against and Nick Haddock, who wears No. 15, runs the football with a Tim Tebow-like mentality. Colton Pomeroy and Korey Robinette complement each other perfect in the backfield, especially when Robinette finds a seam and uses that track speed to break a big run. Tanner Schnelle (113 tackles) and Nate Basham (88 tackles) are cats that were made to lineup and play Big 8 football; they love stuffing the run. Having a D-1 prospect on the line in Husmann (103 tackles, 25 tackles for loss) allows them to get free runs to the ball. On the flip side, Aurora can run the ball like a typical Big 8 team, but Kale Kilgo has changed the program by opening up the playbook and letting Peyton Evans throw the pigskin around. He’s completing nearly 73% of his passes, throwing for 1,727 yards and 17 TDs and his two favorite targets, Skylar Cahill (45-744-7) and Billy Meredith (34-583-6) are big play threats. Drives should be tough to sustain against either defense so big plays are even more crucial in this game.
Class 3 – District 3: Salem (6-5) at Mountain Grove (9-2)
Matchup to Watch: Adjustments – Sounds simple, right? Mountain Grove won a 20-14 meeting during the regular season, rushing for 258 yards as a team. Neither offense really got going with both teams finishing with less than 300 total yards. Which coach can make the necessary adjustment to put points on the board will be the biggest key. We know both teams are going to lineup and run the football. Salem had some success through the air the first time around, which could be key considering the Tigers have run the ball extremely effectively in their last three games, which should help set up some play-action opportunities. Salem couldn’t stop Trystan Short or Carter Otwell in the first match and the fact that the running back-quarterback duo have combined for nearly 2,500 yards this season suggests that stopping them is easier said than done. Mountain Grove is 9-0 when it rushes for at least 200 yards. Salem has won four of six and created 10 turnovers during that time.
Class 2 – District 4: Summit Christian (10-1) at Lamar (11-0)
I’m not going to insult your intelligence, we are all adults here. Summit Christian is 10-1 and its loss was a 55-18 shelling at the hands of Skyline. Now, Lamar smoked Carl Junction, which almost upset Webb City, which is probably the best team in Class 4. Sam Huckabee is a stud for SC (2,359 passing yards, 26 TDs), but he’s never seen anything like this Lamar defense. Luke Hardman is one of the best defensive backs in the Ozarks and the Lamar secondary is incredible overall, but it’ll be tough to create mismatches against linebackers like Jed Stahl and Tanner Phipps who are also great in space. If it’s not a turbo clock by halftime then it’s a moral victory for Summit. Lamar folks, I'm sorry we don't talk about the Tigers more, but there's not really much to say. They're just better than every else.
Class 2 – District 3: Fair Grove (8-3) at MV-BT/Liberty (11-0)
Matchup to Watch: MV-BT/Liberty skill guys vs. Fair Grove skill guys – Honestly, I think Fair Grove can hang in the trenches; the big question is how they handle Liberty’s speed. Skyline is a comparable comparison to Liberty in terms of depth at the skill positions and speed and Fair Grove struggled. That was back in August and since then FG has been impressive on both sides of the ball, especially last week in putting the clamps on Diamond. But this Liberty team is just a different breed; 11-0 with a total margin of 409 points. They’ve been elite on both sides of the ball with elite players leading both units in senior linebacker Cale Cornman (146 tackles, 30 tackles for loss) and junior quarterback Josh Pruett (2,889 total yards, 53 TDs). Pruett has a ton of weapons, it’ll be imperative for Fair Grove to be well schooled in coverages or this one could get out of hand.
Class 1 – District 4: Lincoln (11-0) at Skyline (10-0)
I don’t really know what to say about this one because I haven’t seen Lincoln and finding film on them is like trying to find 10 legitimate Kansas City Royals fans. Kidding (kind of). What we do know is that Lincoln has been stingy defensively; the Cardinals have allowed 129 points all year and have five shutouts. But, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Lincoln hasn’t seen anyone like Skyline year. I’ve talked about the skills guys all year (they’re REALLY good) but the reason the Tigers are undefeated and have an opportunity to make a run to St. Louis is because of their play on the offensive and defensive lines. Coming into the season I thought those two units would struggle against good teams and that really hasn’t been the case at all. Lincoln and Skyline do have a pair of common opponents in Osceola and Cole Camp. Lincoln beat Osecola 50-15 while Skyline beat them 55-7. Lincoln beat Cole Camp 32-8 while Skyline beat them 48-6. Comparing scores means nothing, but it’s the only frame of reference we have for these two.
Class 1 – District 2: Marionville (10-1) at Thayer (9-1)
Matchup to Watch: Thayer defense vs. Marionville offense – Finding video of the Bobcats is nearly impossible, but the numbers don’t lie; Thayer’s defense is elite. Ava is the only team to score 20 against Thayer and even in their lone loss they held an explosive MV-BT/Liberty team to 19 points. Hayti has scored 40-plus five times this year and Thayer held them to six. Same story for Mountain Grove, who managed just 14 points against Thayer; Grove rushed for a season-low 73 yards and 2.2 yards per carry. But, this will be the best passing attack Thayer will have seen. Marionville started the season as a smashmouth offense and has morphed into one that has no problem going four or five wide and airing it out. Because senior quarterback Jacob LaSalle runs like a battering ram, the Comets don’t really lose anything. In fact, it just sets up mismatches because LaSalle running against a box with six defenders in it will always be in Marionville’s favor. Throw in trying to stop Tanner Wright and Lathan Kerans on the outside and that job is even tougher. Thayer’s ability to counter Marionville’s versatility will be the key to the game.
