Each week the O-Zone staff will rank the top 10 area football teams based on dominance by class, aka how they stack up pound-for-pound with the other schools in their respective class.
District standings after week 6
Monday Rewind: The Eagles continue to fly
O-Zone Radio Show Podcast
(Class, record, previous ranking in parenthesis)
1. Lamar (C2, 5-0, 1) – The Tigers remained perfect with a 56-0 win over McDonald County Friday night…blah blah blah. Now for the real story, the Brotherhood puts its perfect season on the line Saturday when they travel to St. Genevieve Valle Catholic. This isn’t just any non-conference matchup, it pits the five-time consecutive Class 2 state champs against the three-time consecutive Class 1 state champ Warriors; the top teams in their respective classes this season. For what it’s worth, Lamar is outscoring opponents 52 to 6.8 on average. Valle is winning by an average margin of 53.6 to 13.8. If you ask me, Lamar wins this game by multiple touchdowns and snaps Valle’s nation-best 51-game winning streak, but I can certainly understand why the game is billed as one of the best of the year.
2. MV-BT/Liberty (C2, 6-0, 2) – It was the Eagles’ biggest test this season, and they passed with flying colors! Liberty’s 33-20 Homecoming win over Mtn Grove put them in the driver’s seat for the SCA title, district top seed and home-field advantage throughout districts. Despite feeling ill prior to the game, senior quarterback Josh Pruett accounted for all five touchdowns and 347 total yards. The Eagles’ three remaining opponents have a combined 5-13 record, so it’s a pretty safe bet “Eagle Nation” is looking at a 9-0 regular season record.
3. Monett (C3, 5-1, 3) – Two things we know for sure after Friday’s annual “Barry County Brawl”; the Cassville Wildcats are good and the Monett Cubs are a little better. Trailing by 13 in the 3rd quarter, the Cubs fought back to take a one point lead and then hold off Cassville for their fifth win in six games this season. The win leapfrogs the Cubs past Cassville in the district standings, but there’s still almost no chance they catch top seed Reeds Spring unless the Wolves majorly slip up.
4. Glendale (C5, 6-0, 6) – The Falcons continue to soar to new heights. Apologies for the cheesy pun, but it truly is one of the best stories of the year. Thursday’s 55-28 win at Parkview vaulted the Falcons to number three in the latest Missouri Media Rankings and further solidified their district top seed status. Alex Huston’s 3,078 yards continue to lead the nation by over 800 yards! As impressive as that is, his touchdown to interception ratio of 7.2 to 1 (36 TD, 5 Int) is even better. Oh by the way, senior linebacker Kyle Doran leads the nation in tackles (126) according to MaxPreps.
5. Lincoln (C1, 6-0, 7) – The Cardinals cruised to 6-0 with a 58-18 win over Tipton Friday night. Derek Stephens was the BMOC with 215 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries. The good times will most certainly keep on rolling this Friday as the Cards welcome 1-4 Slater to town.
6. Mtn Grove (C2, 5-1, 4) – Tough loss for the Panthers, but they’ll likely get another crack at Liberty in districts. Three first half turnovers proved costly in the 33-20 loss. MG will look to rebound this week as they host 4-2 Salem, who has struggled of late.
7. Kickapoo (C6, 5-1, 10) – The Chiefs played their second consecutive Thursday night game last week, but this one went much better as they throttled Hillcrest 56-8 on Homecoming night. Maverick McGee racked up 108 yards on the ground, but the play of the night came on Corey Dye’s diving one-handed touchdown catch in the first half. Check it out here.
8. Fair Grove (C2, 6-0, 8) – Close call, but the Eagles survive a scare from Strafford. The Indians are young but talented and it showed in Friday night’s 28-20 loss at Fair Grove. Cloyd and Fodge led the charge with over 300 total yards and three touchdowns. It’s back on the Mid-Lakes road this week as they travel to Marionville.
9. Carthage (C5, 5-1, NR) – Perhaps I wrote the Tigers off a little early after their 28-14 season-opening loss at Ozark. Since that time, Coach Guidie’s blue cats have reeled off five straight wins, including signature victories over Webb City and a 28-21 win over Carl Junction last week. That means they beat the number 1 and number 2 ranked Class 4 teams (at the time) this season. Things get no easier this week as they host Nixa in what will likely decide the COC Large title.
10. Webb City (C4, 4-2, NR) – Similar to Carthage, perhaps Webb City isn’t as “down” as we originally thought. Since those back to back losses to Carl Junction and Carthage to start the season the Cardinals have won four straight, including Friday’s convincing 34-10 win at Nixa. If the Cards can hang on to the ball they’re tough to beat and appear to only be getting better each week.
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: Carl Junction (C4, 4-2), Cassville (C3, 4-2), Reeds Spring (C3, 5-1), Nixa (C5, 5-1), Thayer (C1, 4-2), Skyline (C1, 3-1), Neosho (C5, 4-2)
