Ozarks Sports Zone ranks the top teams in Southwest Missouri based on dominance by class, essentially the pound-for-pound comparison of those teams compared to the best in the state. Rankings are sponsored by CoxHealth.
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1. Lamar (C2, 6-0, 1) – Okay, make it 41 straight for the Brotherhood. The Class 2 top-ranked Tigers left little doubt in a 55-7 win over Class 1 top-ranked Valle Catholic Saturday afternoon. Lamar took a tough blow two weeks ago with the loss of starting quarterback Stuart McKarus to a knee injury. But as they are prone to do (next man up), the Tigers didn’t skip a beat with sophomore Donte Stahl. Maybe the most impressive part continues to be the suffocating defense that has now surrendered a whopping 21 points this season. Mt. Vernon, come on down, you’re the next contestant on Lamar’s dynasty.
2. Webb City (C4, 7-0, 2) – This isn’t Webb City’s most dominant team, but the results aren’t far off. Durand Henderson rushed for 164 yards on just 16 carries in Friday’s 41-10 payback win at Ozark. The defense held the Tigers to just 130 total yards of offense. Only Neosho and Branson stand in the way of an undefeated regular season.
3. Carl Junction (C4, 6-1, 3) – At first glance, CJ’s 42-7 win at Willard was just another walk in the park. But take a closer look and the Bulldogs only led 7-0 at the half thanks to a Ray Weston 2nd quarter score. Coach Buckmaster’s crew got things cleaned up in the locker room and found pay dirt three times early in the 3rd quarter. The Bulldogs step out of conference this week for a trip to Pittsburg, KS.
4. Ava (C2, 7-0, 4) – The Bears are now just two wins away from an undefeated regular season and their first outright South Central Association championship since 1986. The Class 2 4th ranked Bears beat Class 1 8th ranked Thayer 37-13, but needed 31 unanswered points, 24 of which came in the 2nd half, to do it. Former Glendale and offensive lineman Riley Shantz may have found his calling as a coach. The first-year assistant reportedly lit into the team at halftime. It worked.
5. Pierce City (C1, 7-0, 5) – Welcome to varsity football Forsyth. The Eagles from Pierce City celebrated homecoming with a 63-12 win over the upstart Panthers. Coach Hocker’s ensemble of stars shined bright in the blowout victory, becoming the third state-ranked team to beat Forsyth this season. Next up, another non-con tilt at the Eagles Nest with El Dorado Springs before a week 9 showdown at undefeated Sarcoxie.
6. Seneca (C3, 7-0, 6) – After going just 3-7 last year the Indians continued their turnaround season with a 33-14 win over Cassville. To put in perspective how much better this year’s team is, consider last year Seneca lost in this same game by a final of 59-26. Seneca was the 7-seed in districts last year. They’ve all but locked up the top seed this season, which is key for a district that includes Reeds Spring, Mt Vernon, Cassville and hard charging Aurora.
7. Catholic (C3, 6-1, 9) – In a month that the 1997 state champion Fightin’ Irish football team will be honored by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, the 2017 edition is thinking title of their own. Coach Hancock’s club took its fifth straight victory Friday night, 35-0 over COC Small foe Hollister. During that stretch the Irish have won each game by double digits, extending their district lead over Eldon to nearly five points. That week 9 trip to Reeds Spring is surely on the minds of this team, but they need not overlook district and conference foe Rogersville this week, which also happens to be senior night at Swisshelm Field.
8. Sarcoxie (C1, 7-0, NR) – Welcome to the party Sarcoxie! The Bears have certainly flown under the radar to this point, but there was no overlooking them anymore after Friday’s 36-15 win at Lockwood. Reigning SRVC Offensive Player of the Year Chris Comerford didn’t have his biggest night, but he came through when it mattered most with a 22-yard 4th quarter touchdown scamper to salt away win number seven. This week it’s at Forsyth, but next week is the one everyone’s been waiting for. The Bears host Pierce City in what figures to be a winner-take-all game for the SRVC title and district top seed, which PC is currently leading by .04 of a point.
9. Thayer (C1, 5-2, 7) – Would you rather have a cupcake schedule, cruise to an undefeated season, healthy but untested and then hit a road block in the playoffs or play up nearly every week against a murderers row of state ranked opponents, take your lumps, but be battle-tested for districts? Thayer’s going with option two. The Class 1 8th ranked Bobcats fell 37-13 at Class 2 4th ranked Ava Friday night; their second loss to a state ranked opponent this season. The score is misleading however as the Bobcats actually led 13-7 shortly before halftime. As of right now, the Bobcats are third in the district standings behind Pierce City and Sarcoxie. That’s a couple long bus rides if things don’t change in the next two weeks.
10. Lincoln (C1, 7-0, 10) – Another week, another blowout victory for the Cardinals. Dominic Simmons rushed for an astounding 280 yards and four touchdowns on just 9 carries in Lincoln’s 49-6 win over Slater. Simmons added a sack and four tackles in the win. You might’ve thought this team would take a step back after losing last year’s talented senior class, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Knocking on the Door: Camdenton (C4, 6-1, NR), Greenfield (8-man, 6-1, NR), West Plains (C4, 5-2, NR), Lockwood (C1, 5-2, NR), Aurora (C3, 4-3, NR), Mt Vernon (C3, 5-2, 8), Carthage (C5, 4-3, NR), Joplin (C6, 6-1, NR), Cassville (C3, 4-3, NR), Mtn Grove (C2, 4-3, NR)
