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.
DISTRICT FOOTBALL PRIMERS
Class 1 – Click Here
Class 2 – Click Here
Class 3 – Click Here
Class 4 – Click Here
Class 5-6 – Click Here
DISTRICT FOOTBALL BRACKETS – Click Here
- Lamar (C2, 8-0, 1) – Make it 43 straight wins! The Tigers captured a third straight undefeated Big 8 title and go into the playoffs as the favorite to win their 7th straight state championship. Notice I didn’t say heavy favorite. Yes, the Brotherhood has faced some stiff playoff competition in the past years (MV-BT/Liberty), but this year’s Trinity Catholic team from St. Louis is likely the best. The sad part is they are on the same side of the bracket, so would meet in the Nov. 17 semifinals rather than the Nov. 24 Show-Me Bowl in Columbia. Either way, great game.
- Webb City (C4, 9-0, 2) – COC Large champs, district top seed and poised to get back atop the podium at state; Cardinals Nation is pumped for a return to glory. This group has some obvious stars, but once again it’s that ensemble cast that gets it done for Coach Rod’s crew. They’ve been more than okay on offense, but it’s their opportunistic defense that should make the difference in the playoffs. Their ability to force turnovers and keep opponents out of the end zone has been almost unmatched statewide. It’s not a guarantee, but I fully expect Webb City to bring home the 2017 Class 4 state title.
- Carl Junction (C4, 8-1, 3) – If Webb City wasn’t a thing we’d be talking about the Bulldogs steamrolling to a state title. CJ was the only school to put up even a fight against Webb and that was still a two touchdown game. Gotta love that high-powered attack led by junior running back Rayquion Weston and quarterback Joe Kennedy, but it’s the defense that has quietly been even better; not allowing more than a touchdown to anyone but Webb City. Can’t wait to see the CJ vs. Webb City rematch in the district championship Nov. 3.
- Ava (C2, 9-0, 4) – It’s not that we didn’t expect Ava to win the SCA, but I think everyone’s a little surprised how dominant they were in doing it. The Bears steamrolled through the regular season on their way to the school’s first outright SCA title, doing it with that patented small-town, hard-nosed, gritty, gutty football. Lamar awaits in the quarterfinals, but don’t look past several landmines in districts (MV-BT/Liberty, Mtn Grove and Strafford), any which of who could get hot and steal this thing from the Bears.
- Pierce City (C1, 9-0, 5) – I was excited about this team late last season when you realized how much of that talented group was coming back. They certainly didn’t disappoint this season, running the table including impressive wins over Lockwood and Sarcoxie. The Eagles are the favorite to win their district, but will have to prove the SRVC’s worth with potential matchups against Mid-Lakes foes Marionville or Ash Grove, SCA contender Thayer or a rematch against Sarcoxie, who you can bet is chomping at the big for some payback.
- Seneca (C3, 8-1, 6) – Well, so much for beating Lamar. The Indians took their medicine Friday, but can now look forward to what really matters. Districts. The Indians were supposed to be much-improved this season, but skipped the building year and went straight to great. The even better news is that Class 3 is wide open. Remember, it was Seneca who lost three games during the regular season in 2013 before making a run to the state championship game. As good as this team was all year, now they have to prove it all over again with the Big 8 contenders (Aurora, Mt Vernon, Cassville) and COC Small champ Reeds Spring lurking.
- Greenfield (8-man, 8-1, NR) – I’m throwing the Wildcats a bone because they have been nothing short of dominant this season with the lone exception of the Sacred Heart (ranked 2nd in 8-man) game. By all rights, the Wildcats are a good Class 1 team, but had a couple small classes that forced them into 8-man. They’ve certainly taken advantage of that opportunity and have a shot at making it to Plaster Stadium for the state championship. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) they’ll have to get past Sacred Heart in the district championship to get there.
- Carthage (C5, 6-3, NR) – This hasn’t been a banner year for Class 5 teams in the Ozarks, but it’s pretty safe to say Carthage has risen to the top. With the exception of a season-opening loss to Ozark and blowout losses to Webb City and Carl Junction, the Tigers have been outstanding. No one in their district came close. They’re talented, well-coached and battle-tested. If they can get hot, don’t be surprised to see this group in the final four. Smith-Cotton and Battle are formidable foes in a potential quarterfinal matchup, but are beatable.
- Reeds Spring (C3, 7-2, NR) – The Wolves lulled us to sleep with back-to-back double digit season-opening losses to Mt Vernon and Cassville. Well, don’t look now but the Wolves are back! They ripped off seven straight wins to claim their first (and last) COC Small title, routing front-runner Catholic in the season finale Friday. The Wolves will be a slight underdog in districts with Seneca taking the top seed, but don’t count them out. This group has a chip on their shoulder after coming so close in recent years. Remember, Monett was the two-seed in districts last year and look how that turned out…
- Lincoln (C1, 9-0, 10) – I got to see the Cardinals in the quarterfinals last year and the regular season finale this year. While I don’t think this team is as deep as last year, I do see the star power that could propel them to another deep playoff run. All-time leading rusher Derek Stephens leads the team on both sides of the ball with fellow senior Dominic Simmons, sophomore dual-threat quarterback Jackson Beaman and sophomore Bo Kroenke chipping in all over the field. You could say their 9-0 record is the product of an easy schedule, and maybe it is, but that’s no different than district foe Crest Ridge (8-1) and potential quarterfinal matchup Adrian (8-1). So the Cardinals are saying why not us?
Knocking on the Door: Sarcoxie (C1, 8-1, 8), Camdenton (C4, 7-2, NR), West Plains (C4, 7-2, NR), Joplin (C6, 8-1, NR), Catholic (C3, 7-2, 7), Thayer (C1, 6-3, 9), Lockwood (C1, 7-2, NR), Cassville (C3, 6-3, NR), Aurora (C3, 5-4, NR), Mt Vernon (C3, 5-4, NR), Strafford (C2, 7-2, NR)
