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The O-Zone Football Power rankings will be released on every week throughout the football season. Rankings are a measurement of dominance within class and not a strictly head-to-head comparison. Coaches are encouraged to send any information, including stats, milestones and records to Chris Parker (cparker@ky3.com). See the top plays of the week in the video above.
STATEWIDE FOOTBALL RANKINGS – CLICK HERE
DISTRICT FOOTBALL STANDINGS – CLICK HERE
1. Lamar (6-0 – LW: 1)
Stop me if you have heard this before. Lamar posted a dominant shutout victory on Friday. This time East Newton was the victim with the Tigers beating the Patriots 65-0. The win marked the 39th consecutive home victory for the Tigers dating back to 2011 when the streak started with, you guessed it, a win over East Newton. This is significant because, according to the MSHSAA record book, the record for most consecutive home wins is 39 held by Hardin-Central from 1990-97. One note on this record, Lamar had to move its home district game against Warsaw to Pittsburg State University back in 2011. According to Jason West at MSHSAA, that game still counts as a home win for record purposes. Lamar travels to McDonald County this week.
2. Webb City (6-0 – LW: 2)
Webb City got a streak of four games against eastern COC foes started with a 41-0 win over Willard on Friday. The Cardinals were balanced in the victory with eight different players getting carries led by Durand Henderson’s 74 yards on six carries that he took for two touchdowns. The versatile Alex Gaskill showed off another facet to his game by completing one pass for 65 yards and a touchdown. Jacob Monroe was on the receiving end of that score. Webb City hosts Republic this Friday.
3. West Plains (6-0 – LW: 3)
Another Friday, another easy victory for the Zizzers. This time West Plains beat Parkview 49-14 to move to 6-0. Running back Brayden Lidgard eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season as he took 15 carries for 184 yards and three touchdowns against the Vikings. Connor Rackley was efficient by completing five passes on eight attempts for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Lidgard scored one of those touchdowns on a 73-yard reception. Allen Marcak caught the other two touchdowns for 60 total yards. Defensively, the Zizzers allowed Parkview running back Blake Delacruz just 91 yards on the ground. It was the first time that he has been held below 100 yards since Week 8 of the 2016 season against, you guessed it, West Plains. That was a streak of 17 consecutive games of at least 100 yards rushing for the Parkview running back.
4. Cassville (6-0 – LW: 4)
Cassville remained unbeaten with a 37-6 win over McDonald County. Running back Anthony Tolbert tallied up 163 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. The Wildcats face one win Nevada this week before a tough two-game finish at Reeds Spring and at home against Lamar.
5. Carthage (5-1 – LW: 5)
Carthage bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 42-7 win over Branson. Patrick Carlton was magnificent at quarterback with 219 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns. The Wildcats finish up their regular season schedule against teams with a combined 5-13 record.
6. Fair Grove (6-0– LW: 6)
Fair Grove’s game with Strafford in Week 6 was the O-Zone Game of the Week and it lived up to the designation with the Eagles winning the game 17-14. Quarterback Rhett Hill finished with 138 yards passing and another 31 on the ground. Elijah Young accounted for another 126 yards from scrimmage. The Eagles have two games remaining on their regular season schedule at Butler and at home against Buffalo.
7. Pierce City (6-0 – LW: 7)
The Eagles posted a third straight shutout in a 26-0 victory over Marionville. Pierce City remained at No. 7 in the Class 1 state rankings this week. A visit to face St. Michael the Archangel is on tap this week before facing Miller in a Southwest Conference showdown in Week 8.
8. Catholic (5-1 – LW: 8)
Catholic was dominant in a 42-7 win over Aurora in Week 6. Tyson Riley rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another score. The Irish tallied up 408 total yards on the ground. The Irish travel to face traditional COC rival Rogersville this week, as the host is still seeking its first win of the season.
9. Reeds Spring (5-1 – LW: 9)
The Wolves took down a much improved Hollister team 47-27 in Week 6 in a bounce-back win after suffering their first loss in Week 5. Reeds Spring stays at No. 10 in the state rankings this week ahead of a home game with Marshfield in Week 7. The Blue Jays are 4-2 with their only losses coming at the hands of Mt. Vernon and Reeds Spring.
10. Joplin (4-2 – LW: 10)
Joplin got a push from Neosho in Week 6. The game was stuck in a scoreless tie at the half, but the Eagles, and specifically Zach Westmoreland, would pull away for a 20-6 win. Westmoreland scored two touchdowns on the ground while icing the game with a pick six late in the fourth to account for all of Joplin’s scoring. Joplin hosts district foe Ozark (1-5) this week.
Knocking on the door: Strafford, Mt. Vernon, Camdenton, Ava, Rolla
