Before I go any further, THESE ARE NOT A HEAD-TO-HEAD RANKING, BUT A RANKING OF DOMINANCE BY CLASS. I am not saying I think the Class 1 schools on this list could beat all the Class 4-6 teams ranked below them or not ranked.
STATE FOOTBALL RANKINGS – CLICK HERE
WEEK 4 FOOTBALL REWIND – CLICK HERE
1. Lamar (C2 – 4-0)
Lamar handed its opponent its first loss of the season for the fourth time in four weeks last Friday. This time it was a win over rival Nevada by a 48-22 margin. The Tiger defense held down an explosive Nevada offense that came into the game averaging 50.7 points per game. The schedule softens for Lamar for the rest of the season with four of the next five opponents on the schedule currently sporting one win or none.
2. Joplin (C6 – 4-0)
Joplin rolled by Carl Junction in a 44-6 win over the Bulldogs on Friday. The Eagle defense was strong for the second consecutive week after holding Ozark to just seven points in Week 3. That defense had five tackles for a loss, two interceptions and a sack in the win. Always Wright threw for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing 6 time for 45 yards and 2 more touchdowns. Quin Renfro led the ground attack with 16 carries for 135 yards. Willard (0-4) comes to Joplin this week.
3. West Plains (C4 – 4-0)
West Plains went on the road and picked up a dominant 53-21 win over Camdenton. The Zizzer defense held a Camdenton offense averaging 369 yards per game through three weeks to just 222 total yards of offense. The defense lived in the backfield with 6.5 total sacks led by Aedyn Holt’s two sacks. He also led the team in total tackles with 16. Offensively, it was the Dagen Kenslow and Connor Lair show. Kenslow rushed for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns on 20 carries. Lair chipped in 12 carries for 169 yards. The Zizzers host Kickapoo this week before a huge road trip to Lebanon in Week 6.
4. Carthage (C5 – 4-0)
Carthage picked up one of the most impressive Week 4 wins in the state with a 42-14 win over Webb City. Stop me if I have said this before, but Luke Gall was a force of nature in the win. He carried the ball 23 times for 233 yards and 4 touchdowns. Through four games, Gall has 63 carries for 847 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is on pace for 1,905 rushing yards in the regular season alone. The Tiger defense did what it needed to by controlling the Webb City run game. In Webb City’s first three games, the Cardinals averaged 337 rushing yards. On Friday, Carthage held Webb City to 179 rushing yards. Carthage travels to face Branson (2-2) this week.
5. Marionville (C1 – 4-0)
Marionville posted a third consecutive shutout in a 48-0 win over Class 5 Central on Friday. The Comets have outscored their opponents by a 146-8 margin through four weeks. No other area team has allowed fewer than 32 points. Wil Carlton led the way against Central with 192 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air and another 54 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. Dakota Wilson carried the ball 16 times for 127 yards and 3 touchdowns. Marionville host Diamond (3-1) this week.
6. Nixa (C6 – 3-1)
Nixa held off an upset-minded Republic team in a 21-10 win on Friday. Sophomore Spencer Ward exploded for 154 yards on just 6 carries in the victory. The Eagles travel to face winless Neosho on Saturday before hosting Christian County rival Ozark in Week Six.
7. Fair Grove (C2 – 4-0)
Fair Grove’s high-powered offense went to a new level with a 63-point explosion against Forsyth in a 63-13 win over the Panthers. The Eagle offense is averaging 44.5 points per game through four weeks and sits at No. 2 in the Class 2 state rankings. Fair Grove travels to face now former Mid-Lakes Conference rival Stockton on Friday.
8. Lebanon (C5 – 4-0)
The Lebanon rushing attack had its best game of the season in a 58-20 win over Waynesville with 508 yards on the ground. The Yellowjackets were led by Nathan Bartel (12 carries, 202 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Cade Muscia (19 carries, 118 yards, 2 touchdowns). On the season, Lebanon has rushed for 1,523 yards for an average of 380.75 yards per game on the ground. This week, Lebanon travels down to face undefeated Glendale in a clash of styles.
9. Ava (C2 – 4-0)
Ava handled Liberty 59-24 in Week 4 to remain unbeaten. The Bears got a breakout performance from freshman Hunter Adams who rushed for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns on Friday. Spencer Skyles added in 154 rushing yards and three touchdowns of his own. The Bears host winless Salem this week.
10. Webb City (C5 – 2-2)
Webb City never got things going against Carthage in a 42-14 loss. The Tigers outscored Webb City 21-0 in the first quarter to take full control of the game. Webb City came into the game against Carthage averaging 337.7 yards per game on the ground with no fewer than 5 rushing touchdowns in any of those three games. On Friday, Webb City managed just 179 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Webb City will look to bounce back with a road trip to face Carl Junction (2-2) this week.
