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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 5 FOOTBALL REWIND – CLICK HERE
CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS – CLICK HERE
DISTRICT FOOTBALL STANDINGS – CLICK HERE
1. Lamar (C2 – 5-0)
Another week, another dominant victory. Lamar’s defense got back to form after yielding 22 points to Nevada in Week 4 by holding Cassville to just 3 points in Week 5. The Tigers rolled to a 35-3 win to remain unbeaten and at No. 1 in Class 2.
2. Joplin (C6 – 5-0)
Joplin took care of business against winless Willard in a 56-7 victory. The Eagle defense has yielded just 20 total points over the past three weeks. Always Wright threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns on 14-for-17 passing while rushing four times for 94 yards and three more touchdowns. Joplin now has a road game against Republic ahead of a huge showdown with Carthage in Week 7.
3. West Plains (C4 – 5-0)
There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Connor Lair, so just watch the first play in the video above. That is one way to set a tone for a game. West Plains dispatched Kickapoo with a 40-10 victory setting up a showdown with Lebanon this week for control of the Ozark Conference. Also, congratulations to Lair who committed to Southern Illinois University on Monday.
4. Carthage (C5 – 5-0)
Carthage tallied 418 total yards of offense in a 41-14 road win over Branson in Week 6. The Tigers rushed for 318 of those yards. The Tigers host winless Willard this week ahead of what will be the biggest game in the state when the Tigers travel to face Joplin in Week 7 for control of the COC.
5. Marionville (C1 – 5-0)
Stop me if you have heard this before, but Marionville rode a dominant defense to a shutout victory on Friday. Marionville beat Diamond 44-0 to post a fourth consecutive shutout. The Comets have still yielded just eight points on the season, which came against Stockton in the first game. Marionville held Diamond to just 107 yards of total offense while tallying up 344 yards of total offense. Wil Carlton completed five passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns. Wyley Brown caught four of those passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Dakota Wilson carried the ball 17 times for 147 yards and three touchdowns.
6. Nixa (C6 – 4-1)
Nixa went on the road for a Saturday night game and spoiled Neosho’s homecoming with a 54-20 win. Neosho scored the first touchdown of the game before Nixa scored 47 points unanswered. Connor Knatcal completed 14 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns. Spencer Ward carried the ball 22 times for 128 yards and three touchdowns. As a team, Nixa had 479 yards of total offense. Nixa hosts Christian County rival Ozark this week.
7. Fair Grove (C2 – 5-0)
It was a record-setting night for Fair Grove quarterback Kody Stacye in the Eagles’ 56-28 win over Stockton. Stacye threw for three touchdowns to break the Fair Grove record for career touchdown passes. He has thrown for 13 touchdowns this year and 39 in 17 career games. He broke the record set by Jayden Kensinger. The Eagles will look to remain unbeaten with a home game against Strafford this week.
8. Lebanon (C5 – 5-0)
It wasn’t easy, but Lebanon went on the road and remained unbeaten with a 31-28 win over previously unbeaten Glendale. Quinton Doughty hit a 33-yard field goal as time expired to give the Yellowjackets the three-point win. Cade Muscia carried the ball 47(!) times for 209 yards and three touchdowns in the win. This week, the Yellowjackets welcome in Class 4 No. 2 West Plains with control of the Ozark Conference on the line.
9. Ava (C2 – 5-0)
Ava rolled by Salem with a 45-6 win on Friday. The Bears used a balanced rushing attack to get the job done with six players carrying the ball 25 times for 189 yards and five touchdowns. Four players combined for the five touchdowns and had between 25 and 64 yards rushing. Ava travels to Houston this week before a key Week 7 matchup with Thayer that will likely decide the SCA champion.
10. Webb City (C5 – 3-2)
Webb City bounced back from its second loss of the season with a 41-6 win over rival Carl Junction. Cade Wilson did the heavy lifting on offense with 13 carries for 144 yards and four touchdowns. The defense pulled down three interceptions in the game. Webb City hosts Branson ahead of a road trip to face Nixa in Week 7.
