Joboo's Week 1 Picks

My first article back and I already have a conundrum.  To say 'Hello', do I go with a Neil Diamond reference or Adele?  But why should I limit myself to those when I can go with the Beatles, or Mary J. Blige, or Pink Floyd, Oasis, Lionel Richie, etc., etc.  Instead, I'll just say it's nice to be back, and it's nice to have football back even if it does seem like we should still be at the lake on Friday night instead of the football field.

Even if it is hotter than I like it, most things are still as they should be in week 1.  Some teams are expected to start championship seasons, some are going to struggle.  Some teams we think are good are going to be disappointing, while others are going to surprise us.  And while we think we know how this is going to go, we are really just making educated guesses.

It's week 1 and conference title chances are in danger, rivalries are being rejoined, and my game of the week is a rematch of a great district semifinal from last year.

Game of the Week

• Webb City at Carl Junction - 2 minutes and 33 seconds.  That's all that separated the Bulldogs from a win over Webb City in last year's district semifinals.   But it was not to be.  Now Carl Junction seems to have the upper hand as seven defensive starters return led by DL Zeke Wall and LB Quincy Weston.  The CJ offense has new QB Keaton Tober at the helm but new feature RB Rayquion Weston is a name to know going into the season.  For Webb City, the Cardinals reload again after losing 6 all-state players.  Senior Hunter Vanlue should take over as the lead RB but coach Roderique has a slew of players just waiting to take over starting spots.  But the Cardinals only have 2 returning starters on the offensive line in Tyler Gossett and Landon Bebee.  Lots of new faces will be seen on defense as well where all four linebackers have to be replaced.   
• Winner: The chips appear to be against Webb City, but that is exactly when they seem to be at their best.  Carl Junction is very capable of winning with their overall team speed, but I'm going with the Cardinals.

Big Games

• Cape Girardeau Central at Mt. View-Liberty - Is this the year Liberty gets past Lamar?  It seems like that question comes up every year.  This game may go a long way to determining the answer as the Eagles take on Central who made the class 4 semifinals or better the last 3 years.  But they have a new head coach & are without star Al Young.  Expect speed vs speed.
• Winner: Mt. View-Liberty in a barn burner.

• El Dorado Springs at Stockton - It's the Cedar County Bowl and while both teams are reloading some, Stockton is looking to avenge last years 20-15 loss.
• Winner: I'll go with Stockton and their experienced offensive line.

• Osceola at Cass-Midway - These two again look to be on top in the WEMO.  The Indians had some big losses to graduation and will need to regroup quickly.
• Winner: Cass-Midway.

• California at Monett (Sat) - The Cubs have some high expectations.  And while the Pintos were just 6-3 last season, they are due to bounce back.  A win here would be a great way to start the season. 
• Winner: Michael Branch pounds California into submission.

Other Games to Watch

• Mountain Grove at Aurora - What does Aurora have left after last years run?  Will Mountain Grove compete at class 2?  Why is Joboo talking in questions?
• Winner: Too much speed from Otwell and Short for Aurora.  Panthers win.

• West Plains at Waynesville - The Zizzers have established themselves as contenders under Steve Ary.  But how will the Tigers fare in year 2 under Brad Drehle?
• Winner: I think the Tigers are your dark horse contender for the OC title and like them to win.

• Glendale at Joplin - We all know that Glendale will put up video game numbers, but Joplin was solid in their first year under Curtis Jasper.
• Winner: Too many offensive newcomers for Joplin.  They won't keep pace with Glendale.

• Mt. Vernon at Reeds Spring - The Mountaineers have some good momentum after last season, but graduation hit them hard.  As it did the Wolves but a very talented group of youngsters is ready to take over.
• Winner: Going with the Wolves.

• Cassville at Lamar - Lamar is geared up for another run at the class 2 title while Cassville is trying to recapture their form of previous years.  A good showing against the Tigers would be a great start.
• Winner: Should be Lamar, but how well will the Wildcats do?

• Bolivar at Republic - A good temperature check for both teams.  Bolivar is looking to prep for another COC Small run while the Tigers and Wes Beachler and Republic are looking to continue their climb.
• Winner: I like the Tigers to win behind their offensive line.

 Rest of the Schedule

• Willard at Nixa - A must win to contend for the COC title, both teams took big skill positions losses in the offseason.
• Winner: I think Nicos Oropeza gives Nixa the edge.

• Carthage at Ozark - Carthage lost a lot from last year's class 5 state semifinalist team.  But overlook coach Jon Guide at your own peril.
• Winner: Ozark should put up a good fight, but I'm going with Carthage.

• Branson at Neosho - Neosho is on the upswing under Dustin Baldwin, while Branson is looking to get things turned around, but they are young.
• Winner: Neosho gets off to a 1-0 start.

• Camdenton at Hillcrest - Jay Griffin is set to have a breakout season if the Laker offensive line can replace Josh Keys and Parker Pitts.
• Winner: Camdenton

• Lebanon at Rolla - Will Christian keeps turning out winners but has to face his old defensive coordinator in Jon Franks.
• Winner: The Yellowjackets go 1-0.

• Kickapoo at Parkview - No Malachi Stout.  No Anthony Riley.  But still a big game.  The Chiefs defend their OC title with a brand new offensive line.
• Winner: Both teams have to rebuild but I think Kickapoo is in better shape with Chris Lawson behind center.

• Jasper at Sarcoxie - The Eagles have a new head coach, but have some very good talent returning in Levi Brown and Mason Olinger.
• Winner:Jasper.

• Liberal at Lockwood - There are good reports coming out of Liberal, but Lockwood has a great 1-2 punch in Kyle Bouldin and Ethan Bates.
• Winner: Lockwood

• Pierce City at Diamond - Both teams return a lot and should contend in the SRVC, but Diamond is on an upward climb under Ben Glidewell.
• Winner: Diamond

• Marionville at Sherwood - Marionville lost a lot from last year, but Sherwood only scored 47 points all of last year.
• Winner: Marionville

• Skyline at Lexington - Brandon Shelby has to replace a lot.  RB Shawn Bryan should help but the Minutemen are coming off a solid 9-2 campaign.
• Winner: Lexington

• Lighthouse Christian at East Newton - Better times are ahead for the Patriots with Jamie LaSalle at the helm.  The Chargers have some big shoes to fill with Ben Friend gone.
• Winner: East Newton

• Cabool at Barat Academy - The Bulldogs look to avoid starting 0-9 like they did last year.
• Winner: I think they will.  Cabool wins.

• Warsaw at Clinton - The Wildcats have to improve their defense that gave up 46.5 ppg last year.
• Winner: I don't think they improve enough.  Clinton wins.

• Greenfield at Union Christian Academy - The Wildcats have no problem scoring, and face a Union team in their first year of 8-man with their third coach in 3 years.
• Winner: Greenfield

• Salem at McDonald County - Salem makes the LONG drive of the night to Big 8 country.  The Mustangs are under a new head coach.
• Winner: Salem

• Pleasant Hope at Hollister - Hollister will debut their new turf, and have a big offensive line that should keep them running on it.
• Winner: Hollister

• Rogersville at Springfield Central - The Bulldogs have a lot of turnover to deal with, while Rogersville brings back a lot of starters to get back on the winning side.
• Winner: Winning start for Rogersville.

• Seneca at Nevada -  Nevada scored a 33-12 win over the Indians last year, but Seneca has a lot of starters back and a new head coach.
• Winner: Seneca

• Springfield Catholic at Strafford - The Irish bring a lot back in year 3 for Steve Hancock including sophomore RB Nick Crites.
• Winner: Irish

• Buffalo at Fair Grove - Big expectations for the Eagles with Austin Fodge, Brayden Lumley, and crew back.
• Winner: Fair Grove

• Marshfield at Ava - I think the Blue Jays are on the way up, but Ava is the SCA dark horse this year.
• Winner: Ava

• Ash Grove at Houston - The Tigers look like a team on the rise under 2nd year head coach Eric Sloan, but the Pirates return their excellent defense (18.3 ppg) completely intact. 
• Winner: Ash Grove

• Hayti at Thayer - Huge personnel losses for Thayer + an experienced Hayti team that went 7-4 last year = a tough contest.
• Winner: Hayti

• Willow Springs at Miller - Both squads are looking to bounce back from sub-par seasons.
• Winner: Give it to Miller at home.

• Lincoln at Rich Hill - Lincoln look to build on a breakthrough season and start with a Rich Hill team that won 3 of their last 5 games.
• Winner: The Cardinals keep it going and beat Rich Hill.

• Drexel at Appleton City - Drexel had a Jekyll and Hyde type of year last year, but Appleton City just can't seem to find any traction.
• Winner: Drexel