Joboo's Week 2 Picks

Week 1 was pretty stellar, but my tendency to gives coaches too much credit cost me a couple of games that I should have had.  The first step in correcting a problem is to admit you have one.  So, #1 don't give the coaches too much credit.  Check.

Something else to avoid in week 2 is overreacting to week 1 results.  For example, don't think Webb City is out of the COC Large race after losing to Carl Junction.  Firstly, CJ is a really good team.  Secondly, take away the inadvertent whistle that caused a 10 point swing last Friday, and you have a different ballgame.  Or don't pencil West Plains in for the OC title yet since the blasted Waynesville.  Although they looked really good.  #2 don't overreact.

#3, prepare yourself for rough sailing.  Week 2 is often more unpredictable than week 1.  And we have some tough calls this week.  So let's get to it.

Game of the Week

• Stockton (1-0) at Ash Grove (1-0)
• Who is going to be marked the challenger to the Mid-Lakes throne?  With Marionville and Fair Grove also undefeated, the winner of this game may be able to stay that way for a while.  Stockton doesn't face Fair Grove until the week 5 and Marionville in week 9.  Ash Grove gets the Comets in week 4, and the Eagles in week 8.  The Pirates have allowed Stockton just 29 points total the last 2 years, and lost both games.  They continue to be tough on D shutting out Houston last week.  DB Paul Chavez will look to keep Stockton QB Jake Wheeler from tossing 3 TD passes like he did in week 1.  While DL Max Cashio and LB Tyler Howell will look to get pressure on Wheeler.
• Prediction: I think it's a close one, but I like to Pirates to find just enough offense to get the win.

 Big Games 

• Webb City (0-1) at Carthage (0-1)
• I've searched as far back as I can find (1973) and I can't find where these 2 have ever met when they were both winless.  We should find out if week 1 was a bad game, or a sign of a rough year ahead for both of these teams.
• Prediction: I'm taking the Cardinals to bounce back.
• Republic (1-0) at Carl Junction (1-0)
• Not a classic trap game for the Bulldogs as they know Republic is good.  But we all saw the emotion on the faces of the CJ players after beating Webb City.  No one would be surprised to see an emotional letdown.  And Republic is just the team to take advantage of that.  The Bulldogs haven't had a lot of luck stopping the Lamar offense in recent years, so expect Republic to score some points.
• Prediction: Republic puts a scare in the Bulldogs, but CJ wins.
• Rogersville (1-0) at Monett (1-0)
• The last time Rogersville won their 1st game of the year, they beat Monett in week 2 and went on to win the state championship.  That is certainly a long shot this year, but they looked greatly improved in week 1.  Meanwhile Monett dominated an overmatched California squad.
• Prediction: The Monett defense is too much for the Wildcats.
• Ozark (1-0) at Neosho (1-0)
• Tiger QB Jack Hulse and the Tigers spotted Carthage 7 points before taking over in week 1.  Neosho was tied with Branson at 21 before their defense shut down the Pirates.  The offense was on all night running up over 600 total yards of offense.
• Prediction: Ozark is on the climb, but I like Neosho at home.
• Camdenton (1-0) at West Plains (1-0)
• Camdenton looked like the team we thought they would in week 1 with Jay Griffin leading the way, but could never get the knockout blow on Hillcrest.  West Plains knocked out Waynesville early and looked nothing like a team that had lost so much talent.
• Prediction: Camdenton has a tough trip to Howell County.  Zizzers win.

Other Games to Watch

• Ava (1-0) at Lighthouse Christian (1-0)
• How good are these two teams?  The 2nd half Ava and the 4th quarter LCA of week 1 will make for a great game if they show up.
• Prediction:  Ava is more ready.
• Osage (1-0) at Seneca (1-0)
• Both teams had good wins to open the year.  With a lot of returning starters and a new scheme, Seneca could be a surprise team this season.
• Prediction: This is an evenly matched pair of teams.  The home field is the difference for Seneca.
• Willard (0-1) at Bolivar (0-1)
• Both of these teams are too good to go 0-2.  Both will look to avoid that & gain some momentum for the rest of the season.
• Prediction: Willard's ground game wears down Bolivar for the win.
• Skyline (0-1) at Fair Grove (1-0)
• Any chance of repeating as Mid-Lakes champions rests on Skyline knocking off the preseason favorites.  The Eagles are looking to continue the roll they got on against Buffalo.
• Prediction: Too many weapons all over the field for Skyline to deal with.  Fair Grove wins.
• Marionville (1-0) at Willow Springs (1-0)
• The Bears would love to finish their non-conference schedule 2-0 while Marionville is looking to go 2-0 on the road to start the season and forget about their last trip to the SCA.
• Prediction: The Bears have a lot returning & I think they're a solid team.  I'll take Willow.

Rest of the Schedule

• Mt. View-Liberty (1-0) at Aurora (0-1)
• Aurora put up a good fight last week, but Liberty looks like a team determined to prove something.  
• Prediction: Liberty wins.
• Nixa (1-0) at Branson (0-1)
• Despite letting Willard back into the game last week, the Eagles have to be happy to get the win.  Now they have a chance to get better.
• Prediction: Nixa.
• Archie (0-1) at Cass-Midway (1-0) 
• The Vikings had no problem in week 1 giving up less than 200 yards of offense to Osceola.  Archie is improved, but not enough.
• Prediction: Midway cruises.
• Diamond (1-0) at Jasper (0-1)
•  While Jasper looks to have fallen off some, they are still dangerous.  But Diamond's win over Pierce City may prove to be the conference title game.
• Prediction: Diamond goes 2-0.
• Lincoln (1-0) at Wentworth Military Academy (0-0)
• Last year Lincoln beat WMA 56-0.  Nothing has changed to change that result & the Red Dragons are playing their first game.
• Prediction: Wentworth wins the matchup of nicknames (Red Dragons), but other than that it's all Lincoln.
• Buffalo (0-1) at Pleasant Hope (0-1)
• Both teams continue to struggle, but Buffalo showed some life before falling to Fair Grove in week 1.
• Predicton: Buffalo gets their first win.
• Hollister (1-0) at Cabool (0-1)
• After a record setting win on their new turf, Hollister faces a Cabool team that almost came back on a decent Jefferson squad.
• Prediction: This has the makings of a great game, and I like the Tigers to win.
• Springfield Central (0-1) at Jefferson City (1-0)
• The Bulldogs may have taken a step back, but they aren't pushovers.  But playing the Jays is a whole new thing.
• Prediction: Jefferson City.
• Reeds Spring (1-0) at Cassville (0-1)
• While the Wolves will look to recreate their offensive production of week 1, Cassville will look to score their first points.
• Prediction: Cassville doesn't have the weapons to exploit the Wolves defense.  Reeds Spring wins.
• East Newton (0-1) at Lamar (1-0)
• East Newton saw some encouraging things last week.  Lamar saw nothing but encouraging things.
• Prediction: Lamar rolls.
• Adrian (0-1) at Drexel (1-0) 
• Despite the opening loss to Butler, Adrian could still win the WEMO title.  While Dexter is looking for some consistency.
• Prediction: Adrian evens their record up.
• Joplin (0-1) at Parkview (0-1)
• Both teams were overmatched last week.  Mainly by pure offensive firepower For both teams. 
• Prediction: Simply put, I think Joplin is the better team.  They win.
• Pembroke Hill (0-1) at El Dorado Springs (0-1)
• It may be a tough year for the Bulldogs.  Dayton Austin rushed for 101 yards last week, but 74 of them came on one run.
• Prediction: Pembroke Hill get the win.
• Glendale (1-0) at Hillcrest (0-1)
• Ho hum.  Another 550+ yards passing for Alex Huston, 61 points for the Falcons, and they rushed for 3 TDs.  WHAT? They rushed for 4 all of last year.  Meanwhile, Hillcrest almost came back against Camdenton.  They are improved.
• Prediction: Another 'too much offense' game.  Glendale wins.
• Cole Camp (1-0) at Warsaw (0-1)
• The Wildcats had plenty of offense last week, but most of it came after the game was no longer in doubt.  
• Prediction: Cole Camp continues Warsaw's misery.
• Greenfield (1-0) at Sacred Heart (0-1)
• The Wildcats make the trip to Sedalia to face the Gremlins who they beat 76-46 last year.
• Prediction: Make it 2 in a row for Greenfield.
• Houston (0-1) at St. James (1-0)
• Last year's game was a classic for Houston fans.  But massive graduation losses are hitting them now.
• Prediction: St. James gets a measure of revenge.
• Rolla (0-1) at Kickapoo (1-0)
• On paper, this looks like a no-brainer.  But Rolla has given Kickapoo fits in the past.
• Prediction: They shouldn't tonight.  All Chiefs.
• Waynesville (0-1) at Lebanon (1-0)
• Really disappointing loss for Waynesville.  Now they travel to face Lebanon who looked very solid in beating Rolla.
• Prediction: Yellowjackets win.
• Pierce City (0-1) at Liberal (0-1)
• The Eagles look to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Diamond, Liberal doesn't feel good about their game against Lockwood either.
• Prediction: Pierce City gets rid of the goose egg in the win column.
• Rich Hill (0-1) at Lockwood (1-0)
• Lockwood is a different team, but still looked really good in week 1.
• Prediction: Easy win for Lockwood.
• McDonald County (0-1) at Marshfield (0-1)
• The Jays can't feel good about their second half against Ava.  They will look to take it out on the Mustangs.
• Prediction: Marshfield gets their first win.
• Miller (0-1) at Windsor (1-0)
• The Cardinals hung in the game for a while last week, but things don't get easier in week 2.
• Prediction: Miller goes to 0-2.
• Osceola (0-1) at Appleton City (0-1)
• Not a great start to the season for the Indians, but Appleton City should help them get better.
• Prediction: Osceola
• Strafford (0-1) at Mountain Grove (1-0)
• It took a bit for the Panthers to get going, but they looked great once they did.  Strafford lost a heartbreaker and will look to make up for it.
• Prediction: Panthers for the win.
• Sumner (0-0) at Salem (1-0)
• Sumner went 4-6 last season.  All of their wins came against class 2 teams and none of them had a winning record.
• Prediction: Salem goes to 2-0.
• Sarcoxie (1-0) at Commerce, OK (0-0)
• After a nice showing in week 1, the Bears try to get past Commerce who finished 6-5 last season.
• Prediction: I'll take Commerce to win.
• Thayer (0-1) at New Madrid County Central (0-1)
• The Bobcats were closer to beating Hayti than the final score showed, but they have some things to address.  A loss here could mean an 0-4 start to the season.
• Prediction: I'll take the Bobcats to control Central enough to win.
• Springfield Catholic (1-0) at Mt. Vernon (0-1)
• This is an interesting game as we see a similar matchup to last week.  Mt. Vernon's passing vs. Catholic's ground game.
• Prediction: I like the Mountaineers to take this one.