The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - Week 2

Every year, there is a team that I just can't seem to nail down.  They zag when I think they will zig.  They lose when I think they have a game in the bag.  No matter how I think about it, I can't seem to connect with where they're headed and I keep missing my picks on them.  Through 2 weeks year, I have four remaining possiblities for this team. 

Class 1 teams are a good candidate for the job because a small change can affect them in a big way.  Miller fits that profile.  It's never a surprise to see teams in a tough conference be hard to nail down starting the new year due to turnover.  That would be Carthage and West Plains.  But one team I would not have expected to be in this group would be Webb City.  I'm sure almost no one expected them to be 0-2 so far.  But the way they've gone about it has been shocking.

The Cardinals are far from the only surprise through 2 weeks though.  So sit back, try to relax, and remain calm through this 'I don't believe what I just saw' edition of...

The Good

• Stockton (1-0) at Ash Grove (1-0)
• Prediction: I think it's a close one, but I like to Pirates to find just enough offense to get the win.
• Result: Ash Grove 21, Stockton 12.  Nailed this one.  3 lead changes in the 2nd quarter as Ash Grove, then Stockton scored.  The Pirates took the lead with 3:47 left in the half and that was it until Ash Grove put the game away with a TD & 2-point conversion with 2:26 left in the game. 
• Republic (1-0) at Carl Junction (1-0)
• Prediction: Republic puts a scare in the Bulldogs, but CJ wins. 
• Result: Carl Junction 38, Republic 20.  CJ jumped out to a 21-0  1st quarter lead, only to see Republic get within 21-14 at the half.  But the Bulldogs would get back on track and dominate the second half.  RB Rayquion Weston carried the ball 32 times for 192 yards and 4 touchdowns for CJ.
• Rogersville (1-0) at Monett(1-0)
• Prediction: The Monett defense is too much for the Wildcats. 
• Result: Monett 49, Rogersville 0.  Too much everything for the Wildcats.  The Cub defense was way too much, Onis Howard's 2 TD runs were too much for Rogersville to overcome, and Michael Branch's 2 TD receptions and 2 TD runs were just much too much.
• Ozark (1-0) at Neosho (1-0)
• Prediction: Ozark is on the climb, but I like Neosho at home. 
• Result: Neosho 25, Ozark 20.  Another huge night for the Coleman Scott to Bryce Murphy connection.  Scott threw for 300 yards and 3 TDs, while Murphy had 7 catches for 178 yards, 2 TDs, and a 90 yard kickoff return for a score.  But it was Payton Klier catching a pass with under a minute to play, pinballing off of a host of Ozark defenders, and running 45 yards for the winning score.  You have to like where Ozark is headed though.
• Ava (1-0) at Lighthouse Christian (1-0)
• Prediction:  Ava is more ready.
• Result: Ava 42, Lighthouse Christian 0.  The Bears picked up right where they left off last week.  Kelly McDonald had 147 yards and a TD and Quincy McDonald's 3 picks including 1 he returned for a TD were part of 4 Charger turnovers that resulted in 21 Ava points.
• Willard (0-1) at Bolivar (0-1)
• Prediction: Willard's ground game wears down Bolivar for the win. 
• Result: Willard 48, Bolivar 42 - OT. What a show.  Willard trailed by as much as 16 before scoring 22 in the 3rd to take a 42-36 lead.  Bolivar drove 84 yards to tie it with 40 seconds left in the game, but their 2 point conversion attempt was no good.  In the OT, Kenny Chambers caught his second TD pass of the night, and Christian Smart sacked Bolivar QB Connor Sechler on 4th down to end the game.  Stats?  Yeah, stats.  Willard QB Quinton Batson had 4 TD passes and scored 1 on the ground.  Chambers added a TD on an interception return.  Nate Swadley had 103 yards rushing and Brock Chambers 2 TD catches and 1 TD run.  For Bolivar, Sechler threw for 320 yards and 3 TDs, Lane Loomer had 166 yards and 2 TDs rushing, Brandon Emmert had 9 catches for 124 yards and a TD, and this wins this weeks 'Best value for your admission price' award.
  
• Skyline (0-1) at Fair Grove(1-0)
• Prediction: Too many weapons all over the field for Skyline to deal with.  Fair Grove wins.
• Result: Fair Grove 50, Skyline 14.  Austin Fodge scored 3 times in the first quarter as the Eagles took a 28-0 lead and ballgame.  104 yards on the ground for Fodge, Dalton Cloyd added 89 rushing, 70 receiving, and 3 TDs, and the Eagles roll.  Too soon to start thinking of a Fair Grove offense/Ash Grove defense showdown for the Mid-Lakes title?
• Marionville (1-0) at Willow Springs (1-0)
• Prediction: The Bears have a lot returning & I think they're a solid team.  I'll take Willow.
• Result: Willow Springs 22, Marionville 0.  The Bears held Marionville to 138 total yards and picked off 3 Comet passes in a game that was still up for grabs into the final quarter until Willow QB Bryce Duddridge scored on a keeper from 8 yards out.
• Mt. View-Liberty (1-0) at Aurora (0-1)
• Prediction: Liberty wins. 
• Result: Mt. View-Liberty 49, Aurora 7.  The Houn Dawgs scored first and were even with Liberty at the end of the 1st quarter, but the Eagles would put 28 more points on the board before halftime to make the outcome academic.  For Liberty Josh Pruett had 270 yards and 3 TDs passing, 2 TDs rushing, and 12 tackles.  Marcos Rodriguez gained 102 yards and a score rushing.  9 catches, 166 yards, and 3 TDs for Brenton Bush.  and Koel Orchard had 11 tackles, 3 sacks, and scored on a 100 yard interception return.  Preston Naylor had 13 catches for 120 yards and 1 TD for Aurora.
• Nixa (1-0) at Branson (0-1)
• Prediction: Nixa. 
• Result: Nixa 40, Branson 28.Nixa had to fight again in the 4th quarter to close the win out.  Down 20 going into the final period, the Pirates scored twice to close within 34-28, but Nicos Oropeza scored his 2nd TD of the night to seal the deal.  227 yards rushing for Oropeza.  QB Andrew Rivera added 2 TD runs for the Eagles as well.
• Archie (0-1) at Cass-Midway (1-0) 
• Prediction: Midway cruises. 
• Result: Cass-Midway 22, Archie 14.  No cruising whatsoever for the Vikings.  Archie took a 7-0 lead in the 1st.  In the 2nd, Midway scored 22 straight points and looked to be rolling.  But the Whirlwinds ran the ensuing kickoff back to make it 22-14 with a minute before halftime but that was all.  The defenses took over in the 2nd half. 
• Diamond (1-0) at Jasper (0-1)
• Prediction: Diamond goes 2-0.
• Result: Diamond 32, Jasper 6.  No problem for the Wildcats as they threw a balanced offensive attack at Jasper for almost 500 total yards.  QB Carter Prewitt was 24 of 38 for 274 yards and 3 TDs with Blake Drake catching 11 passes for 150 yards and a score.
• Lincoln (1-0) at Wentworth Military Academy (0-0)
• Prediction: Wentworth wins the matchup of nicknames (Red Dragons), but other than that it's all Lincoln.
• Result: Lincoln 48, Wentworth Military Academy 0.  Lincoln sees their game shortened by weather for a 2nd straight week.  But as they led 38-0 after the 1st quarter, it's probably OK.  Boone Kroenke tossed 3 TD passes.
• Buffalo (0-1) at Pleasant Hope (0-1)
• Predicton: Buffalo gets their first win. 
• Result: Buffalo 56, Pleasant Hope 12.  The Pirates scored first on a 70 yard Jeremy Rotramel TD run.  But 3 TD passes for Kyle Cooley lead the Bison to a 35-12 halftime lead and their first win.
• Hollister (1-0) at Cabool (0-1)
• Prediction: This has the makings of a great game, and I like the Tigers to win. 
• Result: Hollister 39, Cabool 16. It was the Jackson Beckemeir to Derek Morris show as they hooked up on TD passes of 19, 15, 20, and 40 yards.  Beckemeir added a 5th TD pass to Landon Farquhar.
• Springfield Central (0-1) at Jefferson City (1-0)
• Prediction: Jefferson City. 
• Result: Jefferson City 83, Springfield Central 6.  7 turnovers and only 71 yards of offense for the Bulldogs.
• East Newton (0-1) at Lamar (1-0)
• Prediction: Lamar rolls. 
• Result: Lamar 55, East Newton 0. I feel like we're numb to what Lamar does now.  48-0 at the half on just 13 offensive plays?  Yawn.  That only happens when teams are really good.
• Adrian (0-1) at Drexel (1-0) 
• Prediction: Adrian evens their record up.
• Result:  Adrian 34, Drexel 6. Up just 7-6 after the first period and 14-6 at the half, Adrian exploded for 20 3rd quarter points to secure the win.  Zachary Shannon rushed for 136 yards and 2 TDs and the Blackhawk defense allowed just 6 first downs all night.
• Joplin (0-1) at Parkview (0-1)
• Prediction: Simply put, I think Joplin is the better team.  They win.
• Result: Joplin 41, Parkview 28. Jokiem Crawford rushed for 101 yards and 3 TDs as the Eagles pulled away from an early tie to down the Vikings.
• Pembroke Hill (0-1) at El Dorado Springs (0-1)
• Prediction: Pembroke Hill gets the win. 
• Result: Pembroke Hill 14, El Dorado Springs 6. The Raiders took a 6-0 lead in the 1st quarter until under 6 minutes left in the game when the Bulldogs tied it up.  But Pembroke would drive down and score on a short pass with less than 2 minutes left for the win.
• Glendale (1-0) at Hillcrest (0-1)
• Prediction: Another 'too much offense' game.  Glendale wins. 
• Result: Glendale 53, Hillcrest 8.  The sky is falling!  Alex Huston did not pass for over 500 yards!  He still tossed 7 TD passes though.  But the story was the Falcon defense that had a great performance holding Hillcrest scoreless after the 1st period.
• Cole Camp (1-0) at Warsaw (0-1)
• Prediction: Cole Camp continues Warsaw's misery.
• Result: Cole Camp 34, Warsaw 16. Kegan Glenn ran for 160 yards, but the Wildcats would only find the endzone twice in the third quarter, while Cole Camp matched them in the 3rd and scored in every other period as well.
• Greenfield (1-0) at Sacred Heart (0-1)
• Prediction: Make it 2 in a row for Greenfield.
• Result: Greenfield 48, Sacred Heart 32.  The Wildcats jumped out to a 20-0 first quarter lead and held Sacred Heart at bay from there.
• Houston (0-1) at St. James (1-0)
• Prediction: St. James gets a measure of revenge. 
• Result: St. James 42, Houston 0.  No miracle comeback this year.  St. James rolled from start to finish.
• Rolla (0-1) at Kickapoo (1-0)
• Prediction: They shouldn't tonight.  All Chiefs. 
• Result: Kickapoo 42, Rolla 14. Davis Buhr had 175 yards and a TD rushing for Rolla, but it was far too little too late.  Chris Lawson tossed 4 first half TD passes to stake Kickapoo to a 42-0 halftime lead.
• Waynesville (0-1) at Lebanon (1-0)
• Prediction: Yellowjackets win. 
• Result: Lebanon 42, Waynesville 6.  John Berry with 2 TDs and 133 yards on the ground as the Yellowjackets easily dispatched Waynesville.
• Pierce City (0-1) at Liberal (0-1)
• Prediction: Pierce City gets rid of the goose egg in the win column. 
• Result: Pierce City 27, Liberal 20.  The Eagles jumped out to a 14-0 lead, only to see Liberal score 20 straight points to lead 20-14 at the half.  But Pierce City rallied with Gage Brown scoring twice, and kept the Bulldogs out of the endzone in the second half.
• Rich Hill (0-1) at Lockwood (1-0)
• Prediction: Easy win for Lockwood. 
• Result: Lockwood 33, Rich Hill 0.  21 points in the 1st, 12 in the 4th for the Tigers as they cruise.  Kyle Bouldin with 190 yards and 2 TDs on the ground, QB Will Beerly with a pair of TD passes to Logan Sparkman.
• McDonald County (0-1) at Marshfield (0-1)
• Prediction: Marshfield gets their first win.
• Result: Marshfield 28, McDonald County 6.  The Mustangs got on the board first, but it was all Marshfield from there as they rushed for almost 300 yards.  QB Garrett Nunnally went for 127 and scored the go ahead TD in the 2nd quarter.
• Strafford (0-1) at Mountain Grove (1-0)
• Prediction: Panthers for the win. 
• Result: Mountain Grove 44, Strafford 6.  Too much for Strafford to handle. Trystan Short rushed for 143 yards and 2 TDs, Chance Barbe had 107 yards and 2 TDs, and Carter Otwell had 2 TD runs and tossed a TD pass.
• Sumner (0-0) at Salem (1-0)
• Prediction: Salem goes to 2-0.
• Result: Salem 37, Sumner 6.  28-0 after the first and 35-0 at the half for Salem.  Zak Eplin accounted for all 5 TDs rushing for 2 and tossing 3 TD passes including a 63 yarder to J.J. McGowan as time expired in the first.  McGowan finished with 101 yards receiving.
• Sarcoxie (1-0) at Commerce, OK (0-0)
• Prediction: I'll take Commerce to win. 
• Result: Commerce 37, Sarcoxie 7.  After falling behind 23-0 at half, the Bears scored on their opening drive of the 2nd half, but that would be all they could muster.
• Thayer (0-1) at New Madrid County Central (0-1)
• Prediction: I'll take the Bobcats to control Central enough to win.
• Result: Thayer 54, New Madrid County Central 20. Clay Williams took the opening kickoff 80 yards to the house and the Bobcats would score on their next 4 possessions to put it away early.  Garrett Young with 178 yards and 3 TDs for Thayer.
• Springfield Catholic (1-0) at Mt. Vernon (0-1)
• Prediction: I like the Mountaineers to take this one.
• Result: Mt. Vernon 24, Springfield Catholic 17.  A good one as the teams traded the lead 4 times, the final time with under 2 minutes to play on a 45 yard Garrett Hadlock to Chance Fenton TD pass.  Hadlock had 301 yards passing, Fenton 5 catches for 166 yards.

The Bad

• Webb City (0-1) at Carthage (0-1)
• Prediction: I'm taking the Cardinals to bounce back.
• Result: Carthage 34, Webb City 21.  It's the Blue Tigers who bounce back using 4 1st half turnovers and a HUGE goal line stand to open up a 28-7 lead going into the 4th period.  RB Trey Collins and QB Keith Guest each scored twice for Carthage.  Cameron Baker had 128 yards rushing and all 3 Cardinal touchdowns.
•  Camdenton (1-0) at West Plains (1-0)
• Prediction: Camdenton has a tough trip to Howell County.  Zizzers win.
• Result: Camdenton 54, West Plains 41.  After being up 21-20 at the half, Camdenton stretched the lead to 41-20 before the Zizzers rallied closing to 41-34, then 47-41 with 8 seconds left.  But Jay Griffin took the onside kick attempt to the house for the final margin.  Griffin scored twice for the Lakers while QB Dyllan Decker threw 3 TD passes to TE Parker Stidham and caught a TD pass.  Zizzer RB Keegan Hoopes had another huge game scoring 4 times while rushing for 223 yards.

The Ugly

• Osage (1-0) at Seneca (1-0)
• Prediction: This is an evenly matched pair of teams.  The home field is the difference for Seneca. 
• Result: Osage 35, Seneca 19.  Lance Hymer pulled Seneca within 21-19 with just over 3 minutes to play before Osage stretched the lead with 2 late scores. RB Spencer Brattin goes over 100 yards for the second week.
• Reeds Spring (1-0) at Cassville (0-1)
• Prediction: Cassville doesn't have the weapons to exploit the Wolves defense.  Reeds Spring wins. 
• Result: Cassville 27, Reeds Spring 6. They didn't need weapons, just one weapon. RB River Phelps had TD runs of 60 and 81 yards and a TD catch of 64 yards which was more than enough.  Great performance by the Wildcat D holding the Wolves to 6 points after they scored 47 last week.
• Miller (0-1) at Windsor (1-0)
• Prediction: Miller goes to 0-2. 
• Result: Miller 55, Windsor 20.  Nice bounceback for the Cardinals.  Combine that with Willow Springs performance and Miller may still be a SRVC contender.  Kaul Kleeman caught 2 TD passes, rushed for a third, and had an 80 yard punt return TD called back.
• Osceola (0-1) at Appleton City (0-1)
• Prediction: Osceola 
• Result: Appleton City 28, Osceola 12.  Oh my, 8 yards rushing on 23 attempts for the Indians.  Hopefully the weather had something to do with that.

Incomplete

• Nevada (0-1) at K.C. Center (1-0)
• Prediction: Yep.  Forgot to put this one on the list.
• Result: K.C. Center 28, Nevada 0.  It was probably for the best as Center has yet to surrender a point this season.

Player of the week:  We're giving some love to the defense this week.  The Glendale D has been much maligned recently while their offense has been lauded.  We forget that all those offensive possessions and plays by the offense mean more possessions and plays the defense has to face.  But Kyle Doran and the rest of the Falcons defenders allowed the lowest point total surrendered by Glendale since week 3 of 2012.  

Record for the week: 34-6, .850.  We love round numbers.

Overall record: 65-12, .844.  That's a fine start, my best 2 week total ever.