Joboo's Week 6 Picks

I make no apologies for my affection for Mt. View.  It is where my mother was born, grew up, and graduated a Mt. View High School Pirate.  My incredibly cool grandmother is now 90 years old and is still a proud Mt. View citizen.  I have more incredible memories than can be counted of my younger years spending time on the Hoff farm in Mt. View with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins.  It is my second home and always will be.

But you don't need any connection to Mt. View to see that probably the biggest game in the state is happening there Friday night when the Eagles, 5-0 and ranked #2 in the state in class 2, renew their rivalry with Mountain Grove who are also 5-0 and ranked #4 in class 2.  It's become a game to circle on the schedule each year and this season is as big as it gets.

Outside of that, it's a relatively quiet week compared to week 5.  But there should be a number of competitive match ups around.  The second biggest game in terms of conference implications is 4-1 Diamond taking on 4-1 Sarcoxie in the SRVC.  We also have Cassville and Monett getting after it again with both at 4-1 losing only to Lamar.  Carl Junction and Carthage meet with identical 4-1 records.  And Webb City continues to try to emerge from their 0-2 start as they take on 5-0 Nixa, the COC Large leaders.

Week 6 is traditionally a week when crazy things happen, so keep an eye on the scoreboard as we start to approach district playoff time.

Game of the Week

• Mountain Grove (5-0) (Class 2 #4) at Mt. View-Liberty (5-0) (Class 2 #2)
• We pretty much know what we're getting here.  The Panthers like to run first and have the ability to pass it.  Carter Otwell, Trystan Short, and Chance Barbe give Grove a number of options that can hit the big play.  Their defense is also pretty good giving up just 8.2 points per game.  For Liberty, they have speed too and like to toss it around.  Josh Pruett is putting up great numbers at a steady pace and is a threat with his legs as well.  Brenton Bush, are the main targets while Marcos Rodriguez is solid toting the rock and tackling the opposition.
• Mt. View has won 8 of the last 9 meetings.  The lone win for Grove was a 27-20 win at Mt. View in 2012 during the regular season.  Liberty would defeat Grove in the playoffs that year 21-7 at Mountain Grove.
• The common opponent test is even as Liberty had a better result against Aurora (49-7 vs 35-14), but the Panthers did better against Ava (26-0 vs 28-20).
• Prediction: Liberty's offensive line is depleated, but that is negated by the sheer number of offensive options they have.  I think it's a close one, but the Eagles win.

Big Games

• Sarcoxie (4-1) at Diamond (4-1)
• Diamond is hot and a win here would let them start etching their name on the SRVC trophy.  The Bears need this one as they still have Lockwood and Pierce City ahead.
• Prediction: The Wildcats have gotten focused after the loss to Buffalo.  I think they keep winning.
• Cassville (4-1) at Monett (4-1) (Class 3 #4)
• Both teams have running backs you need to stop, but they are totally different.  River Phelps has got the elusiveness and the jets.  Michael Branch lays the lumber to opposing tacklers, and has good speed as well.  
• Prediction: Both RBs have their moments, but the Cubs hit some big plays for the win.
• Webb City (3-2) (Class 4 #7) at Nixa (5-0) (Class 5 #6)
• Each week the Cardinals look more like the team we've come to expect.  Bad news for Nixa.  The Eagles as still on top, but take away the Central game and their average margin of victory is less than 10 points.  
• Prediction: Defense is leading the Cardinal resurrection, and Nixa's offense this season is made for them.  Webb City.
• Carl Junction (4-1) (Class 4 #2) at Carthage (4-1)
• The Bulldogs might have escaped another game they were overlooking a bit last week.  But both teams won't be overlooking this one.  The winner stays in the crazy COC Large race and both teams still have Nixa ahead.
• Prediction: Give me the Bulldogs to get dialed back in.
• Butler (4-1) at Cass-Midway (5-0) (Class 1 #6)
• With a share of the WEMO title locked down, the Vikings will try to get revenge for last year's loss to Butler.  The first time Butler had EVER beaten Midway.
• Prediction: I think the matchups favor Butler here.  It should be close, but I'll go with the Bears.

Other Games to Watch

• Ash Grove (5-0) at Skyline (2-3)
• Why watch?  To see if Ash Grove can set up the winner take all matchup with Fair Grove in week 8 or if Skyline's offense can go off again & spoil the show.  
• Prediction: The Pirates get it done.
• Salem (3-2) at Willow Springs (3-2)
• Both teams started 3-0 then dropped 2 in a row.  To have any chance to finish in the top half of the SCA, they have to win here.  Especially Salem who still has Mountain Grove and Liberty ahead of them.
• Prediction: Salem gets past the Bears.
• Lockwood (4-1) (Class 1 #10) at Pierce City (3-1)
• The Tigers have been hit hard with the loss of Kyle Bouldin, but still have a shot at the SRVC title if they can get by the Eagles who are finishing a 4 game homestand and seem to be getting better each week.
• Prediction: I like the Eagles to stay in the conference race with a win.
• Osceola (0-5) at Archie (0-5)
• Archie is simply the unluckiest team in Missouri.  So it would make sense that offensively challenged Osceola busts out against them.  Right?
• Prediction: Not doing that to the Whirlwinds.  I'll take them to get win #1, again.

Rest of the Schedule

• Mt. Vernon (3-2) at East Newton (1-4)
• Fresh off ending their overall and Big 8 losing streaks, the Patriots welcome in Mt. Vernon who seems to still be on the rise.
• Prediction: Mountaineers are too much.
• Willard (1-4) at Ozark (3-2)
• How important is Ozark's defense this year?  Both time's they've allowed over 20 points they've lost.  Willard is certainly capable of putting up that many and they're dangerous as they've been competitive in 3 of their losses.
• Prediction: If Ozark wasn't coming off of a loss, I'd pick Willard.  But I think Ozark will be hungry to get back on track.
• Cabool (0-5) at Thayer (3-2)
• If Thayer can keep it up, they could pass Ash Grove for the top seed in their district if the Pirates lose.  They may not be state contenders, but they are not to be overlooked for sure.
• Prediction: The Bobcats win.
• Hollister (3-2) at Reeds Spring (4-1)
• The Tigers have tied their best season record already with 3 wins and they probably aren't done.  Reeds Spring is flying high, but Hollister's offensive firepower could give them trouble.
• Prediction: Both of their home games have been somewhat close.  I think this could be too, but the Wolves don't slip up.
• Springfield Catholic (2-3) at Buffalo (2-3)
• The Irish have not performed well on the road so far.  While Buffalo's only home game was their great comeback against Diamond.  The Bison are capable of winning, but have to keep the Irish from dominating time of possession.
• Prediction: I think Catholic is just a little too much and wears down Buffalo for the win.
• Appleton City (3-2) at Adrian (3-2)
• Appleton City's 3 wins are over teams that have 1 win combined.  Adrian has a good win over Drexel, but they haven't played well at home so far this year.
• Prediction: After a close call last week, I think the Blackhawks look better and win.
• Strafford (2-3) at Fair Grove (5-0) (Class 2 #8)
• How's this for all over the board?  This year, Strafford's defense has given up 0, 12, 20, 35, and 44 points in games.  While their offense has scored 6, 12, 23, 28, and 39.
• Prediction: Fair Grove keeps their Mid-Lakes showdown with Ash Grove alive with a win.
• Marionville (1-4) at Pleasant Hope (0-5)
• Last week was Pleasant Hope's best defensive performance of the year by better than 2 touchdown.  Now they get Marionville who has scored a total of 28 points in their last 4 games.
• Prediction: The Comets toughen up for their second win.
• Rich Hill (1-4) at Drexel (3-2)
• After losing with their best offensive performance of the year last week, Drexel returns home where they are 0-1 to face a Rich Hill team that thumped them last year.
• Prediction: After opening with Lincoln and a full strength Lockwood, Rich Hill has played well. I think they win.
• Camdenton (3-2) at Rolla (1-4)
• Camdenton got back on the winning side last week while Rolla looked good in getting their first win.
• Prediction: I'll take the Lakers.
• Lamar (4-0) (Class 2 #1) at McDonald County (0-5)
• The Tigers have had a week off to rest & prepare for McDonald County.
• Prediction: Unless they rest all the starters for next weeks clash with Valle, Lamar wins.
• Joplin (3-2) at Waynesville (0-5)
• The Eagles are still a solid team and Waynesville just can't seem to put a whole game together.
• Prediction: Joplin wins.
• Aurora (1-4) at Seneca (2-3)
• The Houn Dawgs have to be so happy to be done with their first 5 games, but they only have 1 home game remaining.  Against 4-1 Cassville.
• Prediction: I'll take Aurora.
• Houston (1-4) at Ava (3-2)           
• After already facing Grove and Liberty, Ava wants to cement their spot as the #3 team in the conference.  
• Prediction: Ava gets another win.
• Liberal (1-4) at Miller (1-4)
• Outside of their game with Windsor, the Cardinal defense has been riddled.  And the 20 they gave up to Windsor is the most Widsor has scored this year.
• Prediction: Liberal looked solid last week before fading in the second half.  They finishe the game this week.
• Hillcrest (2-3) at Kickapoo (4-1) (Class 6 #8) – Thur.
• The Chiefs have had a week to stew on their loss to Glendale.  And still have a shot at sharing the OC title.
• Prediction: Chiefs get back in high gear and win.
• El Dorado Springs (1-4) at Wentworth Military Academy (0-3)
• The Bulldogs put up a robust 76 points last week.   The Red Dragons have given up almost twice that in just 2 & a half games of play.
• Prediction: It’s a winning streak for the Bulldogs.
• Tipton (2-3) at Lincoln (5-0) (Class 1 #4)
• Tipton has won 2 of their last 3 games and they’re only giving up 21 points per game, but Lincoln is far and away the best team they have played so far.
• Prediction: No problem getting to 6-0 for Lincoln.
• Glendale (5-0) (Class 5 #5) at Parkview (2-3) – Thur.
• I would say that the Falcons have to avoid a letdown after beating Kickapoo, but they looked like they have every other game this year.
• Prediction: With an extra day of rest on Parkview, Falcons win again.
• Lighthouse Christian (3-2) at Tulsa NOAH (0-4)
• This has been a great rivalry, but NOAH is in the midst of one of its worst seasons and is averaging only 9.5 points per game.
• Prediction: Chargers get the road win.
• Marshfield (2-3) at Branson (0-5)
• At some point, you just have to feel that Marshfield is going to start breaking out.  Playing bigger schools like Branson is a nice step.  Meanwhile Branson continues to be frisky in every game.
• Prediction: Remember last week when I said Branson was going to win a game?  Well it's homecoming night.  Pirates win.
• West Plains (1-4) at Lebanon (4-1)    
• The Zizzers are still a team to deal with but need a win to help their district standing.  Lebanon has to go to Joplin then Kickapoo the next 2 weeks.  A win here would be nice.
• Prediction: Yellowjackets take it.
• Springfield Central (0-5) at Nevada (1-4)
• The Bulldogs get a reprieve from the brutal competition they've been facing but have to travel to Nevada who has looked better the last 2 weeks.
• Prediction: I'll take the Tigers at home.
• Jasper (1-4) at Stockton (2-3)
• The Tigers have failed to match their first game offensive fireworks and are in bad need of a win to try to avoid Lamar, Fair Grove, or Cole Camp in the first round of district play.
• Prediction: Stockton evens their record out.
• Oswego, KS (0-3) at Greenfield (5-0) (8-man #8)
• The Wildcats have one of the best defenses in the state in 8-man football.  While Oswego has only scored 27 points in their 3 games.
• Prediction: Greenfield continue to roll.
• Bolivar (2-3) at Rogersville (3-2)
• Both teams need help to have a chance at the COC Small title, but Rogersville has a good chance to take over the #2 spot in their district.  While Bolivar could very easily secure a home game in the first round.
• Prediction: Bolivar gets back to .500 on the season.
• Eldon (2-3) at Warsaw (0-5)
• Eldon's 3 losses have come to teams that have lost 1 game combined.  
• Prediction: Warsaw still searching for a win.
• Republic (2-3) at Neosho (3-2)
• After a good win over Ozark, Republic faces district foe Neosho who sits 2 spots ahead of them in the rankings.
• Prediction: Neosho hasn't lost at home yet.  I think they keep that going.