Scoreboard Guy: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

An old nemesis reappeared this week. After doing OK on the SRVC so far this year, the conference I have traditionally been the worst at picking struck back with a vengeance this week as I missed all 3 SRVC only games this week. Although I did get Greenfield and Jasper correct. A big part of it was going with a couple of underdogs. After not pulling the trigger on East Newton over Seneca last week, I had 2 less popular picks, and ended up missing both by a grand total of 3 points.

But I did get most of my big games correct including Mt. View-Liberty standing tall to take control of the SCA and their district with a win over Mountain Grove. Webb City continued their resurgence by knocking off previously unbeaten Nixa to make the COC Large even more interesting. And other teams like Sarcoxie and Fair Grove took big steps toward conference championship. Read about that and more in today's 'coming into focus' edition of...

The Good

Mountain Grove (5-0) (Class 2 #4) at Mt. View-Liberty (5-0) (Class 2 #2)

Prediction: Liberty's offensive line is depleted, but that is negated by the sheer number of offensive options they have. I think it's a close one, but the Eagles win.
Result: Mt. View-Liberty 33, Mountain Grove 20. Liberty was in control throughout the game as Josh Pruett scored 3 times rushing in the first quarter for a 21-7 lead. From there, the Eagles held the Panthers off for a comfortable win and the SCA lead. Pruett finished with 186 yards and 2 TDs passing, 161 yards and 3 TDs on the ground, and added 11 tackles on defense. Brenton Bush and Marcos Rodriguez each had 13 tackles and an interception.

Cassville (4-1) at Monett (4-1) (Class 3 #4)

Prediction: Both RBs have their moments, but the Cubs hit some big plays for the win.
Result: Monett 21, Cassville 20. The Big plays for Monett weren't big in yards but in situation. Brody Crawford hauled in his second TD catch of the game on 4th down with 8:44 left would give Monett their first lead of the night. Then after Cassville pinned Monett deep with a punt, Michael Branch and Ian Mayer would pick up first downs to kill the clock and get the win. Kyle Ruark was huge for Cassville with 184 yards and 2 TDs on the ground while River Phelps added 110 yards rushing.

Webb City (3-2) (Class 4 #7) at Nixa (5-0) (Class 5 #6)

Prediction: Defense is leading the Cardinal resurrection, and Nixa's offense this season is made for them. Webb City.
Result: Webb City 34, Nixa 10. Any doubters on the Cardinals left? There shouldn't be. There defense is playing great, the turnover problem seems to be under control, and the team is gelling. Just a dominating performance as Nixa didn't get a first down until late in the second quarter and didn't score a TD until 29 seconds were left.

Butler (4-1) at Cass-Midway (5-0) (Class 1 #6)

Prediction: I think the matchups favor Butler here. It should be close, but I'll go with the Bears.
Result: Butler 54, Cass-Midway 22. A week after giving up 37 to Drexel, things got even worse for the Viking defense as they allowed 353 yards rushing and almost 500 yards of total offense to Butler who used a 23-0 2nd quarter to bust the game open.

Salem (3-2) at Willow Springs (3-2)

Prediction: Salem gets past the Bears.
Result: Salem 33, Willow Springs 24. 5 lead changes in the game with Salem scoring twice in the final quarter to overcome a 24-20 deficit. Xavier Elwood scored his 3rd TD of the night with 7 and a half minutes to go to take the lead for Salem, and added his 4th with just over 2 minutes to secure the win.

Osceola (0-5) at Archie (0-5)

Prediction: Not doing that to the Whirlwinds. I'll take them to get win #1, again.
Result: Archie 49, Osceola 0. Archie finally busts out in a big way holding Osceola to just 47 yards of offense on the night. Kale Wheeler had more than that twice in the first half scoring from 49 and 75 yards out and adding a third TD to make it 34-0 at the half. It was academic from there.

Mt. Vernon (3-2) at East Newton (1-4)

Prediction: Mountaineers are too much.
Result: Mt. Vernon 42, East Newton 6. Mt. Vernon led just 7-0 at the end of the 1st quarter and the Patriots pulled within 1 soon after. But the Mountaineers would score twice before the half and would steadily pull away from there. Sammy Robinson with 221 rushing yards and 2 TDs.

Willard (1-4) at Ozark (3-2)

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.
Result: Ozark 28, Willard 24. Down 16 and 10 points int he first half, Ozark fought back and took their first lead with a 2 yard TD run from QB Jack Hulse with 2:35 left. Willard would attempt to drive for the winning score, but Curt Gracey, who had 2 TDs rushing, intercepted a Willard pass to seal the homecoming win.

Cabool (0-5) at Thayer (3-2)

Prediction: The Bobcats win.
Result: Thayer 36, Cabool 14. 2 TD passes from Zyman Langley and 2 TD runs from Garrett Young staked the Bobcats to a 30-6 lead at the half. And the Thayer defense was more than good enough as they only allowed one offensive touchdown.

Hollister (3-2) at Reeds Spring (4-1)

Prediction: Both of their home games have been somewhat close. I think this could be too, but the Wolves don't slip up.
Result: Reeds Spring 52, Hollister 14. Huge night for RB Colter Whitten who had touchdown runs of 64, 67, and 44 yards as part of a 205 yard rushing night. And added a 90 yard kickoff return for a score for good measure. The Wolves used 28 2nd quarter points as part of 45 straight they would score to break loose from a 7-7 tie and ease to the win.

Springfield Catholic (2-3) at Buffalo (2-3)

Prediction: I think Catholic is just a little too much and wears down Buffalo for the win.
Result: Springfield Catholic 49, Buffalo 14. 406 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground for Catholic as they literally ran out to a 49-0 3rd quarter lead before Buffalo would score. Tyson Riley with 3 TDs and 157 yards in the first half for Catholic.

Strafford (2-3) at Fair Grove (5-0) (Class 2 #8)

Prediction: Fair Grove keeps their Mid-Lakes showdown with Ash Grove alive with a win.
Result: Fair Grove 28, Strafford 22. Tied at 14 all in the second quarter, the Eagles got a pair of Anthony Guynn field goals to take a 20-14 lead at the half. They would get some cushion on a Brayden Lumley to Dalton Cloyd TD pass in the third, and would need it as Strafford scored with less than 2 minutes to play on a 63 yard Marvy Laude catch from Kensen White. But the Eagles would recover the onside kick and run out the clock.

Marionville (1-4) at Pleasant Hope (0-5)

Prediction: The Comets toughen up for their second win.
Result: Marionville 50, Pleasant Hope 0. A much needed win for the Comets as they try to keep their hopes of hosting a district game alive. Marionville led 20-0 after 1, and 36-0 at halftime.

Camdenton (3-2) at Rolla (1-4)

Prediction: I'll take the Lakers.
Result: Camdenton 56, Rolla 14. Rolla led 14-13 at the end of the first quarter, but it was all Lakers from there as they went up 27-14 at the half and kept on rolling. Dylan Decker with 2 TD passes on 6-9 passing for 218 yards, and a rushing TD. Parker Stidham with 5 catches for 186 yards and 2 TDs. And 3 rushing TDs for Zach Wise.

Lamar (4-0) (Class 2 #1) at McDonald County (0-5)

Prediction: Unless they rest all the starters for next week’s clash with Valle, Lamar wins.
Result: Lamar 56, McDonald County 0. It's impressive to watch Lamar play. So impressive we get immune to it. So much so that we don't even blink hearing they score 36 points in the first quarter. Well how about holding the Mustangs to just 42 yards of total offense? That mean anything to you? 7 TD on the ground for Lamar with Anthony Wilkerson scoring twice on the ground and once on an interception return.

Joplin (3-2) at Waynesville (0-5)

Prediction: Joplin wins.
Result: Joplin 30, Waynesville 15. The Tigers made a game of it trailing just 16-12 in the third quarter. But they just couldn't get over the hump. Jokiem Crawford ran for 3 TDs and passed for another.

Houston (1-4) at Ava (3-2)

Prediction: Ava gets another win.
Result: Ava 70, Houston 22. The Bears Caleb Johnson returned the opening kickoff for a TD and things didn't get better for Houston as Ava led 48-14 at the half. Ava ran up over 500 yards of offense on the night including 343 all-purpose yards for Johnson.

Hillcrest (2-3) at Kickapoo (4-1) (Class 6 #8)

Prediction: Chiefs get back in high gear and win.
Result: Kickapoo 56, Hillcrest 8. 108 yards and 2 TD for Maverick McGee in the first half, Chris Lawson passed for 3 TDs and 212 yards on 14-20 passing, and the Chiefs ran out to a 35-0 lead and didn't look back.

El Dorado Springs (1-4) at Wentworth Military Academy (0-3)

Prediction: It’s a winning streak for the Bulldogs.
Result: El Dorado Springs 13, Wentworth Military Academy 0. Bulldogs get a forfeit. Still counts as a winning streak though.

Tipton (2-3) at Lincoln (5-0) (Class 1 #4)

Prediction: No problem getting to 6-0 for Lincoln.
Result: Lincoln 58, Tipton 18. The most points Lincoln has given up this year. But Derek Stephens outscored Tipton by himself finding paydirt 4 times.

Glendale (5-0) (Class 5 #5) at Parkview (2-3)

Prediction: With an extra day of rest on Parkview, Falcons win again.
Result: Glendale 55, Parkview 28. Behind over 400 yards passing and 6 TDs in the first half from Alex Huston, the Falcons rolled to a 30-0 lead and then matched scores with Parkview from there on. Luke Montgomery had 182 yards receiving and 2 TDs with Nader Leali adding 126 yards receiving. Blake Delacruz rushed for 168 yards and 2 TDs for Parkview.

Lighthouse Christian (3-2) at Tulsa NOAH (0-4)

Prediction: Chargers get the road win.
Result: Lighthouse Christian 49, NOAH 7. Lighthouse used a big 3rd to pull away in this one. After being up 22-7 at the break, they scored 3 times in the third to put it away early as they held NOAH to 89 yards total offense. Caleb Miranda had 124 yards and 2 TDs rushing. Haaken Friend 114 and 2 TDs receiving. While QB Bryant Taylor passed for 204 and 3 scores

Marshfield (2-3) at Branson (0-5)

Prediction: Remember last week when I said Branson was going to win a game? Well it's homecoming night. Pirates win.
Result: Branson 48, Marshfield 21. The Pirates broke out big doing it on the ground with 363 yards rushing, more than they had ran for in their first 5 games combined. They led 27-0 at the half as Kyle Hunn ran for 131 yards. Chad Utzman caught 2 TD passes.

Springfield Central (0-5) at Nevada (1-4)

Prediction: I'll take the Tigers at home.
Result: Nevada 54, Springfield Central 6. Nevada had scored 55 points in their first 5 games, but put up 47 in the first half. 8 different Tigers scored for Nevada.

Jasper (1-4) at Stockton (2-3)

Prediction: Stockton evens their record out.
Result: Stockton 20, Jasper 7. Good defensive effort from the Tigers as they only allowed Jasper to find the end zone once with 9:23 left in the third period to make it 14-7. But that would be all for the Eagles while Stockton would add an insurance score with less than a minute left in the 3rd for the final margin.

Oswego, KS (0-3) at Greenfield (5-0) (8-man #8)

Prediction: Greenfield continues to roll.
Result: Greenfield 74, Oswego, KS 18. Dominant performance from the Wildcats as they led 32-0 after 1, and 54-0 at the half. Charles Servoss and Draven Stapp both rushed for over 100 yards with Stapp and Mason Jones each having 3 TD runs.

Bolivar (2-3) at Rogersville (3-2)

Prediction: Bolivar gets back to .500 on the season.
Result: Bolivar 55, Rogersville 7. Lane Loomer had 219 yards and 4 TDs on the ground, Connor Sechler became Bolivar's all-time passing yardage leader, and 3 2nd quarter turnovers by Rogersville turned a 7-7 game into a 41-7 blowout at the half.

Eldon (2-3) at Warsaw (0-5)

Prediction: Warsaw still searching for a win.
Result: Eldon 49, Warsaw 17. 242 yards rushing for the night for Warsaw, but they only completed 2 of 11 passes and only found the end zone in the 4th quarter after the game was out of reach.

Republic (2-3) at Neosho (3-2)

Prediction: Neosho hasn't lost at home yet. I think they keep that going.
Result: Neosho 34, Republic 14. Not as close as the final score as Neosho played probably their best defensive game of the season. And scored 4 times on the ground highlighted by a 20 play 99 yard drive that took over 8 minutes. Payton Klier had a pair of 3 yard TD runs for Neosho.

The Bad

West Plains (1-4) at Lebanon (4-1)

Prediction: Yellowjackets take it.
Result: West Plains 48, Lebanon 41. Great win for West Plains as they are looking to ramp up for the playoffs. On the road and coming back from a 14 point 3rd quarter deficit. The Zizzers would tie the game at 34 on a 73 yard Landry Randolph to Taylor Cornish TD pass with 1:35 left in the quarter. Lebanon would respond with Cole Breeden scoring from 1 yard out early in the final stanza. But Keegan Hoopes would score twice including the go ahead TD with 1:22 to play. Lebanon would get the ball and drive to the Zizzer 17, but an Andrew Wheeler interception in the end zone with 8 seconds left sealed the win. 215 yards rushing for Hoopes. 3 TD passes for Randolph. For Lebanon, Breeden had 2 TD runs and tossed a TD pass and Jack Ehrhardt had 2 36 yard TD catches.

Liberal (1-4) at Miller (1-4)

Prediction: Liberal looked solid last week before fading in the second half. They finish the game this week.
Result: Miller 29, Liberal 28. The Cardinals overcame an early Liberal lead to go up 22-14 with 1.5 seconds left in the 1st half. Liberal would tie the game early in the third then take the 28-22 lead with 7:17 left in the third quarter. But after holding Miller without a score almost the entire 2nd half, the Cardinals would get a 26 yard TD pass with 21.5 seconds remaining for the win.

Aurora (1-4) at Seneca (2-3)

Prediction: I'll take Aurora.
Result: Seneca 28, Aurora 21. Seneca trailed 14-0 in the first half and 14-6 at the intermission, but Spencer Brattin scored from 56 yard out less than a minute into the second half to pull the Indians within 2 at 14-12. Then after Aurora extended their lead to 21-12, Cole Hatfield scored his 2nd TD of the night to get back within 2, then his 3rd TD run to give the Indians the lead for good early in the 4th period.

Carl Junction (4-1) (Class 4 #2) at Carthage (4-1)

Prediction: Give me the Bulldogs to get dialed back in.
Result: Carthage 35, Carl Junction 28. Wild finish here as CJ held a 21-14 lead before Carthage rolled off 21 straight points for a 14 point lead with 2:42 left. But the Bulldogs scored in less than a minute to pull within 7 with 1:52 remaining, then recovered the onside kick. But the Tigers Trey Collins came up with an interception to end the threat and preserve the win. Keith Guest with 3 TD runs for Carthage including the game winner.

Lockwood (4-1) (Class 1 #10) at Pierce City (3-1)

Prediction: I like the Eagles to stay in the conference race with a win.
Result: Lockwood 20, Pierce City 18. The Tigers jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead only to see the Eagles come fighting back. 3 second half scores got Pierce City to the cusp of a comeback, but failed conversions on each kept them from completing the rally.

Appleton City (3-2) at Adrian (3-2)

Prediction: After a close call last week, I think the Blackhawks look better and win.
Result: Appleton City 60, Adrian 21. A tale of 2 halves as the Bulldogs led only 27-21 at the half. The second half they exploded for 33 points and held the Blackhawks scoreless to cruise to the win. Tyler Foley led with way for App City with 221 yards and 4 TDs rushing. Billy Prater rushed for 145 and passed for 184 and 2 TDs. Both of those went to Evan Mitts who had 179 yards receiving. 135 yards and 2 TDs for Hunter Steen of Adrian.

The Ugly

Sarcoxie (4-1) at Diamond (4-1)

Prediction: The Wildcats have gotten focused after the loss to Buffalo. I think they keep winning.
Result: Sarcoxie 34, Diamond 18. Diamond took a 12-7 lead with just over 3 minutes left in the first quarter. But then our player of the week took over leading the Bears to 20 straight points for a 27-12 lead. Each team would score again before the half and that would be it as both defenses stood tall in the second half. Sarcoxie stands alone atop the SRVC and can get a death grip on the title next week against Lockwood.

Ash Grove (5-0) at Skyline (2-3)

Prediction: The Pirates get it done.
Result: Skyline 36, Ash Grove 12. Too much Shawn Bryan for the Pirates to handle. After he returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a score, the Pirates got a big of their own with a 73 yard Parker Soper TD catch to made it 7-6. But Bryan would find the end zone both rushing and catching a pass right before the half to make it 21-6. The Tiger defense would make that stand up to drop Ash Grove from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Rich Hill (1-4) at Drexel (3-2)

Prediction: After opening with Lincoln and a full strength Lockwood, Rich Hill has played well. I think they win.
Result: Drexel 48, Rich Hill 32. The Drexel offense continues to click. After leading 16-12 at the half, the Bobcats increased their lead to 24-12 entering the final quarter and then answered every Rich Hill score to maintain the advantage.

Player of the Week: Chris Comerford, Sarcoxie, QB, 364 yards from scrimmage, 4 TDs.

In their showdown with Diamond for the lead in the Spring River Valley Conference, Comerford came up big when it looked like the Wildcats were picking up momentum. After Comerford opened the scoring for Sarcoxie with a 59 yard TD runs, Diamond scored with 3:10 minutes left in the first quarter to go up 12-7. And after the Wildcats dismantling of Lockwood last week, they looked primed to take off. But Comerford led a personal offensive explosion with a 47 yard touchdown pass to Devin Middleton, then Christian Velasquez for a 19 yard TD pass on fourth down. Then when Diamond finally got back on the scoreboard scoring with less than 20 second left in the half to pull back within 27-18, Comerford took the ensuing kickoff 96 yards to destroy the Wildcats momentum. 2 passing TDs, 1 rushing, 1 special teams, and good defensive play that helped Sarcoxie shut Diamond down in the second half make Comerford my player of the week.

Record for the Week: 29-9, .763. Darn week 6.

Overall Record: 185-44, .808. I'm squandering a good start to the season.