Scoreboard Guy: Joboo's District Quarterfinal Picks

Here we go. It's playoff time. Feel free to apply any cliche you want. The goal for every team is the same, keep winning. No fancy words needed, let's just get to it.

Non-MSHSAA

Memphis Nighthawks (2-6) at Lighthouse Christian (6-3)

Now that the Chargers have finished MSHSAA play, they get their full team back and gear up for the national tournament.
Prediction: Last year the Chargers won 37-0. I see more of the same.

CLASS 1

District 2

#8 Miller (2-7) at #1 Ash Grove (6-3)

Ash Grove offensive woes make this district fully up for grabs. Can they get hot?
Prediction: Not sure if the Pirates will the district, but they win this game.

#5 Cabool (0-9) at #4 Sarcoxie (5-3)

Cabool will try to get repeat their performance from last year when they upset Pierce City in the first round of districts for their first win of the year. Sarcoxie is well aware of what they did.
Prediction: I think Sarcoxie rebounds from last week's loss.

#7 Pleasant Hope (1-8) at #2 Thayer (4-5)

The Pirates got their first win last week. Their reward a nice long drive to Thayer.
Prediction: The Bobcats are wounded, but I think they win.

#6 Marionville (2-7) at #3 Pierce City (4-3)

With losses to Diamond, Lockwood, and El Dorado Spring, the Eagles haven't had a single bad loss yet.
Prediction: I don't think they get one here either. Pierce City.

District 3

#8 Rich Hill (1-8) at #1 Cass-Midway (8-1)

While most of the WEMO has been unpredictable this year, the very top and very bottom haven't. Midway is the very top.
Prediction: Cass-Midway.

#5 Archie (2-7) at #4 Drexel (6-3)

A rematch of a great game earlier this year at Archie that saw Drexel win 22-21.
Prediction: I think the Bobcats have gotten stronger as the year has progressed. I'll take Drexel.

#7 Liberal (2-7) at #3 Lockwood (7-2)

Lockwood won by 29 in week 1. But that was with Kyle Bouldin. Liberal has improved as well.
Prediction: Still going with Lockwood.

#6 Jasper (3-6) at #3 Adrian (5-4)

Jasper has won 2 of their last 3 with a win over Lockwood and a near win over 7-2 Appleton City. Adrian could easily be 3-6 as they have 2 1-point wins.
Prediction: I'm going with the hot hand, Jasper.

District 4

#8 Osceola (0-9) at #1 Lincoln (9-0) Class 1 #4

Lincoln is dialed in right now. I don't see any change from their first meeting.
Prediction: Lincoln big.

#5 Tipton (3-6) at #4 Appleton City (7-2)

The Bulldogs have won 7 in a row, and have gotten stronger as the year has progressed. Last week's win over Concordia was Tipton's first road win of the year.
Prediction: App City gets it done.

#7 Lone Jack (2-7) at #2 Skyline (6-3) Class 1 #8

Skyline's tough game last week may give them extra focus heading into districts.
Prediction: No problem for Skyline.

CLASS 2

District 3

#8 Houston (1-8) at #1 Mt. View-Liberty (9-0) Class 2 #2

Just saw this game last week at Houston.
Prediction: Same result as last week. Liberty big.

#5 Willow Springs (5-4) at #4 Diamond (7-2)

Tough call on this one. The Bears have played the better schedule but are dealing with injury right now. Diamond is playing their best ball right now since losing to Sarcoxie.
Prediction: I think the Wildcats are at their best. I'll take Diamond.

#7 Cuba (1-7) at #2 Mountain Grove (8-1) Class 2 #4

The only real question here is how ticked off will the Panthers be that Thayer broke their shutout streak last week.
Prediction: Grove easily.

#6 Strafford (3-6) at #3 Ava (7-2)

The Indians looked great in beating Ash Grove last week. While Ava has looked great against everyone except Mt. View and Mountain Grove.
Prediction: Ava moves on.

District 4

#8 Warsaw (0-9) at #1 Lamar (8-0) Class 2 #1

Warsaw's 13 points per game versus Lamar's 51.
Prediction: Lamar.

#5 Versailles (3-6) at #4 Stockton (5-4)

Versailles is pretty offensively challenged averaging just over 11 points per game and getting shut out 3 times.
Prediction: Stockton catches the breaks & wins.

#7 California (2-7) at #2 Fair Grove (9-2) Class 2 #7

California has played a good schedule but have only scored 20 or more once this year. That won't cut it against the Eagles.
Prediction: Fair Grove.

#6 El Dorado Springs (3-6) at #3 Cole Camp (7-2)

The Bulldogs have played a tougher schedule, and even their most recent losses (East Newton by 1, Skyline by 8) look good.
Prediction: Give me the hot team, Bulldogs win.

CLASS 3

District 1

#5 Salem (5-4) at #4 Potosi (4-5)

Salem is still dealing with the loss of Zak Eplin and now face a Potosi squad that narrowly lost to Owensville to start the season.
Prediction: If Eplin was healthy, I'd take Salem. But I have to go with Potosi.

District 3

#8 Buffalo (2-7) at #1 Owensville (9-0)

Unbeaten, unranked, and averaging 45.7 points per game, the Dutchmen still don't have a signature win. Buffalo is riding a 6 game losing streak.
Prediction: Owensville moves on.

#4 Rogersville (4-5) at #5 Sullivan (4-5)

Sullivan is 4-1 since opening 0-4 and lost to Owensville by 3. Rogersville had their best offensive output of the year in last week win.
Prediction: I think Sullivan has just a little more in the tank.

#6 Eldon (5-4) at #3 Springfield Catholic (6-3)

Eldon is better than a 6 seed as their 4 losses have come to teams with a combined record of 32-3. The Irish can't afford a letdown after last week's big win.
Prediction: This could be one of the best 3/6 games in the state, but I think Catholic can power through.

District 4

#8 Aurora (2-7) at #1 Reeds Spring (7-2)

We've seen that the Wolves have some weaknesses that can be exploited, but I don't think Aurora has what it takes to take advantage.
Prediction: Wolves win.

#5 Hollister (5-4) at #4 Mt. Vernon (5-4)

Mt. Vernon just missed out on a 3rd place finish in the Big 8. While Hollister has already assured themselves of their best season ever.
Prediction: Not sure Hollister is ready to make the jump. Mt Vernon wins.

#7 Seneca (3-6) at #2 Monett (8-1) Class 3 #4

They had some close calls and some teams play them better than expected, but the Cubs just keep on winning. Seneca is one of those that played them better than expected.
Prediction: Cubs take care of business.

#6 East Newton (3-6) at #3 Cassville (7-2)

The Patriots did not go quietly the last time these two met and have improved since then. The Wildcats can't look ahead to Monett at all.
Prediction: I think Cassville remembers the first game with East Newton and stays focused for the win.

CLASS 4

District 4

#6 Rolla (1-8) at #3 St. Clair (5-4)

St. Clair hasn't beaten a winning team yet this year as their 5 wins came against teams with a combined 12-33 record. You see where this is going.
Prediction: Bulldogs, I'm talking to you. You're my upset special of the first round. Make me proud.

District 5

#8 McDonald County (0-9) at #1 Carl Junction (7-2) Class 4 #3

The newest Big 8 team against the last team to leave the Big 8.
Prediction: C.J. cruises.

#5 Bolivar (5-4) at #4 Hillcrest (4-5)

The Liberators have certainly found themselves after a rough start to the season. While the Hornets have not only exceeded expectations, but have become a legitimately dangerous team.
Prediction: I like Hillcrest at home.

#7 Marshfield (2-7) at #2 Webb City (6-3) Class 4 #8

The last time Webb City played just 10 games in a year was 1999. Their mystique may be missing this year, but they're still plenty good.
Prediction: Cardinals easily.

#6 West Plains (4-5) at #3 Camdenton (6-3)

In rematches of close games, the statistics tend to favor whoever lost the first game. But 2 things here. 1 - their first game wasn't as close as the final score as Hillcrest scored a couple of late TDs. 2 - West Plains is playing good but they still have a tendency to give up a lot of points. Camdenton is on their game right now & should take advantage of that.
Prediction: Camdenton.

District 6

#5 Nevada (2-7) at #4 Grandview (3-6)

Grandview opened the season 0-4 including a loss to Kearney that wasn't embarrasing.
Prediction: Nevada's season ends.

CLASS 5

District 4

#5 Waynesville (0-9) at #4 Branson (2-7)

If you're looking for a team that could get their first win in districts, Waynesville may be the best candidate. The Pirates have not looked as good after winning 2 as they did in the games before.
Prediction: You know what, I'm going with it just because one game always stuns people. Waynesville for the win.

#6 Springfield Central (0-9) at #3 Lebanon (6-3)

Lebanon is 2-2 at home this year, but they're averaging 39.5 points per game in those 4 games. That should be too much for the Bulldogs.
Prediction: Lebanon.

District 5

#5 Parkview (2-7) at #4 Willard (3-6)

The Vikings have dropped 5 in a row and just seem to be struggling. While Willard looks very dangerous lately.
Prediction: Willard wins to get another shot at Carthage.