Joboo's week 8 picks

We are coming down to it. And we are guaranteed to not know for sure who will be the COC Large champion until next week no matter what happens tonight as 5 times are still in the chase.  Some conference races are already settled, others will be partially decided tonight, and everyone is casting an eye toward district standings as the regular season is about to come to a close.  Here is what could happen tonight.

Game of the Week

• Nixa (5-2) at Ozark (5-2)
•  Lots at stake here as both teams still have a shot at the COC Large title if Carthage should lose.  The winner stays alive, the loser is out.  Ozark is making a living out of tough defense and timely offense mostly from QB Jack Hulse.  Defensively Preston Douglas and DE Solomon Douglas look to pressure opposing backfields and keep the running game between the tackles where they do a good job clogging up the lanes.  That's bad news for Nixa who leans on RB Nicos Oropeza for yards with QB Andrew Rivera also able to run it well.  This game has the look a feel of a match up that will turn on a big play or timely turnover.
• Prediction: I won't predict when a turnover will happen, but I think with their defense and being at home, Ozark takes it.

Big Games

• Fair Grove (7-0) Class 2 #7 at Ash Grove (6-1)
• Fair Grove already owns a share of the Mid-Lakes Conference championship.  The only question is will it be a shared title with Ash Grove, or will they stand alone?
• Prediction: Ash Grove's defense is a bad match up for Fair Grove, but I think the Eagles still have enough to get past the Pirates.
• Lebanon (5-2) at Kickapoo (6-1) Class 6 #8
• Both teams got more than they thought they would from West Plains over the last 2 weeks.  And both had strong second halves to win last week.  Both need this game.
• Prediction: Not picking against Kickapoo at home.
• Lamar (6-0) Class 2 #1 at Mount Vernon (5-2)
• Lamar finishes with Seneca at home so this is the last chance for them to drop a Big 8 game.  The Mountaineers have won 4 in a row while averaging just under 45 points per game.
• Prediction: One less day of rest is not problem for Lamar.  They win.
• Jayhawk-Linn, KS (5-0) at Drexel (5-2)
• The Drexel offense has been on fire averaging 42.75 points over the last 4 games including 58 last week.  But Jayhawk-Linn has allowed a total of 28 points during their 5-0 start.
• Prediction: Unlike KU, this is a good Jayhawk team.  They're too much for Drexel.
• Joplin (4-3) at Camdenton (5-2)
• A big game for both teams in regards to district seeding.  And I'm sure Joplin would like to depart the Ozark Conference with a winning record.
• Prediction: Camdenton has caught fire since losing to Kickapoo. They stay hot.

Other Games to Watch

• Neosho (5-2) at Webb City (4-3) Class 4 #8
• A big game with the COC Large still up for grabs.  Neosho controls their own fate, but faces a Webb City squad that wants to bounce back from last week's defeat.
• Prediction: Cardinals clean up their turnovers and win.
• Carthage (6-1) Class 5 #8 at Republic (2-5)
• A win here clinches at least a share of the conference crown for Carthage, but Republic will not be an easy out as Ozark found out.
• Prediction: Carthage stays on their game and gets another win. 
• Liberal (1-6) at Diamond (5-2)
• Thanks to Lockwood, a Diamond win gives them a share of the SRVC title.
• Prediction: The Wildcats take it.
• Miller (2-5) at Lockwood (6-1)
• Lockwood still has work to do in order to get their share of the championship as they face Jasper next week.
• Prediction: Lockwood keeps their title hopes alive.
• Reeds Spring (6-1) Class 3 #10 at Buffalo (2-5)
• This could be the night.  The Wolves can officially become the first COC Small team other than Bolivar to win the conference title as a win guarantees them at least a share.  But Buffalo won't just give it to them.
• Prediction: The Wolves get a chance to win it outright next week.
• Pittsburg, KS (3-2) at Carl Junction (5-2) Class 4 #4
• What's interesting here is that Pittsburg's 2 losses have both come to Missouri teams.  Harrisonville and Webb City.  How will the Bulldogs stack up and is the COC Large schedule wearing them down?
• Prediction: CJ's defense contains Pittsburg enough for the win.

Rest of the Schedule

• Cassville (5-2) at Aurora (1-6)
• River Phelps gets the attention, but the Wildcats have other weapons that have to be accounted for as well.  Just ask Monett about Kyle Ruark.
• Prediction: The Wildcats get another W.
• Cole Camp (6-1) at Osceola (0-7)
• Cole Camp is trying to nab the #1 spot in their district and Osceola is just finishing out the year.
• Prediction: No problem for Cole Camp.
• Mt. View-Liberty (7-0) Class 2 #2 at Salem (4-3)
• Only Salem and Houston stand between Liberty and another SCA title.  But a trip to Dent County is always dangerous.
• Prediction: Eagles avoid trouble and win.
• Monett (6-1) Class 3 #4 at Seneca (3-4)
• Strong ground games had had the most success against Monett this year, and Seneca has returned to their run first mentality of the past.  But Monett's defense may just be too much for them.
• Prediction: The Cubs hold strong and get win #7.
• Willard (1-6) at Branson (2-5)
• Willard continues to be a tough out.  While Branson has found some offense to add to a solid defense (allowing 20 ppg the last 5 weeks).
• Prediction: It's the COC Large. Who knows anymore?  Give me Branson.
• Marshfield (2-5) at Bolivar (4-3)
• Marshfield has yet to score more than 28 points in a game and has only scored over 20 3 times.  Meanwhile the Liberators defense has been strong in their 4 game win streak giving up just under 7 points per game.
• Prediction: Bolivar continues to climb.
• Appleton City (5-2) at Jasper (2-5)
• An interesting late season non-conference match up.  The Bulldogs have proven to be a pretty solid team.  How will they fare against Jasper who has won 2 of their last 4?
• Prediction: App City shows that they're a solid team with a win
• Skyline (4-3) Class 1 #10 at Marionville (2-5)
• The Tigers are rollin' at the right time and want to keep it going straight into districts.  The Comets have scored 90 points in their 2 wins, only 49 in their 5 losses.
• Prediction: Skyline with a comfortable win.
• Hillcrest (3-4) at Rolla (1-6)
• The Hornets continue to develop and get better, but Rolla plays competitive ball especially at home early.
• Prediction: Hornets trail then take the lead in the 2nd half for a win.
• Sherwood (0-7) at Adrian (4-3)
• Sherwood has been shutout 4 times this year and gives up just over 50 ppg.  Just what Adrian needs before facing Fair Grove next week.
• Prediction: Easy win for the Blackhawks.
• McDonald County (0-7) at East Newton (2-5)
• The Mustangs have played some solid games this season, so a win wouldn't surprise me.  But a win for East Newton guarantees that they won't finish last in the Big 8.
• Prediction: Taking the Patriots.
• Rich Hill (1-6) at Archie (1-6)
• I don't even know what to say for Archie anymore.  Every loss by a single score or less and they've had a lead in most of those.  Wow.
• Prediction: I'm sticking with them.  Archie for the win.
• Glendale (7-0) Class 5 #3 at Waynesville (0-7)
• Two teams headed in opposite directions.  But despite that, I think both teams still have better times ahead.
• Prediction: Glendale stays undefeated.
• Ava (5-2) at Cabool (0-7)
• The Bears have been rolling since losing to Grove and Liberty in back to back weeks.
• Prediction: Cabool won't stop that roll.  Ava big.
• Thayer (4-3) at Willow Springs (4-3)
• Thayer is 2-1 on the road this year with their only loss to Liberty.  The Bears are 1-2 at home having only beaten Marionville.  
• Prediction: Not as clear cut as I made it just sound, but I'll take Thayer.
• African Centered Prep (2-5) at Lincoln (7-0) Class 1 #4
• This is not a pushover for Lincoln.  The class 3 Knights have played a decent schedule including Helias.  Defense is their problem as they have given up 40.4 ppg in their 5 losses. 0 in their 2 wins.
• Prediction: Still going with the Cardinals.
• West Plains (2-5) at Parkview (2-5)
• The Vikings have fallen on hard times losing 3 in a row.  Meanwhile, West Plains is taking on the look of a team no one wants to face in the postseason.
• Prediction: Zizzers keep rising with a win.
• Lighthouse Christian (5-2) at Tipton (2-5)
• The final MSHSAA road game of the year should be a good test for the Chargers.  Tipton isn't the power they once were, but they're still solid at home.
• Prediction: I think the Chargers are playing well right now and win.
• Greenfield (7-0) 8-man #7 at Colony-Crest, KS (3-2)
• Probably the only thing you need to know about this game is that Marmaton Valley, who Greenfield beat 54-0, beat Crest 48-0.
• Prediction: Greenfield only plays a half for an easy win.
• East KC (0-7) at Cass-Midway (6-1)
• East is 0-7, but they have played a great schedule including Summit Christian, KC Center, and Hogan Prep.  This should be a fight.
• Prediction: I think the Vikings finally put their offense and defense together and win.
• Strafford (2-5) at Hollister (3-4)
• Everything seems to suggest that this will be a close game, and Strafford is 0-4 in games decided by a single score or less this year.  On the flip side, Hollister hasn't played a single score game so far this year.
• Prediction: Even if it is close, I think Strafford finds a way to win.
• Clinton (5-2) at Springfield Central (0-7)
• With an extra day of practise after their best game of the year last week, Central would love to get their first win at home before Chaminade comes calling.  But Clinton is not bad.  Their only losses at to KC Center and Odessa.
• Prediction: Bulldogs can't break through.
• Warrensburg (1-6) at Nevada (2-5)
• Nevada is coming off a thrashing last week, but they've won their last 2 games at home and want to finish with a win.
• Prediction: Should be a close one, but I'll take Nevada.
• Springfield Catholic (4-3) at Rogersville (3-4)
• The Irish have rushed for over 400 yards each of the last 2 games which bodes well as good rushing teams have done well against Rogersville.
• Prediction: Irish run to another win.
• Pierce City (3-2) at El Dorado Springs (2-5)
• The Bulldogs were oh so close to a 3 game winning streak last week.  Now they face Pierce City who has had an extra day to prepare.
• Prediction: The Eagles get a nice road win.
• Southern Boone County (5-2) at Warsaw (0-7)
• SoBoCo's only losses have come to Blair Oaks and Osage.  But Warsaw wants to finish strong in their last home game.
• Prediction: Too much from the Eagles as they beat Warsaw.
• Houston (1-6) at Mountain Grove (6-1) Class 2 #5
• If last week's 55-0 win over Salem was how the Panthers reacted to losing to Liberty, Houston better take cover.
• Prediction: The Grove cruises.
• Pleasant Hope (0-7) at Stockton (3-4)
• Stockton hasn't scored more than 20 points since week 1, but Pleasant Hope has been shut out the last 3 weeks in a row, and 4 of their last 5.
• Prediction: Stockton gets back to .500 on the year.