The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - District Quarterfinals

No #1 or #2 seeds go down, some #3 seeds did though. I called a couple correctly, into the team I called out Rolla.  Thanks Bulldogs.  They won a great battle with St. Clair.  And El Dorado Springs came through for me as they continued their hot play.  Just missed on Jasper getting past Adrian.  And while I wasn't surprised to see Eldon defeat Springfield Catholic, I was surprised by how easily they did it. Nevada and West Plains both survived high drama, Lockwood comes from behind, and the semifinals are set.  That and more is all here in this 'staying alive' edition of...

The Good

• Memphis Homeschool (2-6) at Lighthouse Christian (6-3)
• Prediction: Last year the Chargers won 37-0.  I see more of the same.
• Result: Lighthouse Christian 52, Memphis Homeschool 0.  This one was over early as the Chargers led 29-0 after the first period and 45-0 at the half.
• Miller (2-7) at Ash Grove (6-3)
• Prediction: Not sure if the Pirates will the district, but they win this game.
• Result: Ash Grove 47, Miller 14.  This one was all about our player of the week, as the Pirates ran out to a 19-0 1st quarter lead and were up 26-6 at the half.
• Cabool (0-9) at Sarcoxie (5-3)
• Prediction: I think Sarcoxie rebounds from last week's loss.
• Result: Sarcoxie 31, Cabool 24.  The Bulldogs nearly pulled off another 1st round shocker behind the 145 yards rushing of Caleb Manning.  But down 24-14 with with under 6 minutes to go, Devon Middleton returned a kickoff for a touchdown, the Bears recovered a Cabool fumble and turned it into a field goal to tie the game, then Middleton scored with less than a minute to go to take the lead.  The Bulldogs drove deep into Sarcoxie territory but turned the ball over on downs.
• Pleasant Hope (1-8) at Thayer (4-5)
• Prediction: The Bobcats are wounded, but I think they win.
• Result: Thayer 53, Pleasant Hope 8.  Pleasant Hope recovered their onside kick to start the game, but that was the highlight of the 1st half as the Bobcats led 53-0 at the break. 8 different players scored for Thayer.
• Marionville (2-7) at Pierce City (4-3)
• Prediction: I don't think they get one here either.  Pierce City.
• Result: Pierce City 33, Marionville 0.  The Eagles scored 21 seconds into the game and their defense did the rest shutting out the Comets for their first playoff win since 2010. 
• Rich Hill (1-8) at Cass-Midway (8-1)
• Prediction: Cass-Midway.
• Result: Cass-Midway 44, Rich Hill 24.  The Vikings trailed at the half 21-14 as Rich Hill returned a fumble for a TD.  But the Viking defense came up big picking off 3 passes and holding Rich Hill to 4 yards rushing.
• Archie (2-7) at Drexel (6-3)
• Prediction: I think the Bobcats have gotten stronger as the year has progressed.  I'll take Drexel.
• Result: Drexel 36, Archie 17.  The Whirlwinds held tough for a while as the score at the half was 14-14.  But Drexel kept rolling on offense & shutdown Archie holding them to just a second half field goal.
• Liberal (2-7) at Lockwood (7-2)
• Prediction: Still going with Lockwood.
• Result: Lockwood 48, Liberal 28.  The Bulldogs led 16-0 and 22-6 in the first quarter before Lockwood got going leading 28-22 before Liberal tied it late in the first half.  But it was all Tigers in the second half.  Will Beerly with 101 yards and 4 TDs rushing and Jobe Edwards with 138 yards for Lockwood.
• Osceola (0-9) at Lincoln (9-0) Class 1  
• Prediction: Lincoln big.
• Result: Lincoln 48, Osceola 0.  Another blowout for the Cardinals as Boone Kroenke tossed 4 TD passes and Derek Stephens rushed for 100 yards on just 8 carries.
• Tipton (3-6) at Appleton City (7-2)
• Prediction: App City gets it done.
• Result: Appleton City 60, Tipton 32.  Billy Prater went 5 for 5 passing for 240 yards and 3 TDs, and Tyler Foley rushed for 212 yards and 2 TDs as the Bulldogs blew past Tipton in the second half, pulling away from a 21-20 halftime score.
• Lone Jack (2-7) at Skyline (6-3) Class 1  
• Prediction: No problem for Skyline.
• Result: Skyline 65, Lone Jack 0.  A balanced attack for the Tigers.  Shawn Bryan scored 4 TDs rushing including a 92 yarder.  QB Trevor Russell ran in 2 TDs and passed for 2 more.  Gage Gunter caught a 27 yard TD pass and ran for scores of 40 and 59 yards.
• Houston (1-8) at Mt. View-Liberty (9-0) Class 2
• Prediction: Same result as last week.  Liberty big.
• Result: Mt. View-Liberty 55, Houston 0. 49-0 at the half as the Eagles rolled.  Brenton Bush with 5 catches, 114 yards, and a TD to break the Mt. View record for catches in a single season. 
• Willow Springs (5-4) at Diamond (7-2)
• Prediction: I think the Wildcats are at their best.  I'll take Diamond.
• Result: Diamond 27, Willow Springs 24. Exactly what a 4/5 game should be as they went at it all night. The Bears took a 6-0 lead but Diamond rallied to go up 14-6.  The Bears then went up 18-14 at the half and extended the lead to 24-14 going into the 4th.  But Diamond would rally scoring twice to go up 27-24 with just over 4 minutes to go. With plenty of time left on the clock, Willow Springs would see their final 2 possessions ended by Hunter Renfro as he picked off Bear passes each time to preserve the win.  Triston Shepherd had 166 yards and 3 TDs for Diamond while Tre Talbert added 126 yards and 2 scores for Willow.
• Cuba (1-7) at Mountain Grove (8-1) Class 2  
• Prediction: Grove easily.
• Result: Mountain Grove 62, Cuba 28.  Wow!  Chance Barbe with 220 yards and 5 TDs on 8 carries, Trystan Short 202 yards and 3 TDs on 7 touches. 
• Strafford (3-6) at Ava (7-2)
• Prediction: Ava moves on.
• Result: Ava 18, Strafford 0.  Scoreless at the half, Ava found their offense in the second half while holding Strafford to just 121 yards for the game.
• Warsaw (0-9) at Lamar (8-0) Class 2
• Prediction: Lamar.
• Result: Lamar 64, Warsaw 3.  The Tigers led 56-3 at the half.  8 different Tigers scored as they cruise.
• Versailles (3-6) at Stockton (5-4)
• Prediction: Stockton catches the breaks & wins.
• Result: Stockton 28, Versailles 21.  The Tigers took a 16-7 halftime lead and held Versailles at arms length the rest of the way.  Mason Brown rushed for 105 yards and Jake Wheeler with 2 TD passes and 2 TD runs. 
• California (2-7) at Fair Grove (9-2) Class 2
• Prediction: Fair Grove.
• Result: Fair Grove 59, California 24.  Dalton Cloyd took the opening kickoff 87 yards to the house and the Eagles were up 33-6 at the end of the first quarter.  They led 47-12 just 15 seconds into the 3rd quarter to turn on the turbo clock and effectively seal the game.  Cloyd would finish with 142 yards and 2 TDs rushing.
• El Dorado Springs (3-6) at Cole Camp (7-2)
• Prediction: Give me the hot team, Bulldogs win.
• Result: El Dorado Springs 26, Cole Camp 6.  Up 18-6 at the half, the Bulldog defense would not yield again.  El Do would seal the game with a score in the 4th quarter to win their 4th game in 6.
• Salem (5-4) at Potosi (4-5)
• Prediction: If Eplin was healthy, I'd take Salem.  But I have to go with Potosi.
• Result: Potosi 34, Salem 24.  A gallant effort by the Tigers.  A 12 play 79 yard drive gave Salem a 6-0 halftime lead.  And they would lead 12-7 before Potosi got going taking a 20-12 lead.  The Tigers would pull within 20-18, and 28-24 with 53 seconds left.  But Potosi returned the onside kick to the house for the final score.  Xavier Elwood with 132 yards and 3 TDs rushing for Salem.
• Buffalo (2-7) at Owensville (9-0)
• Prediction: Owensville moves on.
• Result: Owensville 69, Buffalo 28.  The Dutchmen led this one 56-7 at the half as they made quick work of it.
• Rogersville (4-5) at Sullivan (4-5)
• Prediction: I think Sullivan has just a little more in the tank.
• Result: Sullivan 46, Rogersville 30.  The 3rd quarter did in the Wildcats.  Trailing 20-18 at the half, Rogersville yielded 2 TDs in the 3rd to let Sullivan stretch the lead to 33-18.  Rogersville would pull within 33-30 with over 9 minutes remaining.  But that would be it for Rogersville.
• Aurora (2-7) at Reeds Spring (7-2)
• Prediction: Wolves win.
• Result: Reeds Spring 28, Aurora 18.  The Houn Dawgs made it interesting using 3 turnovers to turn a 14-0 1st quarter deficit into a 14-12 halftime game.  But Aurora would not find the end zone again until 6 minutes left in the game.  Meanwhile Colter Whitten scored twice in the second half and finished with 193 yards rushing to fight off the upset bid.
• Hollister (5-4) at Mt. Vernon (5-4)
• Prediction: Not sure Hollister is ready to make the jump.  Mt Vernon wins.
• Result: Mt. Vernon 44, Hollister 20.  The Mountaineers led 20-8 at the half and kept the pedal down for the win.  Garrett Hadlock's 3 passing TDs and Sammy Robinson's 113 yards and 2 TDs outdistanced Jackson Bekemeier's 269 yards and 3 TDs.
• Seneca (3-6) at Monett (8-1) Class 3  
• Prediction: Cubs take care of business.
• Result: Monett 35, Seneca 11.  7-3 at the half in favor of Monett, the Cubs still lead just 14-3 going into the 4th.  But they broke it open with 21 straight points.  Michael Branch with 3 rushing TDs.
• East Newton (3-6) at Cassville (7-2)
• Prediction: I think Cassville remembers the first game with East Newton and stays focused for the win.
• Result: Cassville 63, East Newton 15.  The Patriots made it interesting scoring with 2:15 left in the first half to make it 28-15, but the second half was all Cassville.  River Phelps with 6 TDs and 223 yards rushing.
• Rolla (1-8) at St. Clair (5-4)
• Prediction: Bulldogs, I'm talking to you.  You're my upset special of the first round.  Make me proud.
• Result: Rolla 38, St. Clair 34.  The Bulldogs led most of the game but found themselves trailing 34-31 late.  But Rolla drove the field and QB Josh Pritchett took it in on 3rd and goal with 1:16 remaining to take the lead for good.  St. Clair had one more shot but Blayne Yarger intercepted their last gasp inside the 5 yard line to finish it off.  3 rushing TDs for Pricthett.
• McDonald County (0-9) at Carl Junction (7-2) Class 4
• Prediction: C.J. cruises.
• Result: Carl Junction 56, McDonald County 12.  Over real early as the Bulldogs led 35-0 after the 1st, and 56-6 at the half. 
• Marshfield (2-7) at Webb City (6-3) Class 4  
• Prediction: Cardinals easily.
• Result: Webb City 49, Marshfield 14.  Dominant performance from the Cardinals who led 28-0 after the first quarter.  They more than doubled Marshfield's offensive output.
• Springfield Central (0-9) at Lebanon (6-3)
• Prediction: Lebanon.
• Result: Lebanon 51, Springfield Central 24.  John Berry scored the first 2 times he touched the ball gaining 90 yards on those 2 runs.  That was it for the night and the Yellowjackets rolled.
• Parkview (2-7) at Willard (3-6)
• Prediction: Willard wins to get another shot at Carthage.
• Result: Willard 43, Parkview 14. 458 rushing yards for the Tigers as they were in control from the outset leading 22-0 at the half.  193 yards for Nate Swadley and Brock Howard with 157 yards.
• Republic (2-7) at Neosho (5-4)
• Prediction: The Wildcats get one for the home fans.
• Result: Neosho 35, Republic 7.  14-0 after the first as the Wildcats took control early.  James Renfro with a pair of rushing TDs for Neosho.
• Lee's Summit North (2-7) at Kickapoo (8-1) Class 6
• Prediction: Kickapoo.
• Result: Kickapoo 45, Lee’s Summit North 13.  The Chiefs led 24-0 at the half and 45-0 before the Broncos scored.  Chris Lawson led the way with 25 carries for 105 yards and 4 TDs.
• Joplin (5-4) at Lee's Summit West (7-2) Class 6
• Prediction: Titans move on.
• Result: Lee’s Summit West 42, Joplin 7.  21-0 Titans at the half and Joplin was never in it as they had their lowest offensive output of the year.

The Bad

• Jasper (3-6) at Adrian (5-4)
• Prediction: I'm going with the hot hand, Jasper.
• Result: Adrian 21, Jasper 13.  Logan Harris found the end zone in each of the first 2 periods to give Adrian a 14-0 halftime lead, and would return an interception in the 3rd to make it 21-0.  But Jasper would score twice within 5 minutes to make it 21-13 with under 4 minutes to go.  But that would be it for Jasper.
• West Plains (4-5) at Camdenton (6-3)
• Prediction: Camdenton.
• Result: West Plains 29, Camdenton 28.  Camdenton led 14-7 at halftime but the real fun started with under 4 minutes to play when Keegan Hoopes scored his 2nd TD and the Zizzers converted the 2-point try for the 1 point lead.  The Zizzers stopped Camdenton on down and seemed to have the game in hand, but a bad snap was recovered by Camdenton to give them the ball on the Zizzer 45 yard line.  Camdenton drove to the 23 line and attempted a 23 yard field goal to win.  It sailed wide but West Plains was called for roughing the kicker.  Camdenton went for the touchdown and Jay Griffin found the end zone, but a holding penalty brought it back.  So the Lakers tried a second field goal.  This won was blocked by the Zizzers to save the win.
• Nevada (2-7) at Grandview (3-6)
• Prediction: Nevada's season ends.
• Result: Nevada 21, Grandview 20.  Great win for Nevada as they stop a Grandview 2-point conversion with 59 seconds to go to advance.  Grandview led 8-7 at halftime, but Zach Gardner would score from 5 yards out in the 3rd, and from 4 yards out with 7 minutes to go for the lead.
• Waynesville (0-9) at Branson (2-7)
• Prediction: You know what, I'm going with it just because one game always stuns people.  Waynesville for the win.
• Result: Branson 15, Waynesville 6.  A Jordan Villalobos field goal, A Luke Masters 53 yard TD catch, and a Chad UtzmanTD run was all the Pirates needed to down the Tigers who squandered a number of chances after getting 4 turnovers in the first half.

The Ugly

• Eldon (5-4) at Springfield Catholic (6-3)
• Prediction: This could be one of the best 3/6 games in the state, but I think Catholic can power through.
• Result: Eldon 32, Springfield Catholic 0.  No surprise that Eldon won, but the dominating fashion in which they did it was impressive as they held Catholic to just 64 yards rushing.
• Bolivar (5-4) at   Hillcrest (4-5)
• Prediction: I like Hillcrest at home.
• Result: Bolivar 55, Hillcrest 24.  A relentless attack from Bolivar allowed them to run past Hillcrest.  Brandon Emmert had 10 catches for 151 yards and 3 TDs and Lane Loomer added 133 yards and 2 TDs on the ground.

Player of the Week: Spencer Eagleburger, RB, Ash Grove. 33 carries, 399 yards rushing, 4 TDs.

• The Pirates were in free fall going 1-3 after a 5-0 start and averaging less than 7 points per game in the 3 losses.  Eagleburger helped put the Pirates back on track with a spectacular night going for almost 400 yards as Ash Grove advances to the district semifinals.

Record for the Week: 34-6, .850.  My lifetime percentage in week 10 games is .849.  So it was an average week by that standard.

Overall Record: 320-66, .829.  The most games I've ever picked in a single season is 395. I'll pass that this week.  Even with that many games, my percentage is currently the 2nd best I've ever had.  I'm good with that.