Midseason football review

We’ve reached the halfway point of the 2008 season (or 1/3 of the way if you count the playoffs).  And the class 5 super districts begin district play this week.  So let’s take a moment before we launch into this Friday’s action and reset where the season is at, update conference races, and look back at best team and individual performances.

WEEK 1 - The clash of the titans in Harrisonville goes to Webb City as the visitors win 27-21 with the entire state watching.  Waynesville and Camdenton both get upset the opening week.  The Tigers dropping a 11-8 decision to Jeff City Helias.  The Lakers getting ambushed by Kickapoo 24-21 in Springfield.  Cassville allows 19 first quarter points to Branson as the Pirates get past them 25-14 to open with a win.  Ryan Howerton opens everyone’s eyes with a huge night passing for 485 yards and 8 TDs in Lebanon’s 61-36 win.

WEEK 2 – Thayer wins the big battle of the week downing state-ranked Mountain Grove 21-13.  Webb City and Monett both show their grit in tough wins.  The Cards follow up their big week 1 win by downing Rogers, AR 36-33.  While Monett travels to Marshfield and comes away a 14-12 winner.  Waynesville and Camdenton both bounce back from disappointing losses.  Joplin and West Plains combine for over 110 points and a 1,000 yards of offense as Joplin prevails 56-48.  Central and Diamond both break long losing streaks.

WEEK 3 – Bolivar gets their biggest challenge of the young season against Rogersville but pulls it out 35-28.  Fair Grove went on the road and took it to East Newton to send a message that they’re for real.  As did Rolla by thrashing Kickapoo.  Evan Williams was a one man wrecking crew in Mountain Groves 42-28 defeat of Liberty scoring 6 TDs and rushing for over 450 yards.  Buffalo, Lamar, McAuley, Republic, and Sarcoxie get their first W.  Ash Grove, East Newton, Greenfield, Liberty, Marionville, and Osceola lose their first.  13 unbeatens and 14 winless team remain.

WEEK 4 - Liberty downing unbeaten Thayer 14-7 is the big news of the week.  The Eagles felt they  were due for a good season and this game really got them going after the loss to Mountain Grove.  Neosho drops their first game when they can’t convert a 2-point conversion for the win.  Lamar gets a eye-opening win against East Newton.  As does Branson against Marshfield to stay undefeated.  Lockwood and Willow Springs gets their first wins.  Houston, Joplin, Neosho, and Thayer fall from the ranks of the unbeaten.  9 unbeatens left.  12 no win teams remain.

WEEK 5 - 1 and 58.  Parkview breaks the streak on a field goal in double overtime.  Josh Buford is the hero.  Monett crushes Carl Junction in a battle of unbeatens 48-2.  Rolla also get thumped by Joplin to end their quest for a perfect season. Mt. Vernon and Parkview get first wins.  Carl Junction and Rolla drop their first games.  7 unbeaten teams left.  10 teams with no wins.

CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Big 8

1. Monett            5-0   2-0
2. Cassville         4-1   3-0
3. Carl Junction   4-1   4-1
4. East Newton    3-2  1-1
5. Seneca            2-3   2-1
6. Lamar             2-3   2-3
7. Mt. Vernon     1-4   0-4
8. Aurora            0-5   0-4

COC-Large

1. Carthage     5-0    4-0
2. Branson      5-0     2-0
3. Webb City   5-0     3-0
4. Neosho       3-2    1-2
5. Nixa            2-3    2-3
6. Ozark          2-3    2-3
7. Republic     1-4     0-2
8. Willard        0-5    0-4

COC-Small

1. Bolivar             5-0    3-0
2. Marshfield       3-2    2-0
3. Rogersville      3-2    2-1
4. Buffalo            2-3    1-1
5. Catholic          1-4    0-3
6. Reeds Spring   0-5    0-2

Mid-Lakes

1. Fair Grove        5-0   2-0
2. Skyline             4-1   3-1
3. Ash Grove        3-2   2-0
4. Strafford          3-2   2-0
5. Marionville       2-3   1-3
6. Pleasant Hope  0-5   0-2
7. Stockton          0-5   0-4

Ozark Conference

1. Waynesville  4-1   4-0
2. Camdenton  4-1   4-1
3. Joplin           4-1   4-1
4. Rolla             4-1   3-1
5. Lebanon       3-2   3-1
6. Kickapoo      3-2   3-2
7. Parkview       1-4   1-3
8. Hillcrest        1-4   1-4
9. Glendale        0-5   0-5
10. West Plains    0-5   0-5

South Central Association

1. Mountain Grove   4-1   4-0
2. Salem                  4-1   3-1
3. Liberty                 4-1   2-1
4. Houston              3-2   2-2
5. Ava                      2-3   1-2
6. Cabool                 1-4   1-4
7. Willow Springs     0-5   0-3

Spring River Valley

1. Miller           5-0   5-0
2. Greenfield    4-1   3-1
3. Pierce City   3-2   3-1
4. Liberal         3-2   3-2
5. Sarcoxie      2-3   1-2
6. Diamond     1-4   1-3
7. Lockwood   1-4   0-3
8. Jasper          0-5   0-4

Independents & others

1. Thayer                    4-1
2. Osceola                  3-2    1-2 in the WEMO
3. Central                    2-3
4. El Dorado Springs   2-3
5. McAuley                  2-3
6. McDonald County   0-5

Undefeated teams remaining

• Bolivar
• Branson
• Carthage
• Fair Grove
• Miller
• Monett
• Webb City

Winless teams remaining

• Aurora
• Glendale
• Jasper
• McDonald County
• Pleasant Hope
• Reeds Spring
• Stockton
• West Plains
• Willard
• Willow Springs

Surprise teams

• Branson – All those who thought Branson would be 5-0 at this point, raise your hand.  Yeah, neither did I.
• Houston – Nice bounce back year after winless 2006 and 2007.
• Liberty – The Eagles have taken a much bigger step forward than we thought they would.
• Rolla – Until they met Joplin, they were dominating teams
• Skyline – Have already passed last years win total.  Only loss to Fair Grove.

Disappointing teams

• Cabool – Preseason top 10 ranking a distant memory.
• Glendale – Tough schedule but lack of points is shocking.
• Lockwood – Lost some key players to graduation, but not enought to explain 1-4.
• Republic – On the upswing after last year, the Tigers have come back to earth.
• Stockton – Had some losses also, but they are just not good.

TOP 5

Class 5 & 6

Tigers are rolling after loss to tough Helias squad to open season.  Camdenton continues to hang tough despite loss to Kickapoo.  Joplin can flat score points an showed they know how to shut down a running game last week.  Rolla is still potent despite losing first game last week.  Nice wins at home against the Lakers and Lebanon give Kickapoo the 5 spot.

1. Waynesville
2. Camdenton
3. Joplin
4. Rolla
5. Kickapoo

Class 4

Carthage seems bored at times.  Can’t overlook Branson this Friday.  Webb City has proven they belong at the top.  Can they maintain that level of play.  Bolivar rolls along steamrolling opponents.  Branson faces three big games in a row.  Carthage, Webb City, and Neosho.  The Blue Jays losses are to opponents with a combined record of 10-0.

1. Carthage
2. Webb City
3. Bolivar
4. Branson
5. Marshfield

Class 3

There is no doubt that the Cubs are legitimate title contenders based on defense alone.  The Panthers have recovered from the Thayer loss quite well.  Cassville continues to gain steam but can’t look ahead to week 8 clash with Monett.  Salem has been untouchable since opening week loss.  Only 2 losses for Rogersville are to undefeated teams.

1. Monett
2. Mountain Grove
3. Cassville
4. Salem
5. Rogersville

Class 2

Fair Grove the class of this group at this point.  Liberty’s big win over Thayer has their confidence on the rise.  Strafford is still dangerous with their ability to control the line.  Skyline gets their chance to prove themselves against Ash Grove and Strafford over the next 2 weeks.  Pirates still inconsistent, but dangerous.

1. Fair Grove
2. Liberty
3. Strafford
4. Skyline
5. Ash Grove

Class 1

We’ll get to see this one settled on the field come district time when Miller and Thayer meet.  Greenfield’s only loss is to Miller.  Liberal has played both Pierce City & Miller tough.  Osceola has a killer schedule to round out the season.

1. Miller
2. Thayer
3. Greenfield
4. Liberal
5. Osceola

OVERALL TOP 15

1. Carthage
2. Webb City
3. Waynesville
4. Monett
5. Camdenton
6. Bolivar
7. Joplin
8. Branson
9. Rolla
10. Fair Grove
11. Mountain Grove
12. Marshfield
13. Kickapoo
14. Cassville
15. Miller

Most Outstanding Player candidates

Around here, we distinguish between ‘most outstanding’ and ‘most valuable’.  Most outstanding player is the one with the most incredible individual accomplishments relative to their peers.

• Ryan Howerton, QB – Lebanon
• Caleb Schaffitzel, RB – Fair Grove
• Cameron Fore, RB – Rolla
• Tommy Meyers, RB – West Plains
• Jordan Nuckolls, QB – Ozark
• Dane Kolkmeyer, WR – Joplin

Most Valuable Player candidates

Most valuable player will be the player that makes the biggest impact on their teams success.  If you take them away from the team, it has the biggest impact.

• Mack Kyle, QB/LB – Webb City
• Luke Yarber, QB – Liberty
• Trey Derryberry, QB/DB – Carthage
• Caleb Schaffitzel, RB/DB – Fair Grove
• Devin St. Clair, QB – Joplin
• Monett’s defense
• Justin Jack, QB – Miller
• Jacob Eckman, QB/LB – Thayer
• Jared Frey, QB/DB – Pierce City
• Braxton Baker, RB/LB – Webb City
• Derek Lee, RB/LB – Bolivar