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Regional football picks
By Joboo | November 5, 2008
Enough talk. We all know the pros and cons of the new playoff system in minute detail now. Let’s just play. Let the playoffs begin.
CLASS 1
- McAuley, 4-6 at Thayer, 8-1
- Huge challenge for McAuley. None of the 4 teams they beat this year won more than 2 games. Meanwhile, Thayer is rolling. Are they focused on proving the Liberty game was a fluke? Are they looking toward getting the title that evaded them last year? Either way, it’s working.
- Prediction: Thayer wins easily.
- Miller, 9-1 at Lockwood, 5-5
- They met earlier this year in Miller with the Cardinals winning 34-7. Lockwood is playing better now, but the competition has been much weaker. Miller has shown some chinks in their armor lately, but in an up and down year, this should be an up game.
- Prediction: It may be their last hurrah of the year, but I think Miller is on their game and win handily.
- Appleton City, 6-4 at Greenfield, 9-1
- Not as far apart as the records indicate. Appleton City lost by 3 at Rich Hill and beat Jasper and Osceola by scores comparable to Greenfield’s margins. But, they are not a high scoring team and Greenfield’s defense is underrated.
- Prediction: If Greenfield avoids the letdown from last week, they should have a fairly smooth ride here. Any letdown and the Bulldogs will take advantage.
CLASS 2
- Strafford, 7-3 at Liberty, 8-2
- The opposing defense appears to be the key to reading Strafford. If it’s a good one, they’ll struggle. If not, they will light it up. The only team to light up Liberty was Mountain Grove. Strafford’s 20 points against Liberty was the second most they game up in a game this year. Luke Yarber and the rest of the Eagles believe they’ve got what it takes and that’s as important as anything this time of year.
- Prediction: The first home playoff crowd in years for Liberty should propel them to the win.
- Houston, 6-4 at Fair Grove, 10-0
- Houston has had a serious roller coaster ride this year. They’ve went L-W-L-W-L-W in their last 6 games scoring 7, 39, 20, 56, 8, and 62 points. You can see what that points to. Fair Grove has played superlative football all season long. Having scored no less than 34, and given up no more than 18 which was in the first game of the season.
- Prediction: I think Fair Grove does better than their 7.2 ppg allowed and wins easily.
- Skyline, 6-4 at Lamar, 5-5
- To score on Lamar, you must be able to wear them down. In the Big 8, that happened a few times. Once they got into territory that wasn’t so imposing, their skill really started to shine. Despite some early season offensive fireworks, Skyline has only averaged 16 ppg over their last 4 games.
- Prediction: Lamar’s tough schedule continues to pay benefits and they win.
- Pierce City, 6-4 at Warsaw, 6-4
- After getting rolled by underrated Lamar, Pierce City gets underrated Warsaw. The Wildcats finished fourth in the tough Tri-County Conference and lost to 10-0 Holden. Pierce City came close to a breakthrough game when they lost in OT to Miller, but has yet to beat a team they weren’t supposed to. This could be one of the better games in the first round of the playoffs.
- Prediction: Warsaw is a tough place to play. I’ll give the Wildcats the edge.
CLASS 3
- Salem, 8-2 at Fulton, 8-2
- Salem is definitely in a much better place than in game 1 of the year. Their gutsy win over a determined Liberty team and great showing against title contender Sullivan shows they are dangerous against anyone. Fulton is a little harder to read. They rolled through a district that wasn’t very challenging. And their quality wins came against teams (Osage and Versailles) that have improved greatly later in the year.
- Prediction: This smells like a defensive battle. And Salem has shown their mettle in those.
- Rogersville, 7-3 at Osage, 6-4
- Osage started the year 0-3 under former Mt. Vernon boss Dan Henderson. Since then, they only have one slip up against California. Rogersville should be scoring more than they are with the athletes they have. But they have played well against good teams. They’ll have to show up here.
- Prediction: Henderson is a proven playoff coach. And the Indians are buying in. Osage to win.
- Versailles, 6-4 at Mountain Grove, 9-1
- Versailles started slow, going 1-2 out of the gate. since then, they’ve pitched 3 shutouts. But their best win came at home over Warsaw. Mountain Grove has been a house afire only dropping the game at Thayer and playing a close one with Rogersville. Evan Williams continues to pile up TDs.
- Prediction: The Panthers will be the highest quality team Versailles have faced. Their season ends in Mountain Grove.
- Cassville, 7-3 at Mt. Vernon, 5-5
- Both teams were suffering growing pains when Cassville won 28-7 in week two. Both have improved since then. But the matchup is still the same. The Mountaineers speed and big play ability against the defense, physicality, and conditioning of Cassville. Mt. Vernon has won a couple of physical games lately. Cassville has shown they can deal with speed.
- Prediction: The Wildcats believe in their system. I think they stick with it and win.
- Catholic, 4-6 at Monett, 10-0
- Monett’s offense may be up and down, but there is no denying their defense. Big, fast, smart, aggressive. And now they’ve given Kellen Bounous time to get comfortable at QB. Catholic has done well to get this far. But they can’t be prepared for the onslaught they’re about to face.
- Prediction: A walk in the park for the Cubs.
CLASS 4
- West Plains, 3-7 at Festus, 6-4
- West Plains has found their late season stride and the offense is really clicking. At times they are close to stoppable offensively. The defense continues to be another matter. Festus is capable of putting up points as they’ve averaged close to 40 ppg in their 6 wins. But they’ve averaged 6.25 in their 4 losses.
- Prediction: It’s gonna take a solid all-around team to down the Zizzers right now. And Festus isn’t it. West Plains.
- Willard, 2-8 at Union, 10-0
- Well, thanks for coming Willard. Jordan Webb leads an offensive juggernaut in Union. Willard could put up a good showing if they can put together some drives. But Unions defense is plenty strong also. I think this one get ugly in a hurry.
- Prediction: Willard gets turbo clocked the entire second half.
- Hillsboro, 3-7 at Bolivar, 9-1
- Bolivar continues to put up big points and leave the Mountain Grove game further behind them. Although it would be a mistake to underestimate the Hawks, Hillsboros game sets up perfectly for them.
- Prediction: Bolivar gets to take their shot at Union.
- Carthage, 8-2 at Neosho, 7-3
- Since their earlier meeting this year, these teams took very different paths. Neosho seemed to find a new resolve after the 55-27 loss. They gave Webb City a tough game, then rolled off 4 straight victories. Carthage seemed to lose themselves for the next three games, losing 2, before righting the ship the last 2 games of the season. Do we smell an upset?
- Prediction: If not for last week, I’d take Neosho here. But I think Carthage is refocused now. I think they win.
- Branson, 8-2 at Webb City, 10-0
- The Pirates have displayed some character this year that has made it a season to remember. They have beaten a host of good teams this year and have won some exciting close games. The Webb City game is their only real blemish. The Cardinals pushed them around all over the field. Webb City has the look of a championship team. They have beaten 6 playoff teams and have elevated their play in tough games.
- Prediction: Branson needs a near perfect game to have a shot here. Webb City is dialed in and should win.
CLASS 5
- Lebanon, 6-4 at Glendale, 4-6
- Very interesting matchup. Glendale has remade itself since their earlier 35-17 loss to the Yellowjackets. They’re averaging over 40 ppg in their 4 wins in the last 5 games. Lebanon continues to be steady offensively, but has been less productive against run-based teams. Most likely that’s due to fewer possessions but Lebanon’s defense hasn’t helped them either. They tend to allow whatever the opposition normally gets. Glendale has the home field and momentum on their side.
- Prediction: I’m going with Lebanon. I think Will Christian has the Jackets ready to play and they have a big offensive night.
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