|
|
A pretty typical week 1. Some shocking results, some teams looking just as good as advertised, some HUGE performances, some fresh faces emerging, some questions answered, and some questions still open. The big question right now is “Who won between Ava and Strafford?” Usually we’d be pretty set on this point but multiple sources are reporting the score different ways. The score was 35-28. And it did go to overtime. That we know. Everyone agrees. But was it the Bears or the Indians? That’s the point of contention. Well I can say on good authority (i.e. someone who was actually at the game) that Ava did come out the winner. Now that we have that out of the way, it’s the moment you’ve all really been waiting for since last year’s Show-Me Bowls. Yes, we all enjoy the football games. But everybody loves the Ozarks favorite game…

Continue reading Week 1 Review
Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
It’s finally here! Let the trumpets be sounded forth. Slay the fatted calf. Prepare to make merry uponeth the greenery of many fields as dusk settleth over the earth. Yea verily, it is good and shall be good forevermore. Bringeth forth mistrials to delight our ears with the anthems of our lands. Set the musicians to play, the spotted hordes to cheer, and the young men who recalleth the titans of yore to clash within the arenas of our land as they seek to claim eternal, resplendent glory for themselves and their principalities!
In other words, let’s play some football. I’ll be doing an SCA swing this weekend starting in Mountain Grove to watch the Panthers clash with defending state class 3 champions Cassville. Then it’s off to Howell County for Hogan Prep and Mt. View-Liberty Saturday afternoon. More great games this opening week than I think I’ve ever seen before. So, town cryer, announceth the picks!
WEEK 1 PICKS
Game of the Week
- Hogan Prep at Mt. View-Liberty – Saturday at 1 PM
Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
Last year I was highly critical that the Ozarks wasn’t very well represented on the football academic all-state team. A grand total of 16 teams and 47 players from the Ozarks made it last year. Well let’s give a big round of applause to all the coaches who took the time to nominate their players this year because this year, the Ozarks are proudly represented by 27 teams and 88 players. Leading the way is Webb City with 8, Lebanon with 7, Fair Grove with 6, Springfield Catholic and Thayer each have 5, and Nixa, Neosho, Salem, Seneca, and state champion Cassville each place 4 players.
Twelve players make their second appearance on the team. They are Zach Cooley of Lebanon, Damian Fadl of Waynesville, Alex Wise of Neosho, Tanner Green and Ron Johnson of Nevada, Beau Bounous of Monett, Ben Selby of Reeds Spring, Ty Floyd and Kevin Presley of Salem, Max Jersak of Catholic, and Alec Hackett and Caleb Schaffitzel of Fair Grove. Continue reading 2009 MFBCA Football Academic All-State Team
Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
“Playoffs?” - Jim Mora
Yes, coach. We’re talking about the playoffs. Because they’re here. Thirty teams from the Ozarks seek the state championship in five different classifications. Thirty teams are done for the year. At least nine more schools will start basketball practice after tomorrow night. Here’s what to watch for.
CLASS 1
Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
Some teams rise up when the stakes are high. Others fall flatter than a Kansas wheat field. Seeing a team make the transition from one who falls to one who stands strong can be exhilarating. Watching a team go the other way can be painful beyond all measure. Friday’s action showed off some of both. And for many of you, you don’t have to search your memory very much to find those teams who have changed lately.
A couple examples of teams that have changed for the better? Cassville. 0-10 a few short years ago and a team that won only 1 district title from ’05 to ’07 despite losing only three games during that stretch. Now, the defending state champs have consecutive wins over excellent teams to win their district title. How about Lebanon? After breaking a 14 year losing streak to Camdenton last year, they put a huge crimp in the Lakers playoff fortunes by starting their own winning streak in the series. I won’t point out teams that have changed for the worse. I’m sure you can come up with those on your own.
Remember to slow down and savor your next to last helping of…

Continue reading Week 9 review
Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
What a week. Class 3 #1 Monett goes down hard. As does #6 Mountain Grove. A team wins on a safety. A running back averages almost 34 yards a carry. Class 4 #1 Webb City and class 1 #5 Thayer make big statements about their intentions. And 200 yard rushing games abound this week with at least 6 different runners hitting the mark. Now here’s your piping hot version of…

The Good
Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
|
|