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2009 Regional Football Preview

“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

Lockwood (6-4) at Thayer (8-1)
- This one is simple. Can Lockwood contain the running attack of the Bobcats? Josh Huckabee is the big dog. But Cameron Carey & Ethan Leisenring are equally able to run for big yards. The weather should be good giving the Tigers and Blake Abbiatti a chance to make some yards through the air. But if the defense doesn’t play their best game, it won’t matter.
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Week 9 review

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…

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Week 8 review

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

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Week 6 review

When did basketball season start? Seriously. 54-41? 60-41? 69-63? 7-6? Oh wait, that’s more like it. Yes it was an offense happy week 6. But the defense was still out there. Nixa & Camdenton played a 7-6 headknocker. Pierce City & Miller only put up 25 points combined, and even #1 Monett only managed 14 points in their 14-7 win over Aurora. Ava & Mt. View-Liberty setup a big matchup next week. Osceola got a little help from the team they need to beat Friday. And Ozark & Kickapoo got their district campaigns off to good starts. Read all about it.

Because I’m still not happy, until all the ugly is eliminated from…

The Good Continue reading Week 6 review

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2009 Independent Football Predictions

The life of the independent just gets harder and harder it seems. Of the five truly independent teams in the area, two made the playoffs in 2008. And both of those have affiliations with established conferences. Thayer with the SCA, and McAuley with the Spring River Valley. Can one of the true independents make the leap this year? Continue reading 2009 Independent Football Predictions

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2008 All-Ozarks Football Team

The News-Leader released their 2008 All-Ozarks Football team today. You can view the entire first and second teams here.

As far as selections go, I won’t complain too much. Only 2 Springfield players were included on the first team so it’s definitely not Springfield heavy. A little light on the smaller schools as usual. But Fair Grove’s Caleb Schaffitzel, Tyler Evans of Strafford, and Brandon Verfurth of Marionville give decent representation. Only two minor complaints really. 1 – Not one player from the SCA. With both Mountain Grove and Liberty having great years, someone should have been included. 2 – Only Ethan Leisenring makes it from Thayer as the 2nd team punter. Somebody else from the Bobcats deserved a spot. Other than that, it’s a decent list.
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2008 Class 1 All-State Football Team

Thayer deservedly grabs a huge presence on the Class 1 all-state team. 5 first team players including offensive player of the year Jacob Eckman, 8 players overall, and 9 positions covered as Ethan Leisenring gets selected at 2 positions. Greenfield nabs 6 all-state selections. McAuley and Miller each get 3 players selected, with McAuley’s Rocky Spry doing double duty at both DB and kick returner. And Lockwood gets one pick to round out the area selections.

Missouri Football Coaches Association Class 1 All-State Team

Offensive Player of the Year - Jacob Eckman, Thayer
Defensive Player of the Year – Leslee Eubank, Orrick
Coach of the Year – Pat Richard, Orrick

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Class 1 Show-Me Bowl recap

I remember in 1986 when Camdenton tied for the state title with Marshall 20-20. No overtime was allowed in the championship game then, and at the time I thought “That’s stupid.” Every other game played during the regular season and playoffs used the overtime formula we now know to decide a winner, but not the title game. 22 years later, after watching Orrick & Thayer play through all the twists and turns of the state title contest yesterday including questionable officiating, high drama, crushing disappointment, an amazing out-of-nowhere last second scoring play, and 2 overtimes, I can finally understand why they had the no championship OT system in place.
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State football semifinal review

Civil War Saturday ended in a decisive win for the South as the Ozarks claimed 3 of 4 games. The #1 teams in class 3 and 4 saw their seasons end as Chillicothe fell to Cassville 14-13, and Kearney was upended by Webb City 14-7. Thayer gets their rematch with Orrick after trouncing Tipton 13-0. And Fair Grove sees their season end at the hands of the true #1 in class 2. Here’s all the news that is news.

CLASS 1

Thayer, 11-1 at Tipton, 13-0
- This is a great matchup for Thayer. They won’t put up 70 like they did against McAuley, but they should be able to top 14. Which is the most anyone has hung on Tipton this year. Tipton has not seen an offensive attack as multi-dimensional as Thayer’s this year. With Jacob Eckman and Josh Huckabee leading the way, should be able to win the ball control battle. On defense, the Bobcats need to sell out to stop the run and make Tipton pass to win. They haven’t been very successful in doing that but their defense has been strong enough to get them through.

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Topics

2009 Regional Football Preview

Week 9 review

Week 8 review

Week 6 review

2009 Independent Football Predictions

2008 All-Ozarks Football Team

2008 Class 1 All-State Football Team

Class 1 Show-Me Bowl recap

State football semifinal review

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