Week 10 review

It was simply a glorious couple of nights for football.  While I enjoy catching a game indoors, I think football should be played outside.  The elements are part of the game.  And Thursday night was a football cathedral.  Wind & rain.  Mud & muck.  Slipping, sliding, sloshing.  It was beautiful man.  A perfect end to a great regular season.  Yes, some teams lost that wouldn’t have if the weather had cooperated.  But that’s just another nuance that we all love.  Unless it’s your team that loses.

Last year I picked the playoff games and did really freaking good.  But, I’m not doing it again.  I’m going to sit back and enjoy them myself instead of rooting for someone because I picked them.  You’ll still get a preview before each round so you’ll know what to look for.  But I’m shutting down the prediction machine until next year.  I’m done channeling my inner Carnac.  The crystal ball has left the building.

Shed no tears my friends as we say good bye to this year’s last…

The Good

• Warsaw (9-0) (#4 class 2) at El Dorado Springs (6-3) – Thursday
  • Prediction: El Do takes the consolation prize as Warsaw romps.
  • Result: Warsaw 14, El Dorado Springs 8 (4 OT).  No romp at all.  Tied 8-8 at the end of regulation, it took 4 overtime periods for anyone to score.
• Mt. View-Liberty (7-2) at Willow Springs (4-5) – Thursday
  • Prediction: The Eagles win going away.
  • Result: Mt. View-Liberty 26, Willow Springs 7.  The Bears lead 7-0 at the half as the Eagles had 4 turnovers in the rain.  But they stormed back in the second behind Daniel Porter’s 161 yards and 2 TDs.
• Willard (1-8) at Hillcrest (5-4) – Thursday
  • Prediction: The Roweton brothers may be sharing some information, but I think Hillcrest still takes it.
  • Result: Hillcrest 31, Willard 7.  The Tigers got on the board first, but it was all downhill from there.  Mitch Jenkins lead the way with 2 TD runs and a TD pass.
• Osceola (6-3) at Liberal (5-4) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Liberal powers their way to the win.
  • Result: Liberal 50, Osceola 0.  The Bulldogs just out muscled the Indians all over the field.  Too much strength and no flash in the weather.
• Marionville (4-5) at Miller (7-2) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Miller gets back on track.
  • Result: Miller 35, Marionville 0.  Tyler Hinshaw catches 2 TD passes from Justin Jack, runs for a third, and the Cardinals pile up 326 rushing yards.
• Mountain Grove (7-2) (#7 class 3) at Ava (7-2) – Friday
  • Prediction: Too much ground power for the Bears.  Panthers win.
  • Result: Mountain Grove 27, Ava 0.  Three rushing TDs for Evan Williams and the fifth shutout of the year for the Panther defense.
• Monett (8-1) (#5 class 3 ) at Seneca (6-3) – Thursday
  • Prediction: The Indians are too strong up from for the Cubs.  Seneca wins.
  • Result: Seneca 28, Monett 6.  The Indian defense shut down Christian Privett, and Dillon Webb ran for 186 yards and 2 TDs.
• Mt. Vernon (4-5) at Aurora (2-7) – Thursday
  • Prediction: The Dawgs bring the heat on Corey Phillips and get the win.
  • Result: Aurora 8, Mt. Vernon 0.  The Houn Dawgs get a second quarter TD after an interception gives them a short field.
• Sarcoxie (4-5) at Jasper (7-2) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Jasper wins the game and the district.
  • Result: Jasper 8, Sarcoxie 6. A late 88 yard TD drive capped by Austin Spencer’s 2 point conversion gave Jasper the lead. A Sarcoxie field goal that feel short gave them the championship.
• McAuley (0-9) at Lockwood (5-4) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Lockwood.
  • Result: Lockwood 30, McAuley 8.  Four rushing TDs and 250 yards rushing secure second place for the Tigers.
• Carl Junction (5-4) at Webb City (9-0) (#1 class 4) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Webb City caps an undefeated regular season.
  • Result: Webb City 54, Carl Junction 0. Four TD passes for Patrick Drake, three TD catches for Boo Rodgers, and the sixth straight undefeated regular season for Webb City.
• Carthage (7-2) at Nevada (3-6) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Carthage with the win.
  • Result: Carthage 42, Nevada 6.  Brian Poston goes for 228 and 4 TDs on the ground as Carthage leaves no doubt about their playoff chances.
• Diamond (1-8) at Pierce City (5-4) – Thursday
  • Prediction: The Eagles win easily.
  • Result: Pierce City 40, Diamond 0.  Curtis Palmer scores 3 TDs for the Eagles as they advance to face Warsaw.
• Lamar (3-6) at Stockton (3-6) – Friday
  • Prediction: Lamar goes 3-0 in the district.
  • Result: Lamar 49, Stockton 8.  Another dominating performance, and another district title for Lamar.
• Glendale (2-7) at Nixa (6-3) – Friday
  • Prediction: Nixa takes it easily.
  • Result: Nixa 35, Glendale 7.  284 rushing yards for the Eagles including 146 and 2 TDs from Jordan Keeney in 2 & 1/2 quarters of work.
• Bolivar (8-1) (#6 class 4) at Marshfield (4-5) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Bolivar’s JV sees a lot of action.
  • Result: Bolivar 30, Marshfield 0.  After a slow start, Bolivar takes control with three Josh Moffett TD runs in the second quarter.
• Greenfield (8-1) (#8 class 1) at Rich Hill (0-9) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Greenfield and both teams wishing for a second quarter turbo clock.
  • Result: Greenfield 59, Rich Hill 0.  Seven TD runs of 23 yards or longer by five different Greenfield players.
• Buffalo (2-7) at Rogersville (8-1) (#1 class 3) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Rogersville rolls.
  • Result: Rogersville 46, Bolivar 0.  Dylan Cole scores on runs of 50 & 73 yards in the first quarter, and the Wildcat defense gets three scores as Rogersville does indeed roll.
• Fair Grove (9-0) (#2 class 2) at Pleasant Hope (0-9) – Thursday
  • Prediction: A small commemorative ceremony and a win for the Eagles.
  • Result: Fair Grove 34, Pleasant Hope 13.  Four TDs from Caleb Schaffitzel as he becomes the states all time leader.
• McDonald County (1-8) at Neosho (6-3) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Neosho easily.
  • Result: Neosho 41, McDonald County 6.  Jared Shurley goes over the 1,000 yard mark rushing for the Wildcats who capture their second consecutive district title.
• Cabool (1-8) at Thayer (7-1) (#4 class 1) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Thayer and at least three 100 yard rushers.
  • Result: Thayer 48, Cabool 12.  How about one player, Josh Huckabee, having almost 300 yards?  Huck is the backbone of this squad.
• Cassville (8-1) (#3 class 3) at East Newton (1-8) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Cassville.  Big 8 champs.
  • Result: Cassville 42, East Newton 0.  The Wildcats get the 35-0 halftime lead to get the turbo clock going, and win the Big 8 title outright.
• Cuba (3-6) at Houston (1-8) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Down with the Communist swine!  Houston is victorious!
  • Result: Houston 28, Cuba 8.  YES!  Democracy rules!!!
• Cole Camp (2-6) at Skyline (5-4) – Friday
  • Prediction: Skyline gets a W to end the season.
  • Result: Skyline 40, Cole Camp 22.  A nice win for the Tigers to cap off the season.
• Rockhurst (7-2) at Joplin (4-5) – Friday
  • Prediction: Rockhurst.  Oh the humanity!
  • Result: Rockhurst 49, Joplin 19.  49-7 in the third before Rockhurst called off the dogs.
• St. James (1-8) at Salem (6-3) – Friday
  • Prediction: No problem for Salem.
  • Result: Salem 33, St. James 14.  Not as close as the score indicates.  Salem out gained St. James 449-142 and ran off to a 33-0 lead before allowing a score.
• Catholic (6-3) at Reeds Spring (1-8) – Friday
  • Prediction: Catholic enters the playoffs on a roll.
  • Result: Catholic 28, Reeds Spring 8.  28-8 at the half as Mitchell Richardson catches two passes for scores.
• Central (2-7) at Lee’s Summit West (6-3) – Friday
  • Prediction: Central end the season as the most entertaining 2-8 squad in memory.
  • Result: Lee’s Summit West 35, Central 6.  35-0 at the half.

The Bad

• Strafford (5-4) at Ash Grove (3-6) – Thursday
  • Prediction: Strafford bounces back.
  • Result: Ash Grove 16, Strafford 13.  The Indians scored first.  But could only manage a late TD to match the Pirates two scores and 2 point conversions.
• Parkview (2-7) at Kickapoo (5-4) – Friday
  • Prediction: The Chiefs march on.
  • Result: Parkview 29, Kickapoo 18.  Darin Francis was the dagger in Kickapoo’s heart as he scored two of his three TDs in the fourth quarter.  Each time when Kickapoo had pulled within a touchdown.
• Rolla (9-0) (#5 class 5) at Camdenton (6-3) – Friday
  • Prediction: Rolla goes to 10-0.
  • Result: Camdenton 21, Rolla 14.  Two touchdown runs from QB Shane Hardman help Camdenton win their district & get a first round bye.

The Ugly

• Poplar Bluff (6-3) at West Plains (2-7) – Thursday
  • Prediction: I’m going with the Zizzers.
  • Result: Poplar Bluff 36, West Plains 8.  The magic officially ran out in the second quarter as the Mules scored 24 points to end the Zizzers streak.
• Lebanon (5-4) at Waynesville (2-7) – Friday
  • Prediction: Lebanon wins but not without a fight.
  • Result: Waynesville 57, Lebanon 41.  We finally see the Tiger team we expected all year, but all they accomplish is knocking Lebanon out of the playoffs.  Lebanon’s Josh Mattes rushes for 211 yards and 5 TDs.

Record for the Week: 28-5, .848.  If I only was a baseball player with that batting average.

Year to Date: 254-69, .786.  Like a great football team, I got better every week.

Player of the Week

• Kevin Vereen, QB, Waynesville – 16 of 20, 201 yards, 2 TDs passing; 115 yards, 3 TDs rushing
  • In a game that featured over 900 yards of offense, Waynesville’s multi-talented QB was the star.  With the game tied at 21 just before the half, Vereen went on a run that extended into the fourth quarter.  Running for 2 scores and passing for 2 more, the Tigers emerged up 50-29 and the game was over.  A disappointing year for the Tigers ends with their best performance, and Vereen showing his true quality.