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Week 5 picks
By Joboo | September 26, 2008
As we hit the midway point in the season, some seriously important conference matchups are upon us, teams are trying to get positioned for late season runs, and teams with a week start to the year are desperate to get on track. Five very high quality games this week headlined by the meeting of Big 8 unbeatens Monett and Carl Junction. The 2 teams furthest apart in the OC meet in Joplin as undefeated Rolla makes the long drive. Possible upset specials abound with Houston traveling to Thayer, 0-4 Willard giving 4-0 Branson their first road game of the year, Cassville taking on a very good Lamar team on the road, and Webb City facing a dangerous Nixa squad. And someone gets their first win of the year as Mt. Vernon and McDonald County meet.
So just remember. Everybody loves…
WEEK 5 PICKS
Game of the week
- Monett, 4-0 (#1 class 3) at Carl Junction, 4-0
- Fans of offensive football, do not go anywhere near Carl Junction tonight. CJs defense is giving up only 7 points per game, while the Cubs have 3 shutouts and average 3 points surrendered per game. Add to that the fact that both teams are offensively challenged, relying on the run game heavily, and this is going to be a slugfest. Zach Waranch has been doing a good job replacing the departed Zac Porath for the Bulldogs. Last week he rolled up 167 yards for CJ as they downed Seneca. Monett is led by RB Christian Privett. Both teams throw just enough to keep defenses honest, but can also hit a big play that way.
- Keys to the game: Turnovers and big plays. There will not be a lot of sustained offense in this game so turnovers will be vital. And both teams are opportunistic scorers. Who forces the fumble of gets a pick when they can do something with it. And with both defenses this strong, all it will take is one blown coverage or a kick return to provide the winning margin.
- Prediction: Coach Alan Spencer is an underrated talent in the area. I think he comes up with something to give the Cubs the edge tonight. From there, the Cubs great D takes over. Monett for the win.
Other Top Games
- Neosho, 3-1 at Carthage, 4-0 (#2 class 4)
- Neosho is thisclose to being 4-0 and state-ranked. They might have been looking ahead when they dropped last weeks contest to Nixa. Carthage has been starting strong and then coasting to finish games.
- Prediction: I think we see the full meal deal tonight out of Carthage. They win at home.
- Rolla, 4-0 at Joplin, 3-1
- Rolla looks dialed in so far this year. Cameron Fore and crew are just pounding people into submission. Joplin is a threat to score big whenever they step on the field.
- Prediction: I think we get a close contest, but Rolla’s D controls Joplin enough to get the road win.
- Houston, 3-1 at Thayer, 3-1 (#6 class 1)
- Already missing Josh Huckabee, it now looks like Thayer will be without starting QB Jacob Eckman. Houston wants to rebound from their first loss.
- Prediction: I’m going to stick with Thayer to win it.
- Liberty, 3-1 at Strafford, 3-1
- Can Luke Yarber and the Eagles follow up their big win by knocking off Strafford on the road? This will be the Indians first chance to turn some heads.
- Prediction: I like this Liberty team. I’m taking them to get the road win.
Games to Keep an Eye On
- Webb City, 4-0 (#3 class 4) at Nixa, 2-2
- Nixa showed they can not be overlooked. Cardinals good at not overlooking opponents.
- Prediction: Webb should get the COC road win.
- Branson, 4-0 at Willard, 0-4
- Not such an obvious pick. Willard is a good team that’s played a tough schedule. Branson is playing their first road game.
- Prediction: I’ll take the Pirates, but no surprise if it goes the other way.
- Osceola, 3-1 at Cass-Midway, 2-2
- Big game for Osceola in the WEMO. Cass coming off two straight road losses try to get healthy at home.
- Prediction: I’m really torn, but I think the Vikings knock off Osceola at home.
- Cassville, 3-1 at Lamar, 2-2
- Interesting game. Cassville has improved each week, but so has Lamar. Can the Tigers get the big win?
- Prediction: Cassville’s D keeps getting tougher. I’ll take them to outlast Lamar.
- Skyline, 3-1 at Marionville, 2-2
- The Comets have dropped 2 straight in the Mid-Lakes. Skyline is averaging over 40 points a game.
- Prediction: Make it 3 striaght. Skyline gets it done on the road.
- East Newton, 2-2 at Pierce City, 3-1
- The Patriots look to get their season back on track against a scrappy Pierce City squad.
- Prediction: Another road winner. East Newton gets the win.
Rest of the Schedule
- Reeds Spring, 0-4 at Rogersville, 2-2
- Rogersville is better than their record. 0-4 is exactly right for Reeds Spring.
- Prediction: Rogersville easily.
- El Dorado Springs, 1-3 at Ash Grove, 3-1
- The Bulldogs continue to struggle to put the ball in the endzone. Pirates continue to mature.
- Prediction: Ash Grove moves to 4-1.
- Parkview, 0-4 at Hillcrest, 1-3
- Lots of ‘O’ with not so much ‘D’. Parkview’s best chance to get a ‘W’ the rest of the year.
- Prediciton: The Hornets hung with Joplin. I like then to win this shootout.
- Mountain Grove, 3-1 at Cabool, 1-3
- Cabool got their first win last week. But Mountain Grove looks to be reinvigorated since Thayer loss.
- Prediction: The Panthers roll on the road.
- Buffalo, 2-2 at Bolivar, 4-0 (#10 class 4)
- Riding a 2 game win streak, Buffalo comes up against one of the hottest teams in the state.
- Prediction: No cooling off here. Bolivar wins at home.
- Mt. Vernon, 0-4 at McDonald County, 0-4
- Proud Mountaineers still looking for first win. Mustangs ony have 17 points through week 4.
- Prediction: Mt. Vernon gets rid of the goose egg.
- Ozark, 1-3 at Republic, 1-3
- Traditional COC rivals meet. Ozark had good showing against Webb City. Republic is grinding right now.
- Prediction: Ozark wins on the road.
- Diamond, 1-3 at McAuley, 1-3
- Matchup of 1-3 squads. Best remaining chance for Diamond to get another win.
- Prediction: McAuley should take it.
- Camdenton, 3-1 at West Plains, 0-4
- After strong offensive showing in first 2 games, Zizzers have went flat. Laker ‘D’ continues to improve.
- Prediction: Camdenton is just too much.
- Cole Camp, 4-0 at Pleasant Hope, 0-4
- Cole Camp is averaging 49.5 points per game. Pirates give up 35 while scoring just over 9.
- Prediction: Ugly game of the week goes to Cole Camp.
- Liberal, 2-2 at Jasper, 0-4
- Liberal will be smarting from close loss to Pierce City. And will be looking to take it out on Jasper.
- Prediction: Another ugly game. Liberal easy.
- Fair Grove, 4-0 (#7 class 2) at Stockton, 0-4
- The defense that has given up 109 points the last 2 weeks get a visit from Caleb Schaffitzel and the high flying Eagles.
- Prediction: Could be a contender for ugly game of the week. Fair Grove breezes.
- Central, 2-2 at Ava, 1-3
- Injury depleted Bulldogs travel to meet scoring challenged Ava.
- Prediction: Central for the win.
- Salem, 3-1 at Willow Springs, 0-4
- Teams on opposite rolls. Salem has 2 consecutive shutouts. The Bears average less than 7.5 per.
- Prediction: Salem big.
- Greenfield, 3-1 at Sarcoxie, 2-2
- Greenfield still in SRVC race. Sarcoxie’s 2 wins are over Diamond and Pleasant Hope.
- Prediction: Greenfield rolls the Bears on the road.
- Seneca, 1-3 at Aurora, 0-4
- 3 teams that Seneca has lost to have 2 losses combined. Aurora is in a world of pain.
- Prediction: Seneca keeps the Dawgs down.
- Lockwood, 1-3 at Miller, 4-0 (#3 class 1)
- Does Lockwood have enough to best Miller with their best game? Miller looks dialed in but D is still vulnerable.
- Prediction: Not close. Miller easily.
- Waynesville, 3-1 at Glendale, 0-4
- Another tale of teams headed in opposite directions. Tigers have 99 points last 2 games.
- Prediction: Waynesville has a good trip to Springfield.
- Marshfield, 2-2 at Catholic, 1-3
- Blue Jays only two losses are to undefeated teams. Irish can’t find the offensive rhythm.
- Prediction: Marshfield bounces back from Branson loss.
Topics: Football |
September 26th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I’ll be at Willard and Hillcrest tonight. Interesting note: Willard is the BEST 0-4 team in the state. Their first 5 opponents have a combined 17-3 record, and they nearly beat Ozark on the road. Branson looks good, home wins over Cassville, Nixa, and a convincing win over Marshfield, plus a VERY close road win over Rogersville. Willard gets on the board.
As for Hillcrest/Parkview, I think tonight is the night the Vikings snap their streak. If the over/under is 90, I’ll take the over. Offensive extravaganza. Watch for Hillcrest freshman phenom receiver Doriel Green to put up some big numbers. Prediction: He’ll be the most highly touted recruit in Springfield in 2 decades.
Don’t miss the 5th Quarter tonight! shameless plug
September 26th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
You are always welcome to plug the 5th Quarter here Mike. You guys do a good job.
Couldn’t agree with you more on Willard being the best 0-4 team in the state. That game is an absolute coin flip.