Week 6 picks

Four top flight games this week headlined by undefeated and state-ranked Carthage traveling to undefeated and resurgent Branson.  A pair of state-ranked teams clash in Mountain Grove as the once-beaten Panthers take on the unbeaten Bolivar Liberators.  Ozark conference heavyweights Joplin and Waynesville meet in Pulaski County.  While Liberty makes the drive to Salem to see who can stay hot on Mountain Groves tail in the SCA.  And class 5 district 7 play opens up with Glendale taking on Kickapoo and Parkview facing Ozark.

It should be an exciting week.  So everyone take notes.  There’ll be a quiz later over the…

WEEK 6 PICKS

Game of the week

• Carthage, 5-0 (#2 class 4) at Branson, 5-0
  • Someone drops from the ranks of the unbeaten tonight.  Will it be Trey Derryberry, Brian Poston, and the rest of the Tigers?  Or Tee Helsel, Mark Hill, and the Pirates?  Carthage has a wealth of offensive weapons at their disposal.  In addition to Derryberry and Poston, they have a stable of receivers that all can break a game open, lead by Clay Kinman.  Their only weakness to this point has been getting a little sloppy and lackadaisical when they have a big lead.  A nice fault to have.  Branson threw another cog into their offense with sophomore Brandon Mahoney rushing for 214 yards last week in his first start.  The Pirate defense has been outstanding this year, especially at stopping the run.
  • Keys to the game: For Branson, they have to find a way to slow down the Carthage offense.  They need to get pressure on Derryberry, but still shut down the run.  Their defensive backs need to step up.  For Carthage, they need to at least hold their own in the battle of the line.  Derryberry plays both ways and they need him fresh.  Keeping him from getting hit in the backfield is essential.
  • Prediction: Branson is pushing for a big crowd tonight and bringing out the thunder sticks.  But this Carthage team has faced down a Webb City crowd.  They shouldn’t be fazed.  I think Carthage keeps their run alive.

Other Top Games

• Liberty, 4-1 at Salem, 4-1
  • Only loss for each team is to Mountain Grove on the road.  Should be a great clash.
  • Prediction: The Eagles played the Panthers much closer, and I like them to win tonight.
• Joplin, 4-1 at Waynesville, 4-1
  • Devin St. Clair is having a great year for the Eagles.  The Tigers have found their running game again and are rolling.
  • Prediction: Waynesville wins a close one at home.
• Bolivar, 5-0 (#9 class 4) at Mountain Grove, 4-1 (#10 class 3)
  • The Panthers get another shot at a state-ranked team.  And Bolivar is better than the last one.
  • Prediction: Bolivar is focused and wins.

Games to Keep an Eye On

• Webb City, 5-0 (#4 class 4) at Neosho, 3-2
  • If Neosho can avoid a slow start like they suffered against Carthage, this could be a classic.
  • Prediction: It may be close, but Webb City still wins.
• Carl Junction, 4-1 at East Newton, 3-2
  • So is Monett that good?  Or is CJ just not as good as we thought?  If they’re not, the Patriots can make them pay.
  • Prediction: I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle, and it’s enough for the Bulldogs to win.
• Miller, 5-0 (#3 class 1) at Pierce City, 3-2
  • Pierce City hasn’t been blown out yet.  Miller has leveled everyone since Liberal.
  • Prediction: Miller wins it on the road.
• Ash Grove, 3-2 at Skyline, 4-1
  • Both teams need to prove something.  Ash Grove would like to go 3-0 in the Mid-Lakes.  Skyline wants to stay right behind Fair Grove.
  • Prediction: Skyline is putting up big points.  Pirates haven’t been strong on the road.  Skyline.
• Rogersville, 3-2 at Marshfield, 3-2
  • Two good teams trying to avoid the .500 mark.  0 losses combined from the teams that they have lost to.
  • Prediction: Rogersville wins.

Rest of the Schedule

• Osceola, 3-2 at Appleton City, 3-1
  • Indians trying to get rolling for district.  Appleton City looks to stay in WEMO race.
  • Prediction: Osceola drop third in last four games.
• Aurora, 0-5 at Monett, 5-0 (#1 class 3)
  • One of the best Big 8 teams in recent memory against the worst.
  • Prediction: Monett and pain.
• Nevada, 1-4 at Cassville, 4-1
  • No pushover.  Nevada played class 3 #6 Pleasant Hill within 6 points on the road.
  • Prediction: Cassville gets it done.
• Nixa, 2-3 at Camdenton, 4-1
  • Nixa has proven they can’t be overlooked.  Camdenton defense keeps getting stronger.
  • Prediction: Camdenton wins a low-scoring affair.
• Buffalo, 2-3 at Reeds Spring, 0-5
  • Buffalo looks for team to bounce back against after loss to Bolivar.  Finds Reeds Spring.
  • Prediction: Should be a perfect combination for Buffalo.  They win.
• Cabool, 1-4 at Ava, 2-3
  • Bulldogs and Bears battle to stay in middle of SCA pack.
  • Prediction: Ava should win.
• Parkview, 1-4 at Ozark, 2-3
  • After breaking ‘the streak’, Vikings get Ozark team that is playing well despite record.
  • Prediction: Ozark starts a new, and much shorter, streak for Parkview.
• Pleasant Hope, 0-5 at Houston, 3-2
  • There is legitimate reason for the Pirates to have hope for the future.  But not this week.
  • Prediction: Houston goes to 4-2.
• Fair Grove, 5-0 (#7 class 2) at El Dorado Springs, 2-3
  • Nice win for El Dorado over Ash Grove.  Now will try to take down the cream of area class 2 teams.
  • Prediction: Fair Grove is too talented for the Bulldogs.
• Diamond, 1-4 at Lockwood, 1-4
  • Diamond looking to grab win #2.  Lockwood looking to salvage season.
  • Prediction: Lockwood takes it.
• Rolla, 4-1 at West Plains, 0-5
  • Did Joplin expose something in Rolla’s game?  If so, can the Zizzers take advantage.
  • Prediction: I think the answer to both questions is ‘No’.  Rolla.
• Jasper, 0-5 at Greenfield, 4-1
  • Jasper hopes to make a game of it as Greenfield is playing very well right now.
  • Prediction: No luck for the Eagles.  Greenfield wins big.
• Sarcoxie, 2-3 at Liberal, 3-2
  • Both teams looking to get momentum going into winnable districts.
  • Prediction: Liberal gets it as they win.
• Seneca, 2-3 at McDonald County, 0-5
  • Call this the battle of extreme SW Mo.  Seneca goes out of conference for last time this year.
  • Prediction: Seneca romps.
• Glendale, 0-5 at Kickapoo, 3-2
  • Traditional rivals open district 7 play on Kickapoo’s turf, where they are much tougher.
  • Prediction: Rough season for Glendale gets rougher.  Kickapoo wins.
• Catholic, 1-4 at McAuley, 2-3
  • McAuley steps up in class against the Irish coming off win over Diamond.
  • Prediction: Catholic has a good ride back to Springfield.  They win easily.
• Lamar, 2-3 at Mt. Vernon, 1-4
  • Tigers hung around with Cassville for a half.  Mountaineers got their first W of the year last week.
  • Prediction: Lamar improves to 3-3.
• Strafford, 3-2 at Central, 2-3
  • The Indians looks to bounce back from loss to Liberty.  Central continues to be up and down.
  • Prediction: I like Central in the mild upset.
• Lebanon, 3-2 at Hillcrest, 1-4
  • Lebanon continues to pile up stats.  Hillcrest have some of the best offensive players in the area.
  • Prediction: Offensive showcase goes to thy Yellowjackets.
• Marionville, 2-3 at Stockton, 0-5
  • Stockton would love to make it 4 straight on the Comet revenge tour.  Marionville wants to pull out of funk before facing Fair Grove next week.
  • Prediction: Stockton just cannot put enough points on the board to win.  Marionville.
• Willard, 0-5 at Republic, 1-4
  • Best 0-5 team in the state looks to get off the mark against struggling Republic.
  • Prediction: Willard gets a well-deserved win.
• Willow Springs, 0-5 at Thayer, 4-1 (#6 class 1)
  • Jacob Eckman returned to help Thayer bounce back from first loss last week.
  • Prediction: Thayer easily.

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