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November 16, 2009
Class 6 Quarterfinals really threw some curve balls. Take a look...
Blue Springs kicker booted the winning FG through the uprights with only two seconds left to give the Wildcats a thrilling 21-20 victory over the Rockhurst Hawklets. Blue Springs avenged a mid-season loss to the Hawklets and broke a two-year string of having their season end with a loss to Rockhurst.
At DeSmet, the Jefferson City Jays came out and marched straight down the field on their first two possessions. The traditional Jay run game was in high gear with Kody Walker leading the way. The first possession ended in a missed 20 yard FG attempt and the 2nd was a TD with a missed PAT. The Jays led 6-0. It seemed that the Spartans found their game legs late in first quarter. QB Stephen Kaiser began hitting a plethora of receivers (some made marvelous catches!) to move the Spartans to a 10-6 halftime lead. As the 2nd half opened up with Malcolm Agnew racing 80 yards on the first play for a TD, DeSmet seemed to grow in confidence. The Jays struggled on offense throughout the 2nd half as they turned the ball over 3 times in the game. DeSmet has hosted both playoff games and now travels to Blue Springs.
DeSmet (12-0) demonstrated a strong defense, strong kicking game and some big-play ability on offense as they beat Jeff City convincingly but they go across the State to take on the Wildcats (11-1). A DeSmet win could set up a rematch of 2005 Championship game-DeSmet-Haz Cen. We're thinking that the Spartans will have a happy trip home.
Hazelwood Central (11-1)exploded in the 2nd quarter against Lafayette. After being tied 3-3, the Hawks scored 28 unanswered points to pull away from the Lancers and "ice it up". QB Kerry Gibson was 8 of 13 for 202 and a TD throw to lead the peaking Hawk offense. The defending Class 6 champions, almost didn't make it through district, but now appear to be playing their best ball of the season.
Meanwhile. after beating Fox in District by a narrow 19-13 margin, the Oakville Tigers (9-3)went to the air. QB Joe Plassmeyer was a red-hot 22 of 28 for 252 and 3 scores as the Tigers waltzed to a 45-17 win. Plassmeyer now has over 2000 passing yards as he leads the Tigers to their first ever STATE semifinal football game.
WE're going with the defending Champs who have a better record. We've been wrong during the last 2 weeks on Oakville, so maybe their happy that we're NOT picking them. Listen to the game LIVE on www.prepcasts.com
Class 5 It was more than a Hail Mary. Chaminade had just scored 9 points in the last 41 seconds (TD pass to Andrew Mower with 41 seconds --PAT failed and Mason Hutson booted a long, seemingly the game winner, through the uprights with only 7 seconds left giving Chaminade a 29-28 lead. After kicking it into the end zone, Webster Groves QB, Derrick Dilworth, threw as far as he could and miraculously found Demetrius Robinson for the 80 yard TD strike and the 34-29 win!!! Webster (11-0) advances to take on the streaking Parkway North Vikings. Listen to the game on www.prepcasts.com
Bob Bunton has the Vikings soaring! They blasted the Parkway Central Colts 21-0 with 310 rushing yards. Jaimee Buchanan leads this finely tuned rushing attack. Webster beat the Vikes 20-16 during the year (listen to replay on www.prepcasts.com ). This time, WG has struggled in their last 2 games while North seems to be peaking...we're going North.
On the other side of the State, Raytown South (10-3) had some of the WG magic themselves. With only 7 seconds (sounds familiar, heh?), on the last play from scrimmage with the game tied at 15 against Nixa. The Cardinals got some "pay back" from last year. QB Dennis Tanner, rolled out, eluded a defender, cocked and wanted to throw deep. As he released the ball, his arm was hit, the throw went way short. It was caught around the 30 yard line by Jerrick Walton who took it to the house for the winner, 21-15. As you recall, in the 2008 title game, Haz East beat Raytown South on the final desperation pass play of the game 39-34.
Waiting for the Cardinals are the unbeaten, Ft Osage Indians (12-0). Ft Osage handled Raymore-Peculiar 30-19 at Ray-Pec. The first half belonged to Ray-Pec as Ft Osage had only eleven offensive snaps. The goal was obviously, to keep the bal away from the prolific Indian offense, averaging 33 ppg. In a great game, that went back and forth, Ft Osage took the lead for good with a 23-19 lead. AJ Gaines, 23 yard scamper, iced up the game as Ft Osage faces the experienced Cardinals of Raytown South. We like the Ft Osage offensive and defensive balance and think we'll see them at the Dome.
Class 4 Four really terrific teams remain in the brackets. Sikeston rolled over Ladue 28-6 as they wore down the Rams with a crunching ground game. Eli Jackson and Laqualin Wiggins kept the Bulldogs moving in a 19 play drive in the 4th quarter they finished off the game. Coach Kent Gibbs' team has taken a 2007, 2-8 team to 5-5 last year and now are sitting an unbeaten season!!
Helias lost last year at the Dome to Webb City 41-34. The Crusaders own an outstanding offense that averages over 40ppg. Normandy gave Helias all that they could handle on Saturday but Helias prevailed 21-13.
Both teams run similar offenses, Bulldogs will take a bite out of the Crusaders and advance to the finals.
As usual, the Webb City Cardinals are still there! The Cardinals upended Bolivar 42-20 to continue their 28 game win streak and 51 wins in the last 52 games! Coach John Roderique seems to roll out cookie-cutting type teams. No one real star but many, many very good high school players who think "team" first!
The Kearney Bulldogs have shut out their last two oppenents and have six white-washes for the season while putting up over 40ppg themselves! Kearney ripped perennial power Harrisonville 41-0 in the Quarters.
I have to go with an upset here --the Kearney Bulldogs !
Class 3 Two teams with totally opposite type records will meet in the Semis. Unbeaten Bowling Green (13-0) rolled again on Saturday as they ended the Mexico dream ending 34-7. The Bobcats have outscored their post-season opponents 120-22! On the other hand, the Priory Rebels entered the State Tournament with a 5-5 record. Upsets of Cardinal Ritter and New Madrid County have made believers out of many observers. We think Bowling Green has too much speed and offense for the surging Rebels..we're going Bobcats. Listen to this game on www.prepcasts.com
Two teams coming off one point victories will face each other when Cassville (12-1-defending Class 3 champ) faces O'Hara (12-1). Cassville needed a 19 play, 86 yard 4th quarter scoring drive to edge Logan-Rogersville 21-20. Meanwhile, the O'Hara Celtics who have 3 narrow victories in this state Tournament (beat Chillicothe 32-29, Savannah 21-16 and this weekend, Pleasant Hill 50-49) used a 2 point run conversion to win the game. Star running back, Raphael Spencer powered over for the 2 successful 2 point conversion with only 35 seconds left. Spencer had a spectacular day-- 275 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns (one coming on a 67 yard fumble recovery!) It seems to me that the Celts have cashed in all their "winning close game" chips...I'm staying with the defending champion-Cassville.
Class 2 Brentwood travels to Centralia (13-0) for the semifinals. Centralia snapped several streaks when they toppled Clark County 34-6. Clark County's 27 game win streak went by the boards as the did a personal win streak for Asst Coach, Quentin Hamner. Coach Hamner arrived at Clark County two years ago after working at Harrisonville. Coach's personal 68 game streak was also stopped! The Brentwood Eagles just continue to win as they beat Caruthersville 28-14. I like the unbeaten team here !
On the other end, Lamar started the playoffs at 4-6 but now have reached the semis after halting Fair Grove 42-14. Maryville has been a frequent visitor to post-season and struggled to ease past Hogan Prep 35-32. I always feel that teams need those real close "scares" to rise to the next level. I'm going Maryville but my gut says Lamar!
Class 1 Overall record of these four teams is 50-1 !! It seems to belong to the Valle Catholic Warriors (13-0)who ran (and passed) over Miller 42-6. The Warriors have been in a "running clock" every post-season game. Next victim...oops...opponent is another unbeaten team--the Tipton Cardinals. I like the Warriors in this game that features two unbeaten teams. Listen to this game on Prepcasts -Ste. Genevieve.
Penney (12-0) is the third team with an unblemished record in this classification. Wellington-Napolean (12-1) will be the surprise victor in this semifinal.
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