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October 11, 2009 The curtain for the 2nd season rises this week when District play begins. In this round-robin system, the top two teams advance into the STATE Tournament. Some thoughts, considerations, a few predictions from our crystal ball.....
CLASS 6 District 1--Fox (6-1) brings in the best record and will advance. Seckman and Oakville are both 4-3. Oakville has dropped the last 2 ball games while Seckman doesn't own any wins over a Class 6 team. I'm not sure that Oakville will rekindle that incredible run of 2008 but I do think they'll move to STATE round.
District 2-Lindbergh (7-0) with a very stingy defense, smart offense and seasoned QB (Portell) should win this District. SLUH (3-4) has the young exciting Soph duo of Trevor McDonagh (QB) and Mitch Klug (WR) to lead the offense past Ritenour (1-6) and Mehlville (0-7).
District 3-Annually, this foursome provide us with some surprises in District. This year should be no exception. Lafayette (5-2) has lost only to LIndbergh (7-0) and Kirkwood (5-1) in OT. They appear to be #1 of this group. CBC (5-2) has struggled a bit in the last 2 weeks-- squeezing by Pattonville 17-12 and being spanked by VIanney 48-35 as Dalton Hewitt threw for 6 scores. The Patriots of Parkway South (4-3) have their usual aggressive defense but an inconsistent offense. The Cadet-Patriot game should determine which team advances. However, don't be surprised if Marquette (2-5), who is improving, upsets someone along the way.
District 4-Defending Class 6 Champion, Hazelwood Central (7-0) looks primed for the long run and should defend this District crown. Hazelwood West (6-1) suffered their first loss last week against a very talented DeSmet team (7-0). McCluer North (4-3) has made several trips to STATE level play but doesn't have a win (in Missouri) of any team over .500. Riverview Gardens (5-2) has dropped each of their last two games after a terrific 5-0 start. I don't think the North Stars can throw like DeSmet so it should be both Hazelwood schools advancing. West will be a very tough #2 team to be facing in the sectional round of STATE.
District 5-DeSmet (7-0) is probably the safest bet to win their district in Class 6. The Howell teams have demonstrated good growth and improvement in their programs this year but they're playing for 2nd place and the chance to move on. The Howell Vikings (6-1) knocked of FT Z West to bring attention to this fast improving program. Howell North (5-2) has lost both their games by a total of 8 points so they easily be 7-0 also. We think the Vikes will advance in a great game that will be on www.prepcasts.com this week !
District 6-The Jays rule here! Jeff City (5-2) has lost both their games to Rockhurst by scores of 20-13 and 33-19 but have trampled most other opponents. The Jags of Ft Zumwalt West (4-3) have been beaten soundly in their last 2 games after opening up at 4-1. Meanwhile the Hickman Kewpies (3-4) have been up and down all year. Troy comes in at 1-6. We're going with Kewpies in a bit of an upset.
District 7-Rockhurst (5-2) is the clear choice in this district. Both losses have been to teams outside of Missouri. The other three teams present an interesting picture. Joplin (5-2) of the Ozarks Conference has scored over 300 points already this year. Lee Summit and Lee Summit North are both 2-5 and compete in the Suburban Big 7 of KC. My crystal ball shows a surprise pick in Lee Summit.
District 8-Only one of two Class 6 districts with every team over .500 (the other is District 4), two good teams won't see Football in November. The talented Blue Springs (6-1) team, we see as the favorite . Liberty (6-1) should advance past Blue Springs South (4-3) and Rock Bridge (4-3). The Bluejays powerful offense averages 38 ppg (which they won't score in this district) and should be more than others can handle. Liberty could be the best 2nd place district finisher in Class 6. CLASS 5-This class is always the "dumping ground" in a sense. A district may have 5 teams since this class catches the "odd" number of teams and the highly unusual configuration of 11 districts make for lots of fun in the STATE Tournament. Do you know of any other tournament with 11 as the base ? Anyway...more important thoughts... District 1-All teams in this district are grateful to be starting over! Combined this foursome is 2-26 in 2009. Eureka (1-6) far below their usual performance levels and Summit (1-6) should advance over Jackson and Cape Central who are both 0-7. District 2-State ranked Webster Groves (6-0) comes in as the clear choice and should advance rather easily to the Quarterfinal round. MCC foes Chaminade (5-2) who have the run game with Rob Standard and Vianney (3-4) who ride the arm of Dalton Hewitt (7000 career passing yards) will decide more than the Marinist Cup in their game. Both teams are coming off of huge conference wins last week-- I'm going traditional here and choosing ground over air--Chaminade in a game with over 70 total points. District 3--Terrific district here! All four teams are over .500-Kirkwood 5-1, Parkway Central 6-1, Parkway North 5-1 and Parkway West 4-3. The two teams that don't qualify could easily have won, or at least finished 2nd, in many class 5 districts. It's the luck of the draw. We're going with the athletic Pioneers of Kirkwood who compete in the Suburban West (larger schools) conference and the prolific ground game that Bob Bunton has assembled at Parkway North to advance. District 4-While no one in this district can hold their head above the break even mark, there are some talented teams. Finally, coming alive, the Hazelwood East Spartans (3-4) will advance. The Spartans dropped their first 4 games but have rattled off 3 consecutive wins. The game between two 1-6 teams-Pattonville and McCluer will determine the 2nd STATE tourney team. We like the very athletic Line backing corp for the Pirates to prevail. Ft Zumwalt North (3-4) has a better record than some but doesn't see Suburban North foes week in and week out. District 5-The top two teams of the GAC North (Timberland (6-1) and Washington (5-2) will square off with two GAC South teams (Holt 4-3 and Ft Zumwalt South (1-6). While we think Zach Schneider has done a tremendous job in his first year at the helm for the Bluejays of Washington, we like the Wentzville teams--Timberland and Holt to move on down the road. District 6-This district is comprised of Ozark Conference teams. Rolla (7-0) state ranked under first year coach Josh Smith is the easy choice to advance. However, I don't see them going through this district unscathed. The Camdenton Lakers (5-2) under highly successful coach Bob Shore (351-89-3) and Lebanon Yellow Jackets (4-3) are the #2 and #3 teams of this competitive conference. Waynesville, after a very sluggish start, has won 2 of the last 3 games and their loss was an OT 69-63 game to Joplin. I expect the Tigers to upset someone and throw this district into shambles. I'm looking for Rolla and Camdenton to advance. District 7-One of the hybrids of Class 5 districts with 5 teams in the District. Only two teams hold records over .500--NIxa (5-2) and Ozark (4-3) and we're going to go with them to move on past Parkview (2-5), Glendale (0-7) and Kickapoo (3-4). Nixa has competed against several tough teams already and should win District 8-Ditto for district 7.. Lee Summit West Titans (5-2) and Raymore-Peculiar Panthers (4-3) will knock out Belton (2-5) and Spr Central (2-5). Ray Pec is now competing in the Suburban Big 7 conference of KC. These larger schools have toughened up the Panthers for a long post season run in Class 5. Meanwhile, the Titans only losses have been to Ft Osage (7-0) and Blue Springs (6-1). A rematch of Ft Osage and Lee Summit West could occur in Quarterfinal round. District 9-Losing the Championship in the Dome last year, Raytown South has the taste for post season. We see the Cardinals (4-3) moving on out of this district. Northeast (4-3) from the Interscholastic Conference doesn't have any common foes for Raytown (1-6) and Truman (1-6). Wait....my crystal ball is showing the Bluejays of Raytown to be the #2 team ! The Raytown-Northeast game is this weekend so we'll see about this crystal ball !! District 10-Unbeaten Ft Osage (7-0) leads the way in this district. The surprising Winnetonka Griffins (5-2) should join the Indians in the post season play. Wm Chrisman (3-4) has struggled against high quality teams but could be a challenge. N. KC (1-6) is also in the district. District 11-Park Hill Trojans (6-1) have lost only to Blue Springs South and last week toppled Winnetonka 35-21. The Trojans are the easy choice to win district #1. Park Hill South (4-3) have lost to three very talented teams - Ft Osage 7-0, Blue Springs 6-1 and Winnetonka 5-2 in 09. If they finish second, a rematch with Ft Osage looms in round one. St Joe- Central and Oak Park are both 2-5 and can't be ignored in this district.
FOR A LOOK AT CLASS 5 DISTRICTTS ...continue..
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