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I will continue my look at some of the high school football conference with a trip east to check out the contenders in the South Central Association.

In recent memory it has been Mountain View-Liberty and Mountain Grove, Mountain Grove and Mountain View Liberty.  With an occasional upset, here and there, those two, with very loyal, and vocal, fan bases have butted heads to decide the Conference Champ.

Well times, they could possibly be changing.

By most accounts the conference, as a whole, might  be a little bid down this season.  If it is, it might be easy to understand.  They have had teams near the top of the state rankings on a real consistent basis.  But teams at the top, were hit especially hard by graduation this past season.  The question is, who is ready to step up and take the mantle away from one of them.

My guess, the most ready is Ava.  The Bears have been knocking on the door the past couple of seasons.  And, with a healthy contingent back from last years squad they are my pick to make the rise and actually claim the SCA Championship this season.

Now, that being said, the Panthers and Eagles are not just going to lie down and take it.  They might both have a lot of new starters but they are programs that are used to winning.  The players dont really know anything else.  The toughest thing for me has been in which order to pick these two. I have seen Mountain Grove (at Branson Camp) but have not seen the Eagles.  A week ago I would have picked the Panthers third but as I write this, there is just something that tells me I better not drop them any lower than #2.

Thayer might be small but we have seen that the Bobcats are very competitive against their bigger opponents.  Like some others, they lost some key personnel but they still have a shot to finish in the top half of the league.

Salem is a team that I have trouble figuring out week to week.  They are by far the biggest school in the SCA and there was a time when they were the mightiest.  When they had the running game going out of that bone attack, they were hard to stop.  They wont stay down, but Im not sure this is the year they make their run.

Willow Springs is next on the list.  The Bears have had it a little tough as of late.  A couple of years ago it looked as if they were ready to make a little bit of a rise, but they have suffered through some staff changes and numbers have dropped.  They have a supportive fan base, and really want a winner.  It might take a bit for that to happen, though.

One thing that has not changed is Houston and Cabool will most likely be fighting for the final spot.  These are just a couple of programs that have had trouble getting any kind of traction.  I could very well flip a coin, and did, Heads says that Cabool gets the win in the head to head game and avoids the cellar.

Overall, I may think the league be a little bit down in total talent but there will still be some very competitive football on Friday Nights.  While not everyone plays the smash mouth football of yesteryear there is still plenty that can be found in the league.  Best of luck to all…

My worthless predictions….

1. Ava
2. Mountain Grove
3. Mountain View-Liberty
4. Thayer
5. Salem
6. Willow Springs
7. Cabool
8. Houston

Citing a desire to spend more time with her family, North Arkansas College Women’s coach Stacie Klott has resigned as the leader of the Lady Pioneers and school athletic director.

Klott, a College of the Ozarks grad, and a former assistant coach for the Lady Cats won more than 250 games as helm of the North Ark club.  She has lead them to four appearances in the National Tournament, including the last two.  Those are the only four times the school has qualified.

She is a 3-time region Coach of the Year and a 3-time District Coach of the Year.  Her teams won six regional and four district titles.

North Ark’s loss will be the Branson’s gain as she has accepted a teaching job in the school district.

 

Its time to start taking a look at how I see some of the conference in southwest Missouri stack up this football season.

I am going to start with a conference that although very familiar to me, will become a lot more so starting next year- The Big 8.

There are not many other leagues in the state, well, probably none, where a defending state champ is overshadowed by a smaller class school in the same league.  But Lamar and the Big 8 are not your typical school and conference.

The Tigers are the six-time defending Class 2 State Champs and are the odds on favorite to make it seven in a row.  Their double wing offense that features two possible QBs has proven almost impossible for its opponents to stop.  Add one of the best defenses in SW Missouri and you gets a small idea of what has fueled this dynasty.  With a load of experience back its the easy choice to predict them in the top spot of the league again this year.

If there is a team that can contend with the Tigers it might just be Cassville.  The Wildcats were improved last year and will be counting on the experience of the returning starters to get them back to top spot that they once occupied.

From here it gets a little tougher to predict.  I really like what Tom Cox is once again building in Mount Vernon.  He may have lost QB-Garrett Hadlock and WR- Jarrett Massie to graduation but Andrew Montemayor and company are ready to pick up where they left off.  They faced a tough schedule right out of the gate, facing Reeds Spring, Springfield Catholic, and Monett the first three weeks.

All Monett did last year was win the Class 3 State Championship.  And despite losing a ton of production there is no way I could justify not picking them in the top half of the league.  Returning starters may be small in numbers but being part of “winning it all” can wear off on a team and the Cubs will probably be able to take advantage of that.  Many overlooked them last year and look what the end result was.

I am going to go with Seneca in the next spot.  This is a team that I really look to start to bounce back.  The Indians have a great football tradition and after playing  a lot of young kids last year are probably ready to take advantage of all the experience those players have gained.

Aurora fills the next spot, in my opinion.  The Houn Dawgs are just a couple years away from a state semi-final appearance but had rough go of it last year.  Its a program that will bounce back but it might take another year.

That leaves McDonald County and East Newton.  Although the Patriots showed a little life last year, these are a couple of programs that have been searching for answers in recent years.  They both have new coaches at the helm.  For the simple fact of not knowing any better I will give the slight edge to the bigger school and go with the Mustangs in the seven spot.

 

So my absolutely worthless prediction looks like this…

1. Lamar
2. Cassville
3. Mount Vernon
4. Monett
5. Seneca
6. Aurora
7. McDonald County
8. East Newton

This will be the last Big 8 Champ with the conference as we know it.  Next year Nevada, Reeds Spring, Hollister, Springfield Catholic, Logan-Rogersville, and Marshfield join the league and they will split into two divisions.  Mount Vernon and Aurora will leave the other six schools and join the former COC-small members in the east while the remained members are joined by Nevada in the west.

The IMPACT Camp hosted by Branson came to an end on Thursday as the football season draws even closer.

Eighteen teams opened the Camp on Thursday including Branson, Reeds Spring, and Forsyth. (Hollister took part in a camp at Evangel in Springfield).  Through the heat and humidity the teams got to see live action in a variety of situations including straight Scrimmages, Goal Line Challenge, First and Third Down Challenges, as well as other live action opportunities.  It was a chance to get an early look at your team going head to head with other schools running a number of different styles of offense and defense.

Although the heat and other factors took its toll by the end of Thursday and a number of teams decided to cut the camp short, the event was again a great success.

It was a great chance to get a look at a number of teams, some of their strengths, and some things they all need to work on.

Teams will now enter a “dead” period where they cant practice or have any meaningful sports contact with coaches.  Fall practices get underway bright and early on Monday July 31st.

As far as football goes, Jamborees will be held on Friday Night, Aug 11th with the regular season kicking off Aug 18th.

As I sit here today looking forward to the sports year to come I am also taking time to work on my broadcast schedule for the Fall.

What you may not realize is that there is a lot more that goes into it than simply what games I want to do and don’t want to do.  I will admit that the Fall is the easiest of the three school sports seasons to schedule.

Friday Nights I am with the Wolves doing my radio thing.  Gary Jones will be joining me again on 100.1 and hometowndailynews.com.

Thursdays I am with Reeds Spring for their walk through and working on the pregame show.  Although doing a game with a later start is not out of the possibility (ie Branson Soccer)

For the most part, that leaves Saturday through Wednesday.  For broadcast purposes on this site I have to look at Reeds Spring Softball along with Branson Softball and Branson Soccer.

Normally the first thing I would look for is the Reeds Spring vs Branson softball game.  It would be a must broadcast.  But, they are not scheduled to play this year. However, they could still play in the Springfield Tournament, they did last year, so I have to keep that in mind.  Next, you look for the conference rivalry games.  And one of the first things I noticed is that Reeds Spring-Bolivar and Branson-Nixa are on the same day.  Obviously I can’t be at both places at the same time so I will have to choose between the two. By the way,  Branson Soccer will play a pretty good Greenwood team that night as well.   Also, I have to leave room near the end of the season so that I can be flexible.  Why if one of the teams is in a position to win a conference title.  That’s the kind of thing you would like to be there for.

This gets even tougher in the winter and spring when there are a lot more factors that come into play.

So, if there is a big game or match that I might miss often times there is a pretty good reason as to why.

When all is said an done I will do approx 35-40 games this fall alone.  I guess when I consider that, all the time I spend preparing for football broadcasts each week, not to mention running an insurance agency during day, I can understand why my family waves goodbye to me every August.  And why they all deserve a ton of credit for allowing me to do what I love to do.

The days until Fall Sports get started are counting down.  For most Football Programs today marks the start of Camp.

At Reeds Spring, it won’t be long until Justin Miller, Asa Baker, and Company are paving the way for Seth Stamps to scamper to the endzone.  It wont be long before Ben Moler, Logen Plumb, and the guys are hammering folks.

It wont be long until Hollister’s Jackson Bekemeier is slinging it around the yard.  And we see if Coach Hamon’s defense is ready to take the next step.

It wont be long until we get to see Ryan Still and all his targets debut under new leadership at Branson.

And, perhaps the place with as much anticipation as any is Forsyth, where it wont be long until Varsity Football is being played by the Panthers.

But its not just football.

Before long, Branson’s Gracie Jeager will be making life miserable for opposing pitchers.

Before long Scott Walker’s Lady Wolves will be pushing towards leaving the COC with a championship in hand.

And, before long Branson Pirate Soccer will be looking to make its way in a tough conference and district.

Volleyball will be different this season with new head coaches at: Branson, Hollister, Reeds Spring, and Blue Eye.

You get the idea.  And I have yet to mention Girl’s Tennis and Golf.

Less than six weeks until the first real contests in these sports.  Where has the summer gone?

Ready or not, Get Ready.  Its almost time.

Brandon Gandy has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his Football Career at the University of Northwestern in St Paul Minnesota.

The Lineman bounced back from injuries early in his high school career to help anchor offensive and defensive lines that paved the way for the best season in Hollister Football History.

Gandy also found success on the wrestling mat, qualifying for State this past season.

GandySigning (Click Link for Interview with Brandon)

Well, its been a little bit of a trying week to say the least.  I guess, as far as sports goes, I should be thankful that this happened to me in my “slow time”

For those that do not yet know.  I was bitten by a brown recluse spider.  We found out that I am extremely allergic and I ended up having what they determined was a seizure.  After five units of blood and a lot of antibiotics and a week in CCU I am a little weaker but so excited for what is to come.

I found out that I have a lot of people that care about me.  I am grateful for you all.

Summer camps are in full swing. And I will be calling Wolves games on Friday Nights before you know it. Just Eight Weeks from this Friday Night we will be in full force at Mount Vernon.   It should be a great season.

Reeds Spring and Hollister got their share of recognition from COC coaches…

Pitchers

First Team

Noah Briley- RS

Second Team

Jackson Beckemeier-Hollister

Infielders

First Team

Payton Weber-Hollister

Second Team

Seth Stamps- RS

Ethan Parks-Hollister

Outfield

First Team

Landon Farquhar-Hollister

Catchers

First Team

Chance Herrman-RS

Second Team

Jenner Steele-Hollister

DH/Utility

First Team

Collin Cross-RS

The Aurora Houn Dawgs won the Class 4 District 11 Championship in dramatic fashion and went on, today, to claim the Class 4 State Title.  It is no surprise that they dominate the All-District Team.  Logan-Rogersville, who was one strike away from winning the Title themselves only managed one player on the first team.

Reeds Spring, who won their opening round contest, before losing to the eventual Champs landed a first teamer and a couple on the second team.  And host Hollister got representation as well, putting two on the first team and three on the second team.   Congrats to all that were honored…

First Team

Jordan Fitzpatrick- Logan-Rogersville*

Jenner Steele-Hollister*

Zac Shoemaker-Aurora*

Wyatt Sparks-Aurora*

Gage Singer-Aurora*

Matthew Miller-Aurora*

Mason Dickemann-Catholic*

Zach Cole-Catholic*

Chance Herrman-Reeds Spring

Brett Campbell-Mount Vernon

Chance Fenton-Mount Vernon

Will Duff-Catholic

Landon Farquhar-Hollister

* donotes an unanimous pick

 

Second Team

Tegan Rambo-Logan-Rogersville

Shane Grueren-Logan-Rogersville

Jackson Bekemeier-Hollister

Payton Weber-Hollister

Preston Naylor-Aurora

Kaleb Baker-Aurora

Noah Briley-Reeds Spring

Christian Cassanova-Logan-Rogersville

Ethan Parks-Hollister

Seth Stamps-Reeds Spring

Ryan Grueren-Logan-Rogersville

Josef Luthy-Catholic

Hayes Hutter-Catholic