Month: October 2017

by Perry Phillips

Reeds Spring traveled to Cassville last night looking to advance in the district playoffs and at the same time looking to avenge a Week 2 loss to the Wildcats.  And, they did both in a big way, claiming a 42-7 decision.

The Wolves jumped on the Wildcats early and didn’t look back.  The Reeds Spring defense forced a Cassville fumble on their opening drive and followed that by driving the length of the field to score and an Austin Staugaard run.

Cassville would answer, burning the Wolves over the top for a 70 yard scoring strike.  But, that would be the only time, all night, the Wildcats would find the endzone.

Kelly Newton would get going with a 53 yard run to end the scoring in the first quarter and would add another 69 yard score in the second quarter.  Reeds Spring had control 21-7 at the half.

Seth Stamps would score on a touchdown pass from Blake Gronvold midway through the third quarter  They would add two more scores in the final period including another long run from Newton.

It was a night where Reeds Spring would again control the line of scrimmage in both sides of the ball.  No matter what Cassville threw at them, the Wolves seemed to be ready

Newton would go over 200 yards on the night and has now gone over 1700 for the season, adding to his school record.  With that fourth quarter touchdown, the senior fullback had now found the endzone 20 times breaking the school record set by Nick Haddock in 2015.

As a team Reeds Spring added to the record book as well.  They broke the mark set last year for team rushing yards in a season.  They broke the season scoring mark set two years ago.  And they became the first Reeds Spring team to win 9 games in a row.

They will look to add to those numbers and get a chance to avenge a season opening loss to Mount Vernon when they host the Mountaineers on Friday Night for the District Championship.   Game time is set for 7:00 at Carl Langley Field.

 

The NAIA has released its Division II preseason basketball coaches poll and Becky Vest’s College of the Ozarks Lady Cats will start the season as the sixth ranked team in the country.

The Lady Cats return a large part of last years squad, including All-Americans Kelsie Cleeton and Cassidy Johnson.  As well as the leadership of seniors: Lakin Simmerman, Shelby Roberts, and Madison Wells.  They are joined by a great recruiting class that includes the Missouri Three Point Shooting record holder, Abby Oliver.

The Lady Cats and Bobcats open the season on Friday against Morningside.  Women’s game tips at 5:30 at the Keeter Athletic Complex.

 

 

2017-18 NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll (Oct. 24)

RANK	LAST WEEK	SCHOOL [1ST PLACE VOTES	2016-17 RECORD	TOTAL POINTS
1	1	Marian (Ind.) [11]	35-3	312
2	2	Saint Xavier (Ill.) [1]	34-3	302
3	3	Concordia (Neb.)	34-3	293
4	5	Southeastern (Fla.)	28-1	276
5	4	St. Francis (Ill.)	34-2	275
6	6	College of the Ozarks (Mo.)	28-5	266
7	7	Eastern Oregon	30-5	249
8	9	Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)	27-7	241
9	8	Jamestown (N.D.)	27-6	236
10	11	Morningside (Iowa)	24-9	225
11	13	Cardinal Stritch (Wis.)	25-7	207
12	14	Tabor (Kan.)	27-7	193
13	15	Indiana East	29-6	180
14	17	Indiana Tech	25-8	169
15	15	Southern Oregon	27-5	168
16	12	Friends (Kan.)	28-6	167
17	18	Northwestern (Iowa)	20-12	164
18	19	Indiana Northwest	25-7	125
19	NR	Reinhardt (Ga.)	27-6	122
20	21	Hastings (Neb.)	22-10	115
21	NR	Saint Francis (Ind.)	18-16	110
22	23	Siena Heights (Mich.)	24-10	98
23	NR	Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)	20-12	91
24	25	Milligan (Tenn.)	23-10	77
24	NR	UC Merced	17-12	77

Others Receiving Votes: Mayville State (N.D.) 56; Northwest Christian (Ore.) 27; Saint Mary (Kan.) 26; IU Kokomo 25; Oregon Tech 22; Point (Ga.) 13; Taylor (Ind.) 10; Indiana Wesleyan 8; Valley City State (N.D.) 7; Kansas Wesleyan 6; Trinity Christian (Ill.) 6; Aquinas (Mich.) 4; Keiser (Fla.) 3; Bellevue (Neb.) 3

Reeds Spring opened up play in the District Playoffs last night by hosting defending state champion Monett.

Most were expecting a tight contest but the Wolves had different ideas as they dominated all three phases of the game and rolled to a 59-6 win over the Cubs.

Reeds Spring would only have to go one yard on its first offensive drive after a bad snap on Monett’s first punt set the Wolves up.  Blake Gronvold take the first snap and follow Austin Bradfield across the goal line to get the scoring started.

Kelly Newton would add the first of his two touchdowns with 5:41 left  in the first quarter.  Add two safeties and the home team had an 18-0 lead at the end of the first twelve minutes.

The Wolves would put the game away before intermission scoring FIVE second quarter touchdowns, including two from Logen Plumb.  The 6-5 senior showed his versatility with a nice pick six for his first score and then added a touchdown reception to bring an end to the first half.  In total Reeds Spring would lead 52-0 going into the break.

Newton would play only one play in the second half.  On the first play from scrimmage, the fullback took the handoff and ran up the middle for 15 yards.  That put him over the 1500 mark for the season, becoming the first Wolf to ever reach that mark.

The rest of the Wolves starters would come out a few plays later and Sean Gross would finish leading  them on a scoring drive had ended with a Cody Hughes 6 yard run.

Reeds Spring would substitute heavily the rest of the night.  Monett would break up the shutout on a Cody Thompson touchdown reception with 6:05 left to play.

The defense gave the offense a short field most of the night.  As they frustrated the Monett offense and owned the line of scrimmage.

With the win Reeds Spring advances to the District Semi-finals and will travel to Cassville next week.

Branson advances with a victory over Central and will head to Lebanon next week.  Hollister saw their season come to an end at the hands of Cassville.

The State Football Poll has been released for the final before the playoffs get underway.  Reeds Spring is receiving votes and just outside the top ten at #11.  Here is a look at the poll, with SW Missouri teams in bold..

No surprises in the final district standings for area teams… Reeds Spring did everything they could but came up less than a point short of  Seneca for the top spot.

Class 3

1. Seneca                    8-1       44.86
2. Reeds Spring          7-2       44.04
3. Cassville                6-3       38.34
4. Aurora                   5-4         34.08
5. Mt Vernon             5-4          33
6. Monett                   3-6          27.32
7. Hollister                2-7           22.21
8. East Newton         0-9          14.18

As I pointed out in previous weeks, things will look a little different when the seedings come out this afternoon.  Teams are exactly as predicted last week.   Despite the better record and the point advantage, Reeds Spring will drop behind Cassville  because they lost to the Wildcats Week 2.  The seedings will and match-ups will look like this

 

8. East Newton  at   1.  Seneca

5. Mt Vernon  at  4.  Aurora

7. Hollister  at  2.  Cassville

6. Monett  at  3. Reeds Spring

Class 5

1. Lebanon           6-3       36.29
2. Glendale          5-4         33.4
3. Ozark               5-4         32.6
4. Branson           3-6           23.28
5. Waynesville      0-9         17.33
6. Central              0-9         12.43

A couple of flip flops from the standings in this one… But it is the same as I have predicted for the last 4 weeks…Branson finished two games behind Ozark and nearly ten points but the Pirates beat them head to head and Glendale beat Lebanon in their Ozarks Conference game.

1. Glendale    BYE

2.  Lebanon    BYE

5. Waynesville  at 4. Ozark

6. Central   at   3.  Branson

The long awaited match-up between Reeds Spring and Springfield Catholic took place last night, in front of a huge crowd, at Carl Langley Field.  And as many expected, going into the season, the final Small Central Ozarks Conference Championships was on the line.

The teams had been part of a three way tie with Bolivar a year ago.  This season both defeated the Liberators, as well as all other schools in the league.  This set up the winner take all game for the title.

Reeds Spring would take the opening kickoff and only use one minute to get on the scoreboard.  Kelly Newton scored the first of this two touchdowns on the night on a 69 yard run.

It would not take the Wolves long to strike again.  1:19 later it was Seth Stamps crossing the goal line on a 39-yard score to make it 14-0 while people were still arriving.

Catholic would answer with its best drive of the night.  They took six minutes to drive the field and ended with a Tyson Riley, one yard score.

That would be it for the Irish on the night.  Reeds Spring added another Stamps score in the final minute of the first quarter.  And, Reeds Spring led 21-7 after the first twelve minutes.

Kelly Newton broke loose on a 67 yard score in the second quarter and the Wolves were able to cruise from there.

Cole Watson got is name in the scoring column with a fourth quarter touchdown that gave us the 35-7 final.

Reeds Spring would rack up 332 rushing yards in the first half alone.  Kelly Newton ran unofficially for 243 yards for the night on just 11 carries.  The senior fullback has now rushed for over 1400 on the season.

The Reeds Spring defense frustrated Riley and the Irish offense most of the night.

The Championship is the first ever outright COC title for Wolves.  The last time they had a Conference title to themselves was 1981 as members of the Green County League.

 

The fall seasons continue to wind down on us..  The Class 5 District 10 Soccer Tournament has been seeded.

Branson received the four seed and will take on the host Nixa on the Eagles home field at 5:00 on Monday Oct 23rd

Joplin and Ozark will play at 7.  The winners will meet for the Championship and a birth in the State Playoffs at 6:00 on Thursday the 26th.

Hollister Tiger head football coach Jacob Hamon is about to receive enshrinement into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.   The leader of the Tiger program is being recognized for his accomplishments on the field as a player at Branson High School and later at Evangel University in Springfield.

Hamon is listed as one of this years ELITE 11,  which recognizes players who excelled on the field at the high school and college level in Missouri.

During his years as a Pirate, Hamon was a force at the linebacker position.  Playing for head coach Steve Hancock and Defensive Coordinator Ron Martin, Hamon was credited with 152 career tackles, then a Branson Pirate Program Record.  He was named Class 4 All-State for his efforts his senior year in 2003.  Then the linebacker standout went on to get his education and play his college ball at Evangel.

This years class is highlighted by former MIZZOU quarterback Brad Smith and former Missouri State Football Coach Jesse Branch.

Also of local interest, the 1981 State Championship Football team from Greenwood High School will be honored.  Among the team members is my long time broadcasting partner Scott McCaulley.

The MSHOF’s annual Football Luncheon is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield.

 

The seasons for all fall sports are reaching the post-season and that includes Volleyball.   District Tournament seeds have been released..

Class 1

Blue Eye is the number one seed at Galena.  The Lady Bulldogs get a first round bye and will play the winner of the Hurley vs Chadwick match in Tuesdays semi-final.

Galena and Bradleyville got the three and six seeds respectively and will play on Monday for the right to play second seeded School of the Ozarks.

Class 2

Forsyth is the six seed in the district at Clever.  The Lady Panthers will face Spokane in Monday’s opening round.

Class 3

Reeds Spring is the #3 seed and will take on #6 Mountain Grove in the opening round at Logan-Rogersville on Monday.

Earlier that night fifth seeded Hollister will take on #4 Springfield Catholic.

Class 4

Branson is the fifth seed in the district at Kickapoo.  The Lady Pirates will play West Plains in the opening round.  Like the others, that first round will take place on Monday Night.

The new state football rankings have been released.  The teams from SW Missouri are in bold.  Local teams will get a first hand look at a couple of ranked teams this week.  Branson is at Class 4 #1 Webb City and Reeds Spring hosts Class 3 #10 Springfield Catholic with the final Small COC Title on the line.

CLASS 6
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. CBC (13), 7-1, 148, 1
2. Eureka (2), 8-0, 134, 2
3. Blue Springs, 6-2, 117, 3
4. Lee’s Summit West, 7-1, 105, 4
5. Kirkwood, 6-1, 97, 5
6. Park Hill, 6-2, 77, 6
7. Rock Bridge, 7-1, 52, 10
8. Lindbergh, 7-1, 39, 7
9. Hazelwood Central, 7-1, 32, 9
10. Rockhurst, 5-3, 21, 8
Also receiving votes: Francis Howell (6-2), 5; Ft. Zumwalt West (6-2), 1; Joplin (7-1), 1

CLASS 5
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Vianney (15), 8-0, 150, 1
2. Staley, 8-0, 133, 2
3. Fort Zumwalt North, 8-0, 122, 3
4. Liberty, 7-1, 104, 5
5. Fort Osage, 6-2, 89, 6
6. Poplar Bluff, 8-0, 60, 7
7. Pattonville, 4-3, 59, 8
8. Battle, 5-3, 46, 4
9. Sedalia Smith-Cotton, 8-0, 33, 9
10. Webster Groves, 4-2, 26, 10
Also receiving votes: Carthage (5-3), 3

CLASS 4
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Webb City (15), 7-0, 150, 1 
2. Carl Junction, 7-1, 133, 2 
3. Platte County, 7-1, 122, 4
4. Parkway Central, 7-1, 97, 5
5. Ladue, 6-2, 87, 6
6. Kearney, 6-2, 77, 3
7. St. Francis Borgia, 8-0, 52, 10
8. Smithville, 7-1, 29, 8
9. MICDS, 6-2, 26, NR
10. Parkway North, 4-4, 20, 7
Dropped out: No. 9 Camdenton
Also receiving votes: St. Mary’s (7-1), 17; Grain Valley (6-2), 5; Moberly (6-2), 4; West Plains (6-2), 4; Camdenton (6-2), 2

CLASS 3
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. McCluer South-Berkeley (14), 6-0, 149, 1
2. Blair Oaks (1), 8-0, 135, 2
3. Park Hills Central, 8-0, 119, 3
4. Seneca, 8-0, 99, 4 
5. Chillicothe, 7-1, 91, 5
6. Center, 7-1, 76, 6
7. Eldon, 7-1, 60, 7
8. Maryville, 6-2, 42, 8
9. Hogan Prep Academy, 8-0, 33, 9
10. Springfield Catholic, 7-1, 15, 10
Also receiving votes: Mexico (6-2), 6

CLASS 2
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Lamar (13), 7-0, 148, 1
2. Trinity (2), 7-0, 137, 2
3. Lutheran North, 8-0, 119, 3
4. Ava, 8-0, 98, 4
5. Cardinal Ritter, 7-1, 77, 6
6. Lafayette County, 8-0, 73, 9
7. North Callaway, 7-1, 68, 7
8. Palmyra, 7-1, 40, 8
9. Lexington, 7-1, 29, 5
10. South Callaway, 7-1, 28, 10
Also receiving votes: Malden (7-1), 8

CLASS 1
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Monroe City (14), 8-0, 149, 1
2. Marceline (1), 8-0, 133, 2
3. Valle Catholic, 7-1, 117, 3
4. Hamilton-Penney, 7-1, 102, 4
5. Lincoln, 8-0, 94, 5 
6. Pierce City, 8-0, 79, 6 
7. Fayette, 6-1, 60, 8
8. Princeton, 8-0, 32, 9
9. Sarcoxie, 8-0, 29, 10
10. Hayti, 6-2, 16, 7
Also receiving votes: Thayer (6-2), 6; East Buchanan (7-1), 4; Westran (6-2), 2; Adrian (8-0), 1; Crest Ridge (8-0), 1