SCA Football likely to be a two team race again

Over the next couple of weeks I will take a look at some of the Conference Football races in SW Missouri headed into the upcoming football season.

I am going to start with a look at the South Central Association. While certainly not an expert on the league, I have become somewhat familiar through match-ups with area teams as well as paying attention because of some friends that have a rooting interest for teams in the league.

Anytime you talk about the SCA you have to talk about Mountain Grove. Call their fans crazy or radical if you want but one thing you must call them is passionate. They love their Panthers. And, over the years they have had plenty to cheer about. This year will likely not be an exception. Despite a new head coach, look for similar results. They will be at or near the top of the league.

While there were years that Mountain View-Liberty was an easy target for football teams on Friday Night, those days are long over. The Eagles are among the elite teams in SW Missouri in any classification. They were a heartbeat away from knocking off Lamar a year ago and many think this is the year that they might actually have what it takes to slay the Giant.

From a visitors standpoint, if I had to pick a school with the “nicest” fans, I could very well go with Willow Springs. The Bears faithful are among the most hospitable folks that I have had the pleasure to be around. There have been some lean years as of late but that does not ever seem to dampen their enthusiasm.

There was a time when folks absolutely hated the trip to Dent County to take on Salem. They have the largest student body in the league. In their glory years when they had the “bone” working at its best, they would line up and run it down your throat and dare you to stop them. Times have been a little tougher as of late, but with the sheer numbers that they have to pick from, it may to take a lot to get back on the right track.

Thayer is one of those small schools that have earned the respect of much larger opponents everywhere. Anytime you take on the green and white you had better be ready for a battle. They were among the best Class 1 had to offer last year. They lost some talent to graduation, but dont expect them to hang their heads. When the end of the season comes they will be in a position to battle for a district title.

Ava is another team that has seemingly been on the rise as of late. The Bears have shown the ability to knock off teams at the top of the league. When they get that offense clicking they can put up some big numbers.

The Texas County Schools, Houston and Cabool, round out the league. They have fallen on tough times as of late.

If you like good old fashion rivalries, this is probably the league for you. The SCA is among the oldest Conferences in the state and in a time of changes and jumping leagues, they have stayed remarkably stable. I used to say that if you want to see just good old-fashioned football, this is where you belong. Well, you will see a little spread now, but that is certainly the exception and not the rule here.

My worthless prediction….