As we head to Week Nine of the High School Football season district seeds for our local teams seem to be pretty much set. But, there is still plenty to play for, this week, for all three teams.
The most notable is Reeds Spring. The Wolves got the big win over Bolivar earlier this season but still needed to run their way through the rest of the season. Now, Springfield Catholic is all that stands in the way of the Wolves and their first ever outright Central Ozarks Conference Title. In case you are wondering the last time Reeds Spring won a league to themselves? Try 1981 in the Green County League.
Catholic will provide a real task for the Wolves. The Irish have improved throughout the season after losing a couple of close games early in the year. They run out of the flexbone, like the Wolves. However they place the quarterback in a pistol formation instead of under center. Containing the QB will be key if Reeds Spring is going to get the win. Tyson Riley is a special athlete. The sophomore makes them go on offense.
For me, its kind of ironic. Most people know I have waited a long time for the Wolves to accomplish this. And to make it happen they will have to finish it off against a team coached by Steve Hancock and Ron Martin. This should be a great football game.
Branson is locked into the number four seed in their six-team district ahead of winless Central and Waynesville. The Pirates will almost assuredly host Central in the opening round of Districts next week. But they have Webb City this week. Its a very good Webb City team but a Webb City team that is in unusual territory for them. The Cardinals will not win the COC and are only 5-3 on the season. If the Pirates could find a way to tack on the fourth loss, it would go a long way for Confidence heading into district play. Who knows what they could do from there?
And, Hollister. The Tigers got the win over Strafford on Senior Night last week and have now won four games for the first time in school history. They set fifth in the district standings but do have an outside chance of moving up to the fourth spot which would mean a HOME GAME in districts, that would be huge. They will most likely play Mt Vernon either way. (Unless Mt Vernon would upset Cassville, but thats a whole different story) Even more important than that a win over Marshfield would give them FIVE and guarantee they finish at at least .500 for the first time.
So lots of things to look at on Friday Night no matter which team you follow. Its hard to believe that we are winding down the season. Make sure you get out this Friday Night and cheer one of these teams on to Victory.