For the last two years there has been a lot of speculation as to where the Reeds Spring Wolves and Hollister Tigers would call home. Talks heated up even more when Hollister announced they were leaving the Central Ozarks Conference, soon to be followed by Buffalo.
There were initially talks of forming a new league. But those never got the traction they needed to happen. It was apparent, however, that the Small COC was on life support and would not survive, at least in its current configuration.
Numerous Outlets are now reporting that a deal has been struck to drastically increase the size of one of the most storied conferences in the state of Missouri- The Big 8. The Conference has issued a press release to the same effect. The remaining schools in the Small COC, minus Bolivar have been invited to join the league, along with Nevada. Hollister is included in this group. (Buffalo has opted to join a new conference with schools to its north)
To be honest this is different that what I had envisioned. I did think that once it became clear the COC was on its last leg that Reeds Spring would end up in the Big 8. However, I envisioned a ten team league that would have also included just one of the other teams invited. My thoughts saw Hollister eventually joining the Mid-Lakes. But, this may be better for all those involved. The travel will be nothing like it would have been had my thoughts come to fruition. And while football may be the first thing that comes to many minds when they see this, its some of the other sports that may actually benefit most from this new “super league”.
In this NEW BIG EIGHT, the teams will be divided into two divisions: The west will include Lamar, East Newton, Monett, McDonald County, Nevada Seneca, and Cassville. Aurora and Mt Vernon will leave the group they have been with for years and join Reeds Spring, Hollister, Catholic, Logan-Rogersville, and Marshfield in the east.
Lots of rumors are being floated around but scheduling questions have not totally been decided as of yet. Schools range in size from Class 2 (Lamar) to Class 4 (McDonald County, Nevada, and Marshfield)
It is important to note that although this is more than likely going to happen, nothing is official until all of the school boards from the invitees approve of moving to the new league. Hollister and Nevada have already given their approval with the rest expected in the coming days.
Its hard not be looking ahead to some of the potential matchups that could happen in cross-division games. But before Wolves fans start looking for the best places to eat in Lamar and Hollister fans start searching mapquest for the best way to drive to East Newton, we better wait and see how this all shakes out.
For me and my “countdown” mentality, it gives me something to talk about and look forward to in the coming days.