Big 8

[Mister_Wizard]

Can any conferences match or beat this, either this season or in the past?

Four district champions in three classes….
Class 4 Nevada and McDonald County
Class 3 Seneca
Class 2 Lamar

 

[Wubbalubbadubdub]

Pretty impressive.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Can any conferences match or beat this, either this season or in the past?

Four district champions in three classes….
Class 4 Nevada and McDonald County
Class 3 Seneca
Class 2 Lamar

Well let’s be honest, most conferences don’t let schools with 1,100+ students in when they have schools with not even 500 students

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Lamar enrollment 9-12: 400 roughly

McDonald Co. 9-12: 1,085 roughly

If there were more conferences that are classified as small/medium size schools that had this this kind of an enrollment disparity, then this wouldn’t be such an anomaly.

 

[thetophat2021]

Can any conferences match or beat this, either this season or in the past?

Four district champions in three classes….
Class 4 Nevada and McDonald County
Class 3 Seneca
Class 2 Lamar

What makes that league so great is look how many other schools (Cassville, Monett, Reeds Spring in particular) have had major recent success!

 

[tigerfan_55]

If you play in the Big 8 or the COC you better bring your A game every week! Some good football being played in SW Missouri! Congrats to all the teams still alive! We were at the Mc County game, to say they were excited would be an understatement.

 

[Craig Hull]

When I arrived at the Joplin Globe in 1997 and was assigned Carl Junction and the Big 8 Conference beat, I began reviewing the history to understand the strength of the Big 8, which has only grown since then.

In 54 years of MSHSAA playoffs (this year is No. 55), the conference has 18 state championships, 11 state runner-ups and more trips to the semifinals than I was able to go back and look up.

This year is obviously special since the league has three* Class 4 members and two earned district titles. The Big 8 having a Class 2 and Class 3 district champion is almost a given due to the success of Lamar, Seneca, Mount Vernon, Cassville, Monett and Aurora. However, it is one thing to win a district, making the postseason run to the semifinals and championship is where the league has earned its reputation.

Look at the years of the titles also, the Big 8 has had a state championship in each decade since the playoff system in Missouri began:
Lamar 8 state championships, two runner ups (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020)
Monett 3 state championships (1971, 1977, 2016)
Seneca 2 state championships, five runner ups (1987, 1995)
Cassville 2 state championships, one runner up (2008, 2009)
Aurora 2 state championships (1969, 1999)
Mount Vernon 1 state championship, 2 runner ups (1978)

Since the 2017 merger, Reeds Spring added a runner up. Prior to the merger, Springfield Catholic had a state championship in 1997 and a runner up, Logan-Rogersville had a state title in 2011.
The 2001 season had the chance to be special for the Big 8 when Carl Junction made it to the Class 3 semifinals only to lose to eventual state champion Platte County and in 2000, East Newton made it to the Class 2 semifinals only to lose to eventual state champion St. Pius X.

*--Corrected

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

When I arrived at the Joplin Globe in 1997 and was assigned Carl Junction and the Big 8 Conference beat, I began reviewing the history to understand the strength of the Big 8, which has only grown since then.

In 54 years of MSHSAA playoffs (this year is No. 55), the conference has 18 state championships, 11 state runner-ups and more trips to the semifinals than I was able to go back and look up.

This year is obviously special since the league has two Class 4 members and both earned district titles. The Big 8 having a Class 2 and Class 3 district champion is almost a given due to the success of Lamar, Seneca, Mount Vernon, Cassville, Monett and Aurora. However, it is one thing to win a district, making the postseason run to the semifinals and championship is where the league has earned its reputation.

Look at the years of the titles also, the Big 8 has had a state championship in each decade since the playoff system in Missouri began:
Lamar 8 state championships, two runner ups (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020)
Monett 3 state championships (1971, 1977, 2016)
Seneca 2 state championships, five runner ups (1987, 1995)
Cassville 2 state championships, one runner up (2008, 2009)
Aurora 2 state championships (1969, 1999)
Mount Vernon 1 state championship, 2 runner ups (1978)

Since the 2017 merger, Reeds Spring added a runner up. Prior to the merger, Springfield Catholic had a state championship in 1997 and a runner up, Logan-Rogersville had a state title in 2011.
The 2001 season had the chance to be special for the Big 8 when Carl Junction made it to the Class 3 semifinals only to lose to eventual state champion Platte County and in 2000, East Newton made it to the Class 2 semifinals only to lose to eventual state champion St. Pius X.

The league actually has three Class 4 members, don’t forget about Monett.

 

[Craig Hull]

Correct ... Over the years I was accustomed to Monett being Class 3 that I forgot they are Class 4. No disrespect intended.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Correct ... Over the years I was accustomed to Monett being Class 3 that I forgot they are Class 4. No disrespect intended.

It’s easy to forget that they’re in Class 4.

I wanna say they’ve only been in C4 for maybe 5 years or so, whereas I think for Nevada it’s been 10ish at least.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Mac will probably be C4 forever.

I expect their enrollment to dip just a little with the closing of the Tyson in Noel

 

[Arcola]

Mac will probably be C4 forever.

I expect their enrollment to dip just a little with the closing of the Tyson in Noel

Maybe but that area is also getting kids that their parents work in NW Arkansas.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Maybe but that area is also getting kids that their parents work in NW Arkansas.

I don’t expect it to take a huge dip, just a bit. Maybe 30 kids or something like that.

 

[bullitpdq68]

It’s easy to forget that they’re in Class 4.

I wanna say they’ve only been in C4 for maybe 5 years or so, whereas I think for Nevada it’s been 10ish at least.

I think people in Monett forget we are class 4, takes a different level of commitment to compete, especially when you are a small class 4. We need our athletes to be in multi sports and not specializing.

 

[Mister_Wizard]

Well let’s be honest, most conferences don’t let schools with 1,100+ students in when they have schools with not even 500 students

My counterpoint would be that the Ozark Conference and the Central Ozark Conference has schools in three different classes and most likely an even greater enrollment disparity from the largest to the smallest.

But neither won four district championships this year nor district ‘ships in three different classes.

 

[AC100]

My counterpoint would be that the Ozark Conference and the Central Ozark Conference has schools in three different classes and most likely an even greater enrollment disparity from the largest to the smallest.

But neither won four district championships this year nor district ‘ships in three different classes.

COC had 3 and 4 was not out of the question.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

My counterpoint would be that the Ozark Conference and the Central Ozark Conference has schools in three different classes and most likely an even greater enrollment disparity from the largest to the smallest.

But neither won four district championships this year nor district ‘ships in three different classes.

I guess you missed the part where I said small/medium school size conferences.

 

[Mister_Wizard]

COC had 3 and 4 was not out of the question.

Agree and that’s what makes me credit the Big 8. Had the COC pulled it off this year, the Big 8 wouldn’t have. But tip of the cap to them.

 

[hitch_and_go]

2019 Joplin class 6 runner ups
Carthage class 5 champion
Webb City class 4 champion

 

[AC100]

2019 Joplin class 6 runner ups
Carthage class 5 champion
Webb City class 4 champion

I was thinking of 2019 COC.

 

[AC100]

Agree and that’s what makes me credit the Big 8. Had the COC pulled it off this year, the Big 8 wouldn’t have. But tip of the cap to them.

This is fair.

 

[Mitsurugi san]

I think people in Monett forget we are class 4, takes a different level of commitment to compete, especially when you are a small class 4. We need our athletes to be in multi sports and not specializing.

Hard to do in 2023 😬 (way too much is expected of high school athletes out of season these days to not specialize)

 

[bullitpdq68]

Well right now SWMO has some really good football being played COC and Big 8.

 

[Mister_Wizard]

2019 Joplin class 6 runner ups
Carthage class 5 champion
Webb City class 4 champion

Same school year that the COC also had the state’s only undefeated basketball team as well, college or high school, boys or girls.

 

[I2R I]

2019 Joplin class 6 runner ups
Carthage class 5 champion
Webb City class 4 champion

Joplin was the best C6 Public School.

 

[I2R I]

Well let’s be honest, most conferences don’t let schools with 1,100+ students in when they have schools with not even 500 students

Most schools not named Lamar would not want to compete against the disparity in enrollment. If Lamar was like Branson, they would be spending their energy putting together their own conference so they could play Skyline, Ash Grove, Stockton, Diamond, Sarcoxie, Pierce City, and Miller. Gotta love Lamar. If i remember correctly, they won a couple state championships before they were Big 8 Champs?

 

[hitch_and_go]

Most schools not named Lamar would not want to compete against the disparity in enrollment. If Lamar was like Branson, they would be spending their energy putting together their own conference so they could play Skyline, Ash Grove, Stockton, Diamond, Sarcoxie, Pierce City, and Miller. Gotta love Lamar. If i remember correctly, they won a couple state championships before they were Big 8 Champs?

It has been trending that way for Webb too . I think their last two state championships they didn't win the coc . Winning state is easier than running through the coc unbeaten . Wild

 

[golfindude]

Not a knock on anyone but as long as I can remember the Big 8 and schools west have dominated in football over the eastern schools. Basketball is another story though. That goes back to the 60's.

 

[bullitpdq68]

Most schools not named Lamar would not want to compete against the disparity in enrollment. If Lamar was like Branson, they would be spending their energy putting together their own conference so they could play Skyline, Ash Grove, Stockton, Diamond, Sarcoxie, Pierce City, and Miller. Gotta love Lamar. If i remember correctly, they won a couple state championships before they were Big 8 Champs?

That is true now, however just a few years before the arrival of Bailey Lamar was trying to leave the Big 8, they were exploring their options.

 

[503_Maple]

Most schools not named Lamar would not want to compete against the disparity in enrollment. If Lamar was like Branson, they would be spending their energy putting together their own conference so they could play Skyline, Ash Grove, Stockton, Diamond, Sarcoxie, Pierce City, and Miller. Gotta love Lamar. If i remember correctly, they won a couple state championships before they were Big 8 Champs?

That’s true, but I think if you want to improve your chances if you are building a program? You probably should. Maybe not class 4 if you are a class 2 school. (To that level) but I don’t imagine it’s a bad thing. Better than playing schools with nothing and playing down like a lot of smaller schools. Doesn’t do a thing for you. That’s certain. Of course there’s a lot that goes into it. You need the culture and etc, but objectively it’s helpful.

 

[Veer2Eternity]

That is true now, however just a few years before the arrival of Bailey Lamar was trying to leave the Big 8, they were exploring their options.

I can remember when Scott first got that job. He brought Lamar up to 7 on 7 at Adrian and it wasn't pretty. That was a remarkable turn around.

 

[Veer2Eternity]

Hard to do in 2023 😬 (way too much is expected of high school athletes out of season these days to not specialize)

You sound like a baseball or volleyball coach.

 

[MoSooner69]

Hard to do in 2023 😬 (way too much is expected of high school athletes out of season these days to not specialize)

This is exactly the problem at a lot of schools today. I could not disagree more.... Kids told by outside influences that they need to "specialize" and get a scholarship.

 

[J. Kane]

This is exactly the problem at a lot of schools today. I could not disagree more.... Kids told by outside influences that they need to "specialize" and get a scholarship.

 

[bullitpdq68]

Not a knock on anyone but as long as I can remember the Big 8 and schools west have dominated in football over the eastern schools. Basketball is another story though. That goes back to the 60's.

There was even a thread on this board that actually discussed this. West Football East Basketball.

 

[Veer2Eternity]

This is exactly the problem at a lot of schools today. I could not disagree more.... Kids told by outside influences that they need to "specialize" and get a scholarship.

And those outside influences get paid big bucks to get those kids to specialize.

 

[Mitsurugi san]

You sound like a baseball or volleyball coach.

…or a parent of a player of one or more of those sports (also basketball).

 

[Mitsurugi san]

For those kids who are fighting for every second of playing time, showing up to every little thing the coach floats out there feels like it can make or break your chances (as they say, 80% of success is showing up)…

…and when every sport is like that, it’s a lot to ask of a kid to do more than a couple 🤷🏻‍♂️

(…and for kids too young to drive, it’s a lot to ask of the parents to get them here there and everywhere).

 

[BearsCountry]

CMAC had 3 district champs in 3 different classes as well - Class 6 Rock Bridge, Class 5 Helias and Class 4 Jefferson City.

 

[Veer2Eternity]

CMAC had 3 district champs in 3 different classes as well - Class 6 Rock Bridge, Class 5 Helias and Class 4 Jefferson City.

"Class 4"*