Does Lamar have what it takes

[I2R I]

Based on what you have seen, heard and read about teams across the state after 6 weeks, what do you think the Tigers chances are of winning their 8th championship in a row and once again reining supreme atop the Class 2 mountain.
Is it, there may be “better” teams but it won’t matter? You can’t commit to an opinion until after they square off against Cassville in week 9? They may be beatable but you’ll have to see it to believe it? What is you take?

 

[bhunt95]

Think the top 4 teams in class 2 can all win it. the 2 semi's going be dandy's.

Lamar: Experience, physical, coaching

Lathrop: Holt getting his Wing T offense in high gear.

Lutheran North: Pure Talent

Blair Oaks: High Power Passing game and RPO plays, coaching, scouting. (former Jeff City coach finds weaknesses in opponents and plays to those advantages)

 

[anon_o1osz027druk9]

Lamar will have to improve on lineplay. I’ve seen Lamar play at Aurora this year. I see the potential this year. And I think with that coaching and size they have on both sides of the ball they will reach it. Going to state will be a little bit tough. Lathrop looks good. Albeit plays really no one that stands out like a Cassville level school like Lamar plays. (Meaning someone ranked high in the class they are in) Lamar has the easiest path. The question is? If Lamar does what Lamar does. Will Lamar compete by this time with a Blair Oaks? Or with a Lutheran North. I was impressed with Lamar’s ability to do all things. But the line movement wasn’t as good as the past few years. I was talking to a fan, and he told me they are not as experienced, or really young this year on the line. I’m going to the Lamar vs Cassville game. I might have to respond on this thread than and say what I saw.

 

[Anders4]

Lathrop's skill kids are legit. Very, very talented. If they have a weakness it is the OL/DL. Good players, just not great. I have not seen the other 3 but I would guess they are better up front than Lathrop.

I think Lathrop will give Lamar a run for their money but in the end, I think Lamar wins. This is just assuming Lamar is as good on the OL/DL as they have been in years past. As I said before, I have not seen Lamar play this year, just basing that opinion on previous years viewings.

 

[PapaT23]

Except for Seneca, the Tigers have not been pushed this year. Seneca went nose to nose for one half, then Lamar came out the second half and scored 28 unanswered points to blow it open. Lamar should not be tested again until week 9 at Cassville. Win or lose, this is the kind of game this team needs. If Lamar comes to play, they should not have any problem in districts. In the quarters, Ava, Fair Grove, or Strafford will all be formidable foes and could give Lamar all they want. Then if Lamar gets through that, several good teams could be waiting including Lathrop, Lawson, Monroe City, etc.... The finals more than likely will include either Blair Oaks or Lutheran North. So Lamar must continue to improve in order to repeat. The second half of the Seneca game, the offensive line seemed to come together and start playing better. Then in the East Newton game, they came out and took care of business. Even though the competition was weak, the Tigers came out and played a very crisp game in all phases and put the game away early. The JV and freshmen took over at the start of the 2nd quarter and also played very well. So, the Tigers will be in the running for another title, they might not win but, every one in Class 2 knows that the road to Columbia runs through Lamar.

 

[7-time]

To be the man you gotta beat the man. The cassville game will tell us alot. By this point in the season there is no young and inexperienced players only guys with x years starting experience. I agree with papat23 quarters wont be a cakewalk and whoever is waiting in the semis earned their shot

 

[Keyboard_QB]

Lamar is really good and still lots of room to improve. What's different this year, is at this point they are really healthy, and very very deep. No one starts both ways, but a few of the D backs or linebackers take a few reps on offense as needed. No excuses, but last years team was banged up all year, with several kids being forced to play both ways. A former player (with 2 rings) told me he felt sorry for last year's crew. Thing is, they still got it done.

People talk about Lutheran North, Blair Oaks, Lathrop, Ava, Etc Etc Etc. A couple games were closer than Lamar would have liked last year, but those teams were up, and Lamar was down. This is a much different Lamar team, very close to the 13 and 16 teams in my opinion, and can be very dominant. They are far far from their peak. There are some key issues, focus being the main one, but we've talked about that before. I get tired of folks talking about their in-experience. Bang against the starters in practice daily and in drills, and dominate other teams in freshman and JV games for a couple years and tell me how in-experienced you are? It's not apples to apples.

I don't think anyone touches them this year. Cassville could be a good game, so could the quarter final, and the final, but the road to class 2 trophy still runs through Lamar, and the odds are greater than not, that is where it stays.

 

[NorthWestBleachers]

My inside source most worried about leadership among the starters early on. That 'bringing along' Coach Bailey likes between his starters and everyone else. I'm guessing it's a big part of what keeps it all a 'Brotherhood'.
The postgame interview last week indicated that Coach thinks this has now started to gell between the young men.

Football is still an 'any given Sunday' kind of game. And the talent is evident in Class 2 for this season.
I think it's a -wait and see- and, also a -can't wait to see-!
Which is a great place to be.
Fun to watch each class gain their identity and find their place. Nothing but opportunity.

(For what it's worth??? My source had this concern with last year's class and their leadership ended up being pretty outstanding).

 

[Cards1968]

People keep overlooking the strong defenses of Clark County and Palmyra. Whomever comes out of that district will be battle tested and a very tough out.

 

[Keyboard_QB]

People keep overlooking the strong defenses of Clark County and Palmyra. Whomever comes out of that district will be battle tested and a very tough out.

Not even close to the same league as dominant and physical big 8 defenses Lamar sees every week. Also don't forget: the overwhelming majority of points scored against Lamar's defense this year (and the past several years) resulted from late game scores against Lamar's second team D by the opponents starters. They are fairly strong themselves.

 

[anon_o1osz027druk9]

Not even close to the same league as dominant and physical big 8 defenses Lamar sees every week. Also don't forget: the overwhelming majority of points scored against Lamar's defense this year (and the past several years) resulted from late game scores against Lamar's second team D by the opponents starters. They are fairly strong themselves.

We could easily be eating crow on counting out Team from Cards favorite district. I just don’t believe it’s the same animal. There’s been a difference from Lamar’s part of the state in being battle tested and anyone else they have played outside a few exceptions.

 

[indians03]

Not even close to the same league as dominant and physical big 8 defenses Lamar sees every week. Also don't forget: the overwhelming majority of points scored against Lamar's defense this year (and the past several years) resulted from late game scores against Lamar's second team D by the opponents starters. They are fairly strong themselves.

Seneca put up 3 scores in the 1st half which was against their starters and the 2nd string didn’t come in until the 4th quarter.

 

[docfever_2]

Based on what i've seen.......
The Tigers have suffered from a lack of concentration at times early on.
But I still see a "Team" full of Hard Working Farm Kids who will Beat Your A$$ if you are a bunch of Chest Thumping, High Fiving, Dance Queens out on the Football Field every time you do something right.

Anyone can get beat on a given Friday Night. But I still say Lamar IS NOT "Rebuilding". Lamar is simply Reloading, and its gonna take a Damn Good Team to beat 'em come Play Off time.

And No, I'm Not From Lamar. Those on here who will Remember "Docfever" can attest to that.

 

[outsideveer89]

Seneca put up 3 scores in the 1st half which was against their starters and the 2nd string didn’t come in until the 4th quarter.

What Class 2 school has played Lamar close,,even for a while??

 

[PapaT23]

As far as I can remember, only 4 games have been within one score. Ava, Mt. View Liberty, Lutheran North, and Trinity.

 

[Cards1968]

Not even close to the same league as dominant and physical big 8 defenses Lamar sees every week.

You know this how? I'd say the two leagues are very comparable save Lamar of course.

 

[Peter Quill]

Could one of the Lamartians post the Cassville and Lamar scores of same opponents in the Big 8?

 

[Team Tiger]

Could one of the Lamartians post the Cassville and Lamar scores of same opponents in the Big 8?

They are fairly comparable. Each have had off nights that resulted in some scores that were probably closer than the matchups actually were. That could be one of the best games in SWMO this season. However I have a feeling one team will get a jump early and run away with it. Just not sure which team it will be.

 

[anon_o1osz027druk9]

They are fairly comparable. Each have had off nights that resulted in some scores that were probably closer than the matchups actually were. That could be one of the best games in SWMO this season. However I have a feeling one team will get a jump early and run away with it. Just not sure which team it will be.

I saw Lamar beat McDonald County by more than Cassville did. But pretty much. I think this Lamar Vs Cassville matchup is a matchup of two teams that will go deep into the playoffs at least.

 

[PapaT23]

I don't imagine either team's coach goes into the game thinking, "I've got to beat this team worse than what that other team did." Every game is different. Just because Team A beat a team 70-7 and Team B only beat them 40-14 does not mean that Team A is going to beat Team B when they play. Cassville and Lamar are both capable of winning a state championship in their respective class, regardless of who wins head to head. Good luck to both teams and hopefully both teams come away better for it and both are injury free.

 

[Peter Quill]

I don't imagine either team's coach goes into the game thinking, "I've got to beat this team worse than what that other team did." Every game is different. Just because Team A beat a team 70-7 and Team B only beat them 40-14 does not mean that Team A is going to beat Team B when they play. Cassville and Lamar are both capable of winning a state championship in their respective class, regardless of who wins head to head. Good luck to both teams and hopefully both teams come away better for it and both are injury free.

Nor do I. It’s just away for a neutral observer to gage the game for all the marbles.

 

[NorthWestBleachers]

It'll be nice for the Tigers to face such a worthy opponent closer to home in the regular season. They had to wait until deep in the playoffs to get a matchup like this one last year. The Seneca game should have been better... on paper.

 

[Saints-1-fan]

Date Winner Score Opponent Score
Aug 24 Cassville 42 Aurora* 12 F
Aug 31 Cassville 34 Springfield Catholic* 7 F
Sep 7 Cassville 49 Monett* 12 F
Sep 14 Cassville 62 Seneca* 27 F
Sep 21 Cassville 47 East Newton* 0 F
Sep 28 Cassville 37 McDonald County* 6 F
Oct 5 Cassville 50 Nevada* 8 F

Date Winner Score Opponent Score
Aug 24 Lamar 65 Rogersville* 20 F
Aug 31 Lamar 51 Hollister* 6 F
Sep 7 Lamar 43 Aurora* 7 F
Sep 14 Lamar 43 Monett* 7 F
Sep 21 Lamar 49 Seneca* 27 F
Sep 28 Lamar 65 East Newton* 0
Oct 5 Lamar 45 McDonald County* 13 F

Could one of the Lamartians post the Cassville and Lamar scores of same opponents in the Big 8?

 

[Peter Quill]

Thanks for posting this. I could have looked on Maxpreps but with my girlfriend dead we are a superhero short. I have been slammed ever since saving the earth. Working on a 37 hour a day Centaurian time.

 

[StefanDjordjevich]

Date Winner Score Opponent Score
Aug 24 Cassville 42 Aurora* 12 F
Aug 31 Cassville 34 Springfield Catholic* 7 F
Sep 7 Cassville 49 Monett* 12 F
Sep 14 Cassville 62 Seneca* 27 F
Sep 21 Cassville 47 East Newton* 0 F
Sep 28 Cassville 37 McDonald County* 6 F
Oct 5 Cassville 50 Nevada* 8 F

Date Winner Score Opponent Score
Aug 24 Lamar 65 Rogersville* 20 F
Aug 31 Lamar 51 Hollister* 6 F
Sep 7 Lamar 43 Aurora* 7 F
Sep 14 Lamar 43 Monett* 7 F
Sep 21 Lamar 49 Seneca* 27 F
Sep 28 Lamar 65 East Newton* 0
Oct 5 Lamar 45 McDonald County* 13 F

i think the East Newton scores are pretty telling

 

[LHSTiger81]

Thanks for posting this. I could have looked on Maxpreps but with my girlfriend dead we are a superhero short. I have been slammed ever since saving the earth. Working on a 37 hour a day Centaurian time.

Aren't you the son of a "God"? I would think you could bend the time to suit your needs.