New for '22

[USArmyMike]

Clinton and Pleasant Hope return to Varsity, Linn will start up a JV program and North Point begins varsity. Sweet Springs is the only school that I can find that is going 8 man.

On the 8 man front I hear there may be changes in the future. More than likely increasing the min population. I have heard both 175 and 200 and also a different (larger) one for schools with soccer.

Contact days in the summer are being reviewed as well. My understanding is Mshsaa feels this is nearly impossible to enforce and will either increase them or go unrestricted and either lengthen the dead periods or add one more.

 

[kaching]

Where and what size is North Point?

 

[SB_5150]

Where and what size is North Point?

Wentzville. I assume class 4 maybe 5, from my understanding its a split with Holt and Holt went from class 6 to Class 5

 

[Mofan79]

Clinton and Pleasant Hope return to Varsity, Linn will start up a JV program and North Point begins varsity. Sweet Springs is the only school that I can find that is going 8 man.

On the 8 man front I hear there may be changes in the future. More than likely increasing the min population. I have heard both 175 and 200 and also a different (larger) one for schools with soccer.

Contact days in the summer are being reviewed as well. My understanding is Mshsaa feels this is nearly impossible to enforce and will either increase them or go unrestricted and either lengthen the dead periods or add one more.

I think lengthening the dead period would be great for kids I think the two weeks we give is just not enough especially for multi sport athletes.... I also think this is a big part of why we see so much specialization from kids

 

[ou812]

I think lengthening the dead period would be great for kids I think the two weeks we give is just not enough especially for multi sport athletes.... I also think this is a big part of why we see so much specialization from kids

I agree that more time off would be beneficial, however, the minute MSHSAA adds another dead week, AAU and other non school affiliated teams will pounce on it and schedule events during that time.

 

[stocktiger82]

I agree that more time off would be beneficial, however, the minute MSHSAA adds another dead week, AAU and other non school affiliated teams will pounce on it and schedule events during that time.

How is the dsob chair today?

 

[PCole]

I agree that more time off would be beneficial, however, the minute MSHSAA adds another dead week, AAU and other non school affiliated teams will pounce on it and schedule events during that time.

That's when the parents need to put their feet down. How you doing Coach?

 

[Baldguy]

Will say I started glancing at schedules for next year, and Lockwood has an interesting new 8-man opponent in October. It seems they have scheduled College Heights Christian. Any Joplin folks know about the addition of a program in town? It'd be nice if McAuley would bring their's back as well.

 

[runbillyrun]

Will say I started glancing at schedules for next year, and Lockwood has an interesting new 8-man opponent in October. It seems they have scheduled College Heights Christian. Any Joplin folks know about the addition of a program in town? It'd be nice if McAuley would bring their's back as well.

McAuley had a nice team and good coaching just a couple of years ago. Our school defeated them but they had a good team and good coaching. We ran a smoke stunt and the freaking WR cut his route off and the Q hit him for 7.
I was genuinely excited.

 

[Mo8ManFootball]

Clinton and Pleasant Hope return to Varsity, Linn will start up a JV program and North Point begins varsity. Sweet Springs is the only school that I can find that is going 8 man.

On the 8 man front I hear there may be changes in the future. More than likely increasing the min population. I have heard both 175 and 200 and also a different (larger) one for schools with soccer.

Contact days in the summer are being reviewed as well. My understanding is Mshsaa feels this is nearly impossible to enforce and will either increase them or go unrestricted and either lengthen the dead periods or add one more.

If the limit went up to 200, all but five Class 1 schools would be eligible for 8-man (St. Pius X Festus, Charleston, Caruthersville, Monroe City and Saroxie).
At 175, 18 Class 1 schools would be ineligible: the first five plus Father Tolton, Highland, Malden, South Callaway, Diamond, South Harrison, Mark Twain, Scott City, Sherwood, University Academy, Crest Ridge, Pierce City and Maysville. There were 63 schools in Class 1 last year.

 

[USArmyMike]

If the limit went up to 200, all but five Class 1 schools would be eligible for 8-man (St. Pius X Festus, Charleston, Caruthersville, Monroe City and Saroxie).
At 175, 18 Class 1 schools would be ineligible: the first five plus Father Tolton, Highland, Malden, South Callaway, Diamond, South Harrison, Mark Twain, Scott City, Sherwood, University Academy, Crest Ridge, Pierce City and Maysville. There were 63 schools in Class 1 last year.

Any word on potential new programs like College Heights Christian?

What are your thoughts on the potential change? I’ve heard some schools in the northeast would make the move if approved

 

[HBL Pirates fan_1990]

If the limit went up to 200, all but five Class 1 schools would be eligible for 8-man

6 teams i see if the limit went up to 200

Diamond
Father Tolton
Louisiana
Pleasant Hope
Sherwood
South Shelby

 

[Mo8ManFootball]

Any word on potential new programs like College Heights Christian?

What are your thoughts on the potential change? I’ve heard some schools in the northeast would make the move if approved

No idea on College Heights Christian. I think it’s a double edged sword. On one hand teams like Bishop LeBlond, St. Paul Lutheran and NW Hughesville with Sacred Heart all have been up against the 150 limit the last couple of years but are struggling with participation because they also have soccer. But I also don’t want teams large enough to comfortably field 11 man teams to drop to 8-man just to win. Though I think the pitch to go from 11-man to 8-man is not an option for those type schools because most parents and admin would prefer to stay 11-man if possible. A lot to consider for sure.

 

[kaching]

at the state convention I heard pleasant hope was not fielding a varsity team in 2022. I saw a press release that mack's creek is co-oping with skyline in football next fall. that would probably bump skyline to class 2. also, skyline football job is open

 

[AC100]

 

[BearsCountry]

Press Release from Mack's Creek

Pirates and Tigers Will Play Football Together: Macks Creek/Skyline Football Cooperative Announced

Macks Creek School is excited to announce a brand new opportunity for our students! After careful...

www.mcreek.k12.mo.us

 

[sw5890]

Any Joplin folks know about the addition of a program in town? It'd be nice if McAuley would bring their's back as well.

I have a few friends with kids at CHC and yes they are adding football. Allegedly the plan is to play at the field on the JHS campus, although MSSU's stadium is literally right across the street!

College Heights to add football team next fall

JOPLIN, Mo. – College Heights Christian School will be playing football next fall. The school decided earlier this week to add football to its fall sports offerings. College Heights athletic …

www.fourstateshomepage.com

This is an interesting development to me. CHC has never been known for sports but they did hire former WC basketball coach and now this. The church that is associated with that school has lost a staggering amount of members over the last several years, not sure if that has affected the school enrollment as well. This may be one strategy to try and boost enrollment if it's also declining.

The article mentions some families have left CHC due to lack of football and I know that to be true. I know several families that preferred the stronger academics and religious aspects of CHC but ended up defecting to Webb City because of football and in a few cases other sports. Will this change that I don't know, hard to compete with the draw of WC sports.

CHC could probably do well if they pick off some kids from Joplin, WC and Carthage. It's a well regarded school and a lot more families would probably go there if they could afford it or get a scholarship. However I would be very surprised to see the school offer athletic scholarships.

 

[mysonis1]

I think lengthening the dead period would be great for kids I think the two weeks we give is just not enough especially for multi sport athletes.... I also think this is a big part of why we see so much specialization from kids

A whole different topic, but I think the youth sports dads of America are a large reason kids are specializing… these coaches are doing things year round so their team/program can win and kids are, in a sense, forced to choose because they are better at one sport than another, aka most can’t accept being a role player these days since everything is given to them… so let’s “just play baseball” … i mean a team can go 1-3 in a baseball tournament and still get a 2nd place of pool F with a nice shiny ring and trophy!! then the mom and dads are posting it al over media hahaha

 

[HomeyR]

A whole different topic, but I think the youth sports dads of America are a large reason kids are specializing… these coaches are doing things year round so their team/program can win and kids are, in a sense, forced to choose because they are better at one sport than another, aka most can’t accept being a role player these days since everything is given to them… so let’s “just play baseball” … i mean a team can go 1-3 in a baseball tournament and still get a 2nd place of pool F with a nice shiny ring and trophy!! then the mom and dads are posting it al over media hahaha

Sad but true..!

 

[TheRealJoey]

A whole different topic, but I think the youth sports dads of America are a large reason kids are specializing… these coaches are doing things year round so their team/program can win and kids are, in a sense, forced to choose because they are better at one sport than another, aka most can’t accept being a role player these days since everything is given to them… so let’s “just play baseball” … i mean a team can go 1-3 in a baseball tournament and still get a 2nd place of pool F with a nice shiny ring and trophy!! then the mom and dads are posting it al over media hahaha

And see other post about Why Kids quit football- 7 reasons why kids quit. This is on point with that.

 

[Arcola]

I have a few friends with kids at CHC and yes they are adding football. Allegedly the plan is to play at the field on the JHS campus, although MSSU's stadium is literally right across the street!

College Heights to add football team next fall

JOPLIN, Mo. – College Heights Christian School will be playing football next fall. The school decided earlier this week to add football to its fall sports offerings. College Heights athletic …

www.fourstateshomepage.com

This is an interesting development to me. CHC has never been known for sports but they did hire former WC basketball coach and now this. The church that is associated with that school has lost a staggering amount of members over the last several years, not sure if that has affected the school enrollment as well. This may be one strategy to try and boost enrollment if it's also declining.

The article mentions some families have left CHC due to lack of football and I know that to be true. I know several families that preferred the stronger academics and religious aspects of CHC but ended up defecting to Webb City because of football and in a few cases other sports. Will this change that I don't know, hard to compete with the draw of WC sports.

CHC could probably do well if they pick off some kids from Joplin, WC and Carthage. It's a well regarded school and a lot more families would probably go there if they could afford it or get a scholarship. However I would be very surprised to see the school offer athletic scholarships.

College Heights has been decent in basketball and have had excellent atheletes in CC and Track and Field in the past.
My question is if you are a private and successful in 8 man are you somehow penalized for success?

 

[carthagefan2006]

Serious question: How will CHCS play on the Joplin alternate stadium? Isn't the 8-man field just 80 yards long? Are the goalposts moveable?

 

[kaching]

8-man games are played on 11-man fields all the time. You put down tape/lines and if a team wants to kick you move the ball to the regular three yard line.

 

[panther72]

And 8-man rarely kicks.

 

[USArmyMike]

at the state convention I heard pleasant hope was not fielding a varsity team in 2022. I saw a press release that mack's creek is co-oping with skyline in football next fall. that would probably bump skyline to class 2. also, skyline football job is open

I’ve noticed they have removed their varsity schedule as well. Guess they feel they need another year.

 

[sw5890]

A whole different topic, but I think the youth sports dads of America are a large reason kids are specializing… these coaches are doing things year round so their team/program can win and kids are, in a sense, forced to choose because they are better at one sport than another, aka most can’t accept being a role player these days since everything is given to them… so let’s “just play baseball” … i mean a team can go 1-3 in a baseball tournament and still get a 2nd place of pool F with a nice shiny ring and trophy!! then the mom and dads are posting it al over media hahaha

I'm not sure it's sports dads specifically but just the whole landscape of youth/school sports. I can't speak much for other schools aside from Webb and Carthage but I hear and see a lot of similar things.

Certain traditional backyard sports like baseball, softball, volleyball and basketball are becoming difficult if not impossible to make for kids that don't take private lessons and do club teams in some schools. Volleyball is this way at Carthage. I hear many/most sports have become that way in Webb. I've heard a ton of complaints over the last couple years about how difficult it's become to make teams in Webb. Your options are basically:

• pick one or two and start training in 3rd grade
• shift to less competetive sports like cross country, track, swimming where you can just show up and hopefully find a spot where you can contribute and put in some work
• move to a different or smaller town with a less intense emphasis on sports
• be a natural D2+ level kid

Some families claim to love every second of year round baseball. Others do it only out of necessity to position their kid to hopefully make that varsity team.

 

[Missouri Kid]

I'm not sure it's sports dads specifically but just the whole landscape of youth/school sports. I can't speak much for other schools aside from Webb and Carthage but I hear and see a lot of similar things.

Certain traditional backyard sports like baseball, softball, volleyball and basketball are becoming difficult if not impossible to make for kids that don't take private lessons and do club teams in some schools. Volleyball is this way at Carthage. I hear many/most sports have become that way in Webb. I've heard a ton of complaints over the last couple years about how difficult it's become to make teams in Webb. Your options are basically:

• pick one or two and start training in 3rd grade
• shift to less competetive sports like cross country, track, swimming where you can just show up and hopefully find a spot where you can contribute and put in some work
• move to a different or smaller town with a less intense emphasis on sports
• be a natural D2+ level kid

Some families claim to love every second of year round baseball. Others do it only out of necessity to position their kid to hopefully make that varsity team.

Good analysis. I think those metrics exist almost everywhere now. Too bad, in my opinion, I think we have accelerated kid's growth in sports development at the cost of retarding their maturity and breadth of knowledge in/of life skills and useful knowledge. Not a good or useful trend and a great disservice to youth in general.

 

[Baldguy]

With 8-man creeping further south, could we one day see a return of a western SRVC as an 8-man small school league, or should the southern WEMO schools and the two Dade County 8-man programs merge with the Ozark 7, and make it a football league?

 

[BearsCountry]

Stover is forming focus group to discussing adding football. Kaysinger could be getting back into the football game.

 

[ugaboz]

Looks like Kipp Academy will play a JV schedule in their 2nd season

 

[NikeFootball59]

Stover is forming focus group to discussing adding football. Kaysinger could be getting back into the football game.

Any updates on this?

 

[revno]

With 8-man creeping further south, could we one day see a return of a western SRVC as an 8-man small school league, or should the southern WEMO schools and the two Dade County 8-man programs merge with the Ozark 7, and make it a football league?

SWMO class 1 has taken a beating. When I think Ozark 7 it would be Sarcoxie, Diamond, Pierce City, Miller, Ash Grove, Marionville, plus class 2 Stockton. Last year, these schools all fielded decent numbers team-wise as far as I could tell.

Who knows though, if you told me 25 years ago that Jasper, Lockwood, and Greenfield would not be able to field eleven-man teams, I would've laughed in your face.

 

[BearsCountry]

SWMO class 1 has taken a beating. When I think Ozark 7 it would be Sarcoxie, Diamond, Pierce City, Miller, Ash Grove, Marionville, plus class 2 Stockton. Last year, these schools all fielded decent numbers team-wise as far as I could tell.

Who knows though, if you told me 25 years ago that Jasper, Lockwood, and Greenfield would not be able to field eleven-man teams, I would've laughed in your face.

Pleasant Hope will back in a year or two as well.

 

[tigers#1fan]

SWMO class 1 has taken a beating. When I think Ozark 7 it would be Sarcoxie, Diamond, Pierce City, Miller, Ash Grove, Marionville, plus class 2 Stockton. Last year, these schools all fielded decent numbers team-wise as far as I could tell.

Who knows though, if you told me 25 years ago that Jasper, Lockwood, and Greenfield would not be able to field eleven-man teams, I would've laughed in yo

Look @ Realrays' post about Missouri football, some of our areas conference champs include Golden City, Walnut Grove, Everton (think the even had a college team in 1920s or 30s) Dadeville, heck even Pierce City got a couple. Harumph!!!!

 

[Baldguy]

SWMO class 1 has taken a beating. When I think Ozark 7 it would be Sarcoxie, Diamond, Pierce City, Miller, Ash Grove, Marionville, plus class 2 Stockton. Last year, these schools all fielded decent numbers team-wise as far as I could tell.

Who knows though, if you told me 25 years ago that Jasper, Lockwood, and Greenfield would not be able to field eleven-man teams, I would've laughed in your face.

Not sure what all has caused the Greenfield decline, but perhaps job availability and more people having the desire to live in Springfield, etc. Lockwood, Jasper, and Liberal are in prime farm country, and one successful operator needs a lot more acres now than back in the day. This has caused the rural population around those towns to decline as the 120 to 200 acre farmsteads have vanished and been combined with other neighboring land to form mega-operations. There are a lot less farm boys to play for those teams, than back in the day. 8-man may end up being the true farm boy level of football, while Class One may have to eventually evolve more into line with smaller Class 2 if they want to keep playing 11-man. We'll have to see how this next decade goes. I will say, Jasper probably could have still played 11-man during the last two years if the league hadn't gone 8-man, but who would they have scheduled? However, in moving onward, they are probably going to be glad the field is now set for 8.

 

[revno]

Look @ Realrays' post about Missouri football, some of our areas conference champs include Golden City, Walnut Grove, Everton (think the even had a college team in 1920s or 30s) Dadeville, heck even Pierce City got a couple. Harumph!!!!

I have a lot of respect for the teams from Golden City and Liberal. They hung in there playing with less than 20 players every year. Jasper too, later on. To me it seemed Greenfield and especially Lockwood bailed early.

 

[AC100]

I have a few friends with kids at CHC and yes they are adding football. Allegedly the plan is to play at the field on the JHS campus, although MSSU's stadium is literally right across the street!

College Heights to add football team next fall

JOPLIN, Mo. – College Heights Christian School will be playing football next fall. The school decided earlier this week to add football to its fall sports offerings. College Heights athletic …

www.fourstateshomepage.com

This is an interesting development to me. CHC has never been known for sports but they did hire former WC basketball coach and now this. The church that is associated with that school has lost a staggering amount of members over the last several years, not sure if that has affected the school enrollment as well. This may be one strategy to try and boost enrollment if it's also declining.

The article mentions some families have left CHC due to lack of football and I know that to be true. I know several families that preferred the stronger academics and religious aspects of CHC but ended up defecting to Webb City because of football and in a few cases other sports. Will this change that I don't know, hard to compete with the draw of WC sports.

CHC could probably do well if they pick off some kids from Joplin, WC and Carthage. It's a well regarded school and a lot more families would probably go there if they could afford it or get a scholarship. However I would be very surprised to see the school offer athletic scholarships.

They have also lost kids to CJ for girls basketball even though College Heights actually has a good program.