Ozark Mountain Preseason Picks

[ChaoticFanatic]

1. Branson
2 & 3. Bolivar/West Plains
4 & 5. Hillcrest/Carl Junction
6. Logan-Rogersville
7. Marshfield

Hard to tell on some of these, other than the cellar dwellers. Will change probably when I know more or have more to go off of. Only have limited information on some of these teams.

 

[AC100]

CJ has some young talent but might be a year away. Hard to tell

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

I really have enjoyed typing out posts on here only to get an error message and it erasing the entire thing. Along with getting logged out twice an hour.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Branson- were young-ish last year and won 5 games with a tough schedule.

Bolivar- lost some talent but LaSalle will have them ready. Always seem to be big and physical athletic teams out of Bolivar.

WP- lost two really good WR but have the QB back, most of OL and both RBs that split time last year as Sophs and I believe have 8-9 back on D

Hillcrest- probably have the QB with the most physical tools in Springfield, also bringing back 8 on both sides of ball.

CJ- I knew they were athletic and young but not much else

 

[J. Kane]

 

[Eagles_Ball]

1. Branson
2 & 3. Bolivar/West Plains
4 & 5. Hillcrest/Carl Junction
6. Logan-Rogersville
7. Marshfield

Hard to tell on some of these, other than the cellar dwellers. Will change probably when I know more or have more to go off of. Only have limited information on some of these teams.

Those are all cellar dwellers. They just formed their own conference.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Those are all cellar dwellers. They just formed their own conference.

WP has consistently been in the top 2-3 of the OC for most of the last decade now and even won 2-3 conference titles and had a share of at least 4. Calling them a cellar dweller is a stretch.

But the rest I could agree with for the most part, CJ made some noise when they first got into the COC after all the nay sayers

 

[J. Kane]

WP has consistently been in the top 2-3 of the OC for most of the last decade now and even won 2-3 conference titles and had a share of at least 4. Calling them a cellar dweller is a stretch.

But the rest I could agree with for the most part, CJ made some noise when they first got into the COC after all the nay sayers

 

[MoSooner69]

Bolivar was hardly in the cellar when they were in the Small COC and were the Big Fish....

 

[MoSooner69]

1. Branson
2. WP
3. Bolivar
4. CJ
5. LogRog
6. Hillcrest
7. Marshfield

 

[bullitpdq68]

I just wonder if this conference has staying power. This conference is like a forced marriage, most are in this conference because they either upset somebody or don't fit geographically or just could not compete.
My wife is a CJ graduate and we went to her high school reunion a few weeks ago, and there is not one parent happy or excited about being in this conference. The travel and unfamiliar opponents and no natural rival is horrible they said, along with driving right by about a dozen schools they use to play in either the Big 8 or COC just to play some team 2-3 hours away. Many were frustrated and wished they would just join back up with the Big 8.

 

[MoSooner69]

I can see where you are coming from. I think the league has a chance to be around for a while, but I can see where some of the names may change a bit.

 

[AC100]

I just wonder if this conference has staying power. This conference is like a forced marriage, most are in this conference because they either upset somebody or don't fit geographically or just could not compete.
My wife is a CJ graduate and we went to her high school reunion a few weeks ago, and there is not one parent happy or excited about being in this conference. The travel and unfamiliar opponents and no natural rival is horrible they said, along with driving right by about a dozen schools they use to play in either the Big 8 or COC just to play some team 2-3 hours away. Many were frustrated and wished they would just join back up with the Big 8.

Hopefully those parents realize that in every sport other than football CJ is playing all of the local COC schools in non conference games. Heck as of right now the girls basketball team isn't leaving Jasper County until late January

 

[bullitpdq68]

Hopefully those parents realize that in every sport other than football CJ is playing all of the local COC schools in non conference games. Heck as of right now the girls basketball team isn't leaving Jasper County until late January

Were you at that reunion LOL, you actually sound like one of the parents, they said the exact thing except they added so why did we leave because of football? Many said if the Girls programs were not competitive and the football team was winning they would still be in the COC.

 

[AC100]

Were you at that reunion LOL, you actually sound like one of the parents, they said the exact thing except they added so why did we leave because of football? Many said if the Girls programs were not competitive and the football team was winning they would still be in the COC.

Of course the change was a football move. However football is the sport that conference affiliation effects the most. If the volleyball team wants a harder schedule they have about 20 games a year where they can schedule whoever they want. In the COC the football team was going to be the smallest school in every game they played forever. You can't be successful when the next largest school still has 300 more kids than you.

 

[bullitpdq68]

Of course the change was a football move. However football is the sport that conference affiliation effects the most. If the volleyball team wants a harder schedule they have about 20 games a year where they can schedule whoever they want. In the COC the football team was going to be the smallest school in every game they played forever. You can't be successful when the next largest school still has 300 more kids than you.

Tell that to Lamar... just joking, but seriously they make it work now, and at one time they were wanting to leave the Big 8 because they were not competitive and felt the conference had out grown them.

 

[AC100]

Tell that to Lamar... just joking, but seriously they make it work now, and at one time they were wanting to leave the Big 8 because they were not competitive and felt the conference had out grown them.

I think CJ will be better over the next 5 years so that part of the move sucks. However the Springfield schools are exploding in enrollment every year and this eventually just wasn't going to work.

 

[AC100]

I would say regarding the Big 8 that it is a really good football league but if you are talking about girls sports the Big 8 is pretty bad. A league with WP, Rogersville and Marshfield is much more competitive for volleyball or basketball than the Big 8.

 

[bullitpdq68]

I think CJ will be better over the next 5 years so that part of the move sucks. However the Springfield schools are exploding in enrollment every year and this eventually just wasn't going to work.

I thought the reason CJ left was they were exploding in enrollment they told everybody they should have been over 1200 kids in high school by now the way they were growing.

 

[AC100]

I thought the reason CJ left was they were exploding in enrollment they told everybody they should have been over 1200 kids in high school by now the way they were growing.

It didn't happen for whatever reason which is good for the football program because being in class 5 would suck.

 

[bullitpdq68]

I would say regarding the Big 8 that it is a really good football league but if you are talking about girls sports the Big 8 is pretty bad. A league with WP, Rogersville and Marshfield is much more competitive for volleyball or basketball than the Big 8.

I agree, Big is mainly a Football and wrestling then you have some really good Baseball and softball schools. MV at times will be pretty good in Basketball either gender and if you want to count spring softball MV could be considered good but really there is a lack of any other good schools during that time....LOL.

 

[bullitpdq68]

It didn't happen for whatever reason which is good for the football program because being in class 5 would suck.

did they ever make it to 1,000?

 

[AC100]

did they ever make it to 1,000?

It has generally been between 900 and 1000. I think it hit a 1000 once or twice.

 

[sw5890]

1. Branson
2 & 3. Bolivar/West Plains
4 & 5. Hillcrest/Carl Junction
6. Logan-Rogersville
7. Marshfield

Hard to tell on some of these, other than the cellar dwellers. Will change probably when I know more or have more to go off of. Only have limited information on some of these teams.

I just wonder if this conference has staying power. This conference is like a forced marriage, most are in this conference because they either upset somebody or don't fit geographically or just could not compete.
My wife is a CJ graduate and we went to her high school reunion a few weeks ago, and there is not one parent happy or excited about being in this conference. The travel and unfamiliar opponents and no natural rival is horrible they said, along with driving right by about a dozen schools they use to play in either the Big 8 or COC just to play some team 2-3 hours away. Many were frustrated and wished they would just join back up with the Big 8.

Yeah I talked to a cj guy last weekend who just got his kids schedule and they HATE it. But I have talked to a few who would rather travel than play the COC.

I imagine there will be more shifting around. I know a lot of cj folks aren’t happen and neither are people in Webb and Carthage.

 

[AC100]

The schedules that are really awful are the junior high ones. The next step has to be to separate high school conferences from junior high.

 

[AC100]

I was looking at the Jasper County COC schedules and they go to Springfield more than they need to. There is no reason the below schools couldn't be a junior high league:

Webb
Joplin
Carthage
CJ
Neosho
Mac
Nevada
Pittsburg

 

[TadQueasy]

I think West Plains is going to be pretty solid this year. They bring a lot back. Their QB has been reportedly looking really good in the summer and offseason.

 

[Mitsurugi san]

Last year, a CJ team with only one regular season win in the COC beat Harrisonville in Harrisonville in districts…

Meanwhile a Branson team with a losing record in their regular season campaign in the COC took an undefeated Lebanon squad to the brink in districts…

Sorry to be “that guy”, but I think years facing a COC schedule will have Branson and CJ atop this conference for at least the first couple years… after which the softness of opposition compared to the COC will let Bolivar and WP pull alongside and those four will battle it out regularly (with one of the bottom three making a run every now and then…)

As for this year…

1. Branson
2. CJ
3. WP
4. Bolivar
5. Hillcrest
6. LR
7. Marshfield

Obviously I hope LR can get over the Hillcrest hump this year, but I have no reason to expect that they will 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

I think CJ will be better over the next 5 years so that part of the move sucks. However the Springfield schools are exploding in enrollment every year and this eventually just wasn't going to work.

I will say this, as of now, Hillcrest is the only SPS in the conference and their enrollment has stayed constant more than Parkview, Central, Glendale and I don’t see that changing.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Last year, a CJ team with only one regular season win in the COC beat Harrisonville in Harrisonville in districts…

Meanwhile a Branson team with a losing record in their regular season campaign in the COC took an undefeated Lebanon squad to the brink in districts…

Sorry to be “that guy”, but I think years facing a COC schedule will have Branson and CJ atop this conference for at least the first couple years… after which the softness of opposition compared to the COC will let Bolivar and WP pull alongside and those four will battle it out regularly (with one of the bottom three making a run every now and then…)

As for this year…

1. Branson
2. CJ
3. WP
4. Bolivar
5. Hillcrest
6. LR
7. Marshfield

Obviously I hope LR can get over the Hillcrest hump this year, but I have no reason to expect that they will 🤷🏻‍♂️

I’m just not sold on CJ yet, not saying they are bad, just don’t know if they will really turn the corner this year. I’m thinking 2025 will be their year but I think they will be middle of the pack on the OMC for this first year at least. But who knows.

 

[AC100]

I will say this, as of now, Hillcrest is the only SPS in the conference and their enrollment has stayed constant more than Parkview, Central, Glendale and I don’t see that changing.

I am talking about the COC Springfield schools. I don't think the city schools grow much.

 

[sw5890]

The schedules that are really awful are the junior high ones. The next step has to be to separate high school conferences from junior high.

Yep they have a jr high and hs kid.

 

[bullitpdq68]

Last year, a CJ team with only one regular season win in the COC beat Harrisonville in Harrisonville in districts…

Meanwhile a Branson team with a losing record in their regular season campaign in the COC took an undefeated Lebanon squad to the brink in districts…

Sorry to be “that guy”, but I think years facing a COC schedule will have Branson and CJ atop this conference for at least the first couple years… after which the softness of opposition compared to the COC will let Bolivar and WP pull alongside and those four will battle it out regularly (with one of the bottom three making a run every now and then…)

As for this year…

1. Branson
2. CJ
3. WP
4. Bolivar
5. Hillcrest
6. LR
7. Marshfield

Obviously I hope LR can get over the Hillcrest hump this year, but I have no reason to expect that they will 🤷🏻‍♂️

Mits, what is was your thoughts on LogRog leaving the Big 8?

 

[BoosterBosko]

Last year, a CJ team with only one regular season win in the COC beat Harrisonville in Harrisonville in districts…

Meanwhile a Branson team with a losing record in their regular season campaign in the COC took an undefeated Lebanon squad to the brink in districts…

Sorry to be “that guy”, but I think years facing a COC schedule will have Branson and CJ atop this conference for at least the first couple years… after which the softness of opposition compared to the COC will let Bolivar and WP pull alongside and those four will battle it out regularly (with one of the bottom three making a run every now and then…)

As for this year…

1. Branson
2. CJ
3. WP
4. Bolivar
5. Hillcrest
6. LR
7. Marshfield

Obviously I hope LR can get over the Hillcrest hump this year, but I have no reason to expect that they will 🤷🏻‍♂️

Is italicizing words going to be YOUR thing?? If so, Ill update my thread!!

 

[Mitsurugi san]

Is italicizing words going to be YOUR thing?? If so, Ill update my thread!!

I had said previously that my thing was Ric Flair’s “Wooo!”…

…but if I’m being honest with myself, it’s probably the italicizing (and the bolding, and the semicolons, and the parentheses 🤦🏻‍♂️)

 

[Craig Hull]

Was looking forward to a preseason media or coaches poll since it is the inaugural season of the conference. Perhaps someone (with too much time on their hands) would be willing to tally votes from the peanut gallery and we could do our own Mosports.com OMG Football Poll.

With all the varying reports I've heard thus far, it would be difficult to pick a favorite.

 

[Mitsurugi san]

Mits, what is was your thoughts on LogRog leaving the Big 8?

Since all conference affiliation decisions appear to be made with only football in mind, I’ll respond in that context…

I honestly don’t know if LR helped precipitate the disbanding of the Big 8 East, or if they were just making the best of it, but I can at least understand wanting to be in a conference that more closely resembles the district you’ve been in for years now (pretty much all the OMC teams save for Branson have been in LR’s district at least a couple times in the last five years)…

That being said, LR will not compete for a conference championship in this new conference anytime soon (they we’re at least in the hunt every year in the Big 8 East, but did it really matter when they’d just lose in the first round of districts every year😬)

The simple fact is LRHS outgrew the COC Small/Big 8 East number-wise (even though they hadn’t yet outgrown it skill-wise 😬)

 

[sw5890]

Last year, a CJ team with only one regular season win in the COC beat Harrisonville in Harrisonville in districts…

Meanwhile a Branson team with a losing record in their regular season campaign in the COC took an undefeated Lebanon squad to the brink in districts…

Sorry to be “that guy”, but I think years facing a COC schedule will have Branson and CJ atop this conference for at least the first couple years… after which the softness of opposition compared to the COC will let Bolivar and WP pull alongside and those four will battle it out regularly (with one of the bottom three making a run every now and then…)

As for this year…

1. Branson
2. CJ
3. WP
4. Bolivar
5. Hillcrest
6. LR
7. Marshfield

Obviously I hope LR can get over the Hillcrest hump this year, but I have no reason to expect that they will 🤷🏻‍♂️

Man I'm kind of with you. CJ and Branson were both better than their records indicated, I could see either of them or WP or Bolivar winning OMC. Will be interesting to watch this new conf unfold as the season progresses. Branson had their best team in a long time, seemed like they were finally getting something going there. Kind of wish they would have stayed in the COC, that really seems like where they belong to me but whatever.

 

[AC100]

Man I'm kind of with you. CJ and Branson were both better than their records indicated, I could see either of them or WP or Bolivar winning OMC. Will be interesting to watch this new conf unfold as the season progresses. Branson had their best team in a long time, seemed like they were finally getting something going there. Kind of wish they would have stayed in the COC, that really seems like where they belong to me but whatever.

I agree on Branson. If you are class 5 and you have to beat COC teams in districts why leave the COC? CJ doesn't have this problem

 

[J. Kane]

I agree on Branson. If you are class 5 and you have to beat COC teams in districts why leave the COC? CJ doesn't have this problem