Way to early COC large end of the season rankings.........

[WCCardinalPride]

1. WC
2. Ozark
3. Carthage
4. Carl Junction
5. Willard
6. Nixa
7. Branson
8. Republic
9. Neosho

I believe WC will run the table this year.
Ozark and Carthage will have 1-3 losses during the regular season.
Carl Junction will have 2-4 losses.
Willard and Nixa will have 3-5 losses.
Branson will have 4-6 losses.
Republic and Neosho will have 5-9 losses.

 

[cardsbeatwriter]

Carthage
Nixa
Ozark

CJ

Republic
Willard
Branson

 

[COCfan1212]

Willard returns a lot of good skill guys on the offensive side of the ball. I think they'll be able to put up some points this year.

Interested to see what Republic looks like under Baldwin's system. Also interested to see what Coach Hays can do at Branson. I really liked what he was able to do over at Parkview.

 

[sw5890]

That's a pretty good assessment. More or less what I am expecting. I would not be shocked to see someone get by WC again, though I wouldn't bet on it.

Apparently Carthage is looking at Ozark, Webb City, and Willard as their biggest threats this year, though not overlooking anyone. They will have a lot of new players but it sounds like they like what they see so far, particularly Arkell Smith (returning) and the incoming junior QB.

But it's all a guess at this point. Last year was full of surprises. I'll be interested to see what the KOAM and O-Zone publications have to say.

 

[LHSTiger81]

The O-Zone is a freaking joke.

 

[sw5890]

The O-Zone is a freaking joke.

I think their affinity for Nixa is a little annoying but otherwise enjoy reading their stuff each week during football season. They do a pretty decent job of covering most of SWMO, including Joplin area towns outside of their market. I find it surprising how many people in Springfield don't realize Joplin has it's own media market and is not part of Springfield's coverage area.

 

[cardsbeatwriter]

I think their affinity for Nixa is a little annoying but otherwise enjoy reading their stuff each week during football season. They do a pretty decent job of covering most of SWMO, including Joplin area towns outside of their market. I find it surprising how many people in Springfield don't realize Joplin has it's own media market and is not part of Springfield's coverage area.

Last year was the only year they have been wrong about Nixa.

 

[Mister_Wizard]

Carthage
Nixa
Ozark

CJ

Republic
Willard
Branson

Did Webb leave the conference?

 

[cardsbeatwriter]

Did Webb leave the conference?

Of course not. I dont like to put WC in my predictions because my opinion is skewed. Not just homerism either. We look at everyone else's losses to graduation and since we dont know what is in the pipeline we assume they will be worse at that spot this coming year. People close to their respective team have a different view of the holes needing filled.
Kind of an apples to oranges comparison. I just ranked the rest of the league on my perspective that all

 

[wccards1974]

Of course not. I dont like to put WC in my predictions because my opinion is skewed. Not just homerism either. We look at everyone else's losses to graduation and since we dont know what is in the pipeline we assume they will be worse at that spot this coming year. People close to their respective team have a different view of the holes needing filled.
Kind of an apples to oranges comparison. I just ranked the rest of the league on my perspective that all

Probably pretty close, CJ may not be that good

I think Webb locked and loaded

 

[hsmaniac]

Who will be the starting QB for Webb?

 

[hitch_and_go]

Webb , Carthage and Ozark SHOULD be very good this year.Cj may have to just boatrace teams. Webb should be loaded on the defensive side. Offensively return a few good rb's a phenom wr that will be a soph and one of the best olineman in the state. Carthage will be very stout up front and have a stud wr. Cj I think will take a big step back defensively losing their coach and most of their back 7, than being said their d line will be very good and have one of the better d lineman ive seen recently in z. Wall. Offensively they didnt lose much so it may be a traditional Buckmaster team that scores in bunches but has a hard time getting stops. Ozark didn't lose a whole lot .

 

[hitch_and_go]

I dont think the coc will have as much parody this year overall but will be much stronger at the top

 

[Flint222]

CJ


Carthage
Nixa
Ozark

Webby

Republic
Willard
Branson

 

[LHSTiger81]

CJ


Carthage
Nixa
Ozark

Webby

Republic
Willard
Branson

Momma called... she said you forgot to "Stamp it"

 

[Flint222]

didnt have to call momma about THIS one!

 

[sw5890]

I dont think the coc will have as much parity this year overall but will be much stronger at the top

That may be the case. I think the COC will be better at the top and perhaps better overall than last year when there were very few games that weren't up for grabs. Carthage won the COC race, but wasn't turbo clocking everyone along the way, like they had some teams the previous year, and like WC does most every year. I think they beat CJ by only one score, WC and a few others by ~2 scores. Not having one clear favorite made for a very entertaining season in my opinion.

So this year we may have WC alone and more or less untouchable if they are as good as some believe. Another group of 3-5 teams that are very good with post season potential. Then everyone else. In other words, basically a normal COC.

 

[mizzoutiger13]

I'm thinking this is a two horse race between Webb and Carthage. CJ will likely be a player, maybe Ozark but I seem to remember them graduating a lot of starting seniors. Could be wrong. I think Willard will be dangerous as well.

 

[cardsbeatwriter]

I'm thinking this is a two horse race between Webb and Carthage. CJ will likely be a player, maybe Ozark but I seem to remember them graduating a lot of starting seniors. Could be wrong. I think Willard will be dangerous as well.

What do people see in Willard?? They have a talented Qb and WR but until they embrace some discipline at the training table they will not be a contender.

 

[sw5890]

From the "webbies" perspective it's difficult to imagine Willard as a threat. I can't remember them ever being within 5 TDs of Webb City. They just seem to roll over when that game comes each year. But they have played close against just about everyone else. Look at last year Willard vs the top of the COC:

11pt L to Carthage
4pt L to CJ
4pt L to Ozark
6pt L to Nixa
4pt L to what I thought was a good Neosho team
48pt L to Webb City in a year that WC lost 3 COC games.

That had to have been the most frustrating season imaginable for Willard fans. You have to entertain the idea that maybe they are on the cusp of something. On the other hand, it's difficult to look at that record and not conclude that there is a systematic flaw in Willard football, to have the talent to be within a score in all those games and fail to get even one of them.

 

[Willard Baseball]

From the "webbies" perspective it's difficult to imagine Willard as a threat. I can't remember them ever being within 5 TDs of Webb City. They just seem to roll over when that game comes each year.

In 2013 Willard almost won at Webb. Willard's star RB sat that game. There was an "interesting" call that went in Webb's favor. At that time the score was 24-21 Webb and Willard was getting the ball in the 4th.

 

[hitch_and_go]

Losing a game by 17 points isn't "almost winning"

 

[WCCardinalPride]

In 2013 Willard almost won at Webb. Willard's star RB sat that game. There was an "interesting" call that went in Webb's favor. At that time the score was 24-21 Webb and Willard was getting the ball in the 4th.

Stick to baseball............

 

[WCCardinalPride]

Stick to baseball............

When was the last time they beat WC in baseball.......Might need to ask Momma

 

[Willard Baseball]

Losing a game by 17 points isn't "almost winning"

You are correct. It also is "within 5 TD".

When was the last time they beat WC in baseball.......Might need to ask Momma

2014 Districts. And 2013 Districts. We also won the COC this year.

 

[sw5890]

So here is WC v Willard since joining the COC:

2008 42-14 L
2009 56-7 L
2010 66-0 L
2011 41-0 L
2012 45-0 L
2013 38-21 L
2014 46-15 L
2015 42-0 L
2016 55-7 L

A WC guy was questioning why people keep mentioning Willard as a contender for next year. Several teams held their own against WC in the last year or two, but Willard was not one of them. The lone competetive game back in 2013 appears to be an anomoly in an otherwise clear trend, and it's too distant to have any bearing on next year. So I totally get why a WC fan would write off Willard.

On the other hand - most other teams have had a much different experience with Willard over the past few years. Since 2013, Willard has been a tough game on many schedules. As I pointed out, Willard played very competetively with everyone (except WC) in the COC last year, even though their season didn't look great on paper.

So I also I get why Carthage and other teams are keeping a watchful eye on Willard for the coming season.

 

[shoot90draw]

I personally think Willard is a tough game, especially playing at Willard, is because of their funnel cakes. Coaches and players cant focus like they normally do. While their bodies are on the field, coaching and playing, their minds are at the concession stands enjoying the sugary, fried golden deliciousness of a warm funnel cake. I cant blame them either......

 

[Flint222]

Webbies making friends i see.

 

[mizzoutiger13]

What do people see in Willard?? They have a talented Qb and WR but until they embrace some discipline at the training table they will not be a contender.

I don't see Willard as a contender, but definitely good enough that they can win games and spoil someone else's chance at a conference title.

 

[sw5890]

I don't see Willard as a contender, but definitely good enough that they can win games and spoil someone else's chance at a conference title.

That is exactly how I see them, and probably CJ as well.

 

[sw5890]

http://www.ozarkssportszone.com/2017/08/14/2017-coc-large-football-preview/

I was a little surprised by Ozone's very optimistic prediction of CJ as one of 3 contenders for the COC title.

 

[Mister_Wizard]

http://www.ozarkssportszone.com/2017/08/14/2017-coc-large-football-preview/

I was a little surprised by Ozone's very optimistic prediction of CJ as one of 3 contenders for the COC title.

Based on what's coming back, it's not surprising to me to see a possible top 3 finish for CJ. Assuming they lose to Webb in week one, how they bounce back will be big with 3 of their next 4 on the road. A slow start could just as easily lead to a bottom half finish.

 

[Webbzone]

I personally think Willard is a tough game, especially playing at Willard, is because of their funnel cakes. Coaches and players cant focus like they normally do. While their bodies are on the field, coaching and playing, their minds are at the concession stands enjoying the sugary, fried golden deliciousness of a warm funnel cake. I cant blame them either......

LOL, you are so correct....some of us Webbies have a hard time focusing on the game.

 

[wcfanfourever]

LOL, you are so correct....some of us Webbies have a hard time focusing on the game.

Only thing worse was the fried potatoes with onions and peppers they used to have at McCounty,,that was borderline cheating