I don't have stats, and I wouldn't look at the stats other than the final scores or the obvious playmakers. I pick based on the history of violence, compelling intuitiveness and coolness.
Belton vs PC.... PC has to beat Belton to be in the conversation with Kearney. Belton has plodded along now for several years steadily improving. Belton's facilities are top notch. The town fills a huge stadium with raucous fans and good food and music. They crave success not seen since the Jeff Gourley day's when they narrowly lost to Waynesville in the final. They are close but PC is still tough as nails. I like this match-up. PC 34-Belton 26
Center vs Clinton...If Center takes care of business beating up an improved Clinton squad they set up a good matchup for the winner of O'Hara Sedalia. Center has athlete's and they play hard. Center is impressive. Center bangs its way through a revitlized Clinton program. 34-7.
Odessa vs Ex Springs... Odessa rolls. I picked this game because Odessa is cool. They took down their arch rival bully. Very impressive 48-0 Dogs
Harrisonville vs. Grain Valley Harrisonville is 5-0. I picked this game for I want to see if David Allie and his squad can play them tough, perhaps salvage his season. It sets up the showdown for all the marbles vs. Odessa and Oak Grove. I'd like to see one of those teams crush Cass County smucks for getting to close to cool teams like OG and Odessa. Odessa 28-GV 14
Hogan vs Pem.Hogan kicks Pem Hill hard. 39 Mofo's run through and over them. No need for the concussion protocol in the Hogan program, send in Sal Luciano back in as soon as he gets a drink. They are tough. Hogan should lick theirs chops, they will be working for Pem hipsters the rest of their lives. I love Hogans brand of football. There coach is Tony Saprano. They will hit you. If you need liquor or a pawn shop diamond, the Hogan coach can hook you up. His staff is jacked, they could beat any HS team with 6 men then sell you a used premium used car cheap with no trace of any tedious paperwork. Hogan 49 -PH 17
BSS-Raytown ....BSS South is man again in the big conference. Raytown is crushed by the curse of Ted Chittwood Field and is coming off a close loss to lucky little brother. Can Raytown rebound or will they roll over? Their schedule doesn't get much easier. Fort and Stayley are looking to tune up. Raytown has a good def. But who know's if they'll come to play. Obvious Pick. BSS 45-Raytown 7
Ray South vs GV RS wins this one. They have a one man show that beat a talented Ray defense. GV found out the last 2 weeks they are GV. However, it's a high scoring affair. RS 41 GV 30
Lawson vs East Buck. This is an old rivalry game. Lawson has the edge in traditon, relatively recent state success, but has fell on hard times too. East Buck is rolling. I pick Lawson. Give the ball to the Rayville and Elmira boys and then invite them over to fill the barn with last cut of hay. Lawson 21- East Buck 14
LS vs LSW has to be the rivalry game of the week. LSN is now the man on campus. easy choice though. I'm picking LSW. If the real LSW shows up they win 38-24.
PHS vs Truman. Truman is good. Particulary if you remember where they were. Two years ago they were absolutely non-competitive. Now they have come back! It's hard to win football games in Indep. MO. I love the match-up. Much work is left to do, but they take care of an undermanned PHS squad that is playing second fiddle again to their older brother PH. Truman eeks out the win 28-24.
Smithville vs STJL Smithville needs this to be a "quality win" to have a chance to make a run. Smithville is facing what seems to be the oldest HC in Mo. His eye's have forgot more wins and losses than anyone knows. I have to go with "ole Lion" STJL. Smithville just continues to be whimpy.
STJL 34- Smithville 21.
Libery St. Joe Central. Tough to call. Good matchup. Liberty can run it. St Joe has some big boy's up front on the def line, Seem to have underachieved. Their scarred by wounds after the Kearney beat down in Game 1.Liberty beat down by the Kearney comparison. Both teams deserve the win, you know they've struggled to hold it together. Both have had tough breaks. It's a toss up. Good O vs. Strong Def line? Usually comes down to that. Will St. Joe blow them out for they have been scoring lately? Liberty's "will" is likely at the teetering point. I'm going with Liberty. They should win this. 36-28.
BS-Rock A very interesting game under unusual circumstances. Not the Rock of old but their losses come at the hands of really good programs. Sevy the Don of all football in the KC modern era. The jealous envy from those that fell victim to their great power. BS had to know they'd be down, KD is a wise old owl, who's second in title only to Sev. KD leads a storied program, coming from modest beginnings at his old RS days. KD coninues what was first program to knock off the Rock, take a Run and Shoot to Pro Style, take on the beasts of the east side in St. Lou and became the prerennial power. The Rock continues to play hard teams taking on all comers like Hutch in recent memory, Ark teams and beastly Webb, and a rich history of a national schedule. Both meet with enough rings to fill a warehouse. I like Rock, BS will still battle, they will play their guts out but will go down swinging.Rock 42 BS 28.
