When Joplin starts COC play

[Mister_Wizard]

Although it’s a couple of years away, schedules start getting set and other planning occurs eventually. As a high school football fan in southwest Missouri, I’d love to see this happen when Joplin joins the Large Central Ozarks Conference in 2018. I think they used to do something similar in Springfield when one larger field with artificial turf was there and still unique – I’m wondering if there were any drawbacks from various fans’ perspectives.

My proposal – in odd numbered weeks, have one of the big area games played at MSSU in Joplin (seats 7,000) on Thursday nights. Area fans could still watch their own favorite team on Fridays, but would get a special treat on Thursdays if they chose. Perhaps the two schools could agree to split the gate proceeds, which should be greater with more, better seating and the appeal to the neutral fans to attend as well. Maybe MSSU runs the concession stands and keeps that portion.

With five area teams, and adding in one more fun wrinkle so that fans can also watch another big “area” game on Fridays if their favorite team had the Thursday game, I propose something like this for 2018 but of course it's a concept, and not meant to be the exact schedule:

Week 1 – Carthage vs. Neosho (Thursday) – a Friday game could be Carl Junction at Joplin with Webb City playing in the Springfield/Branson area

Week 3 – Webb City vs. Carl Junction (Thursday) – a Friday game could be Joplin at Carthage with Neosho playing in the Springfield/Branson area

Week 5 – Neosho vs. Joplin (Thursday) – a Friday game could be Carthage at Webb City with Carl Junction playing in the Springfield/Branson area

Week 7 – Carl Junction vs. Carthage (Thursday) – a Friday game could be Webb City at Neosho with Joplin playing in the Springfield/Branson area

Week 9 – Joplin vs. Webb City (Thursday) – a Friday game could be Neosho at Carl Junction with Carthage playing in the Springfield/Branson area

Week 10 – districts begin

 

[tigershs]

Neat Idea............But it will never happen.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

That would give teams a day less to prepare for these games, they would never agree to it. Nice concept though.

 

[cardsbeatwriter]

I don't think attendance would not increase 1% if you placed it at MSSU. Whoever was traveling originally will bring the same because we all know travel fans always travel. The team originally scheduled to play at home prolly losses attendance because we all know home fans are much different than travel fans no matter how close the game may be. The Joplin area has never supported local hs football plus you are competing with non-power 5 conference college football and the freaking NFL on tv.
If it seems I destroyed your idea it was not the intention. A feature game would be cool, just not feasible.

 

[Rock Hard Corn Frog]

Neat Idea............But it will never happen.

Agree. I think it is a great idea but probably not happen.

 

[Mister_Wizard]

Truly, I agree with all the comments so far. I do find it interesting how often the concern with one less day to prepare is voiced. Your Thursday opponent is in the same boat. But on the flip side, while that part is a wash, here's what you gain: an extra day to heal and prepare for next week's opponent who plays on back to back Friday's.

 

[O line wins games]

Truly, I agree with all the comments so far. I do find it interesting how often the concern with one less day to prepare is voiced. Your Thursday opponent is in the same boat. But on the flip side, while that part is a wash, here's what you gain: an extra day to heal and prepare for next week's opponent who plays on back to back Friday's.

The changing of routines is what I wouldn't like. It's amazing how a little tweak in a routine can completely though a group of high schoolers off lol

 

[MoSoEagle]

Fred G. Hughes Stadium at the Robert W. Plaster Complex on the campus of Missouri Southern State University is a horrible place to watch football game at.

 

[sw5890]

I think it's a fun idea but would be more likely to happen if kept on a friday night - or maybe Saturday if MSSU was away? I don't see any teams wanting to give up home field advantage AND play on Thursday. Really I think attendance would drop just because of the day of the week and neither team having home crowd. I disagree that MSSU is "horrible". It's not noteworthy, but it's not bad either. Truth be told I am actually looking forward to traveling over to Junge. I think it's a pretty neat stadium they've got.

I could see Joplin and WC playing there maybe if Joplin was hosting and decided they wanted to do that? Big games between CJ/WC/Carthage would be good opportunities for such a scenario BUT I can't see any of them wanting to give up home field, especially CJ and Carthage with their new facilities coming online that they will be excited to use.

I'm really glad CJ joined the COC and likewise I am very much looking forward to Joplin coming into the fold as well. Nice to have several teams playing good football all so close to one another.

 

[MoSoEagle]

I am excited that Joplin is joining the C.O.C. Large, just sucks it didn't happen when my son was still in high school playing for Joplin!