The countdown has begun and in few short weeks it will be football season. Gone is the Small COC, and here is the New Big 8. This is a conference that has a ton of tradition.
A preview of this years teams will come in the not so distant future but I thought I would give you a few tidbits on some of the new places we will be seeing. Get used to the words tradition and pride, they are more than just catch phrases in the Big 8.
Nothing new for Reeds Spring in seeing Hollister, Rogersville, Catholic, or Marshfield, they have been playing for years. The other two teams in the East may not be quite as familiar but not far from it.
Aurora- The Houn Dawgs and Wolves might as well have been in the same league. Whether it was district playoffs or regular season the two seemingly always got together. Before last year they had played 10 of the previous 11 seasons. They still play at the field by the old high school. Its a grass field. Coach Moler was at Aurora before coming to Reeds Spring.
Mt Vernon- Wolves have played these guys 4 times in the previous two seasons. The ‘Neers defeated Reeds Spring for the district championship a year ago on their way to the State Championship Game. Very nice, still new stadium with artificial turf. Nice field house for home team visitors have a little walk, they dress and the school
There are some familiar faces in the other division as well as some folks that the Wolves have never seen
Cassville- This is one of the teams that the Wolves are pretty familiar with. The two have played the previous three seasons including twice a year ago. This is a school that has plenty of tradition. David Large built a state power there and those expectations continue today. Older grass field but a nice facility, well taken care of.
Monett- This is a school that Reeds Spring has played sparingly through the years. Its a team that won the State Title two years ago. Wolves beat them for the first time last season. Its a school that expects success and usually achieves it. Knowledgeable and very loyal fan base. A nice artificial turf field. Did a nice job of keeping the nice feel of an older stadium with the new field. Nice place to see a game.
Lamar- This is one of the teams that Reeds Spring has never played but everyone has heard about. One of the best programs in the state at any level. They have won seven straight Class 2 State Titles. Large fan base… Unique Offense… Hard Nose Defense…. Very nice natural surface field.
East Newton- The Patriots have struggled for quite a while, there is no denying that. The have struggled with numbers and playing in a tough league has not done them any favors. They were shut out six times a year ago, scoring more than a touchdown only once. Older facility with a grass field.
Seneca- Another team with tradition. They really had some playoff battles with Branson, back in the day. Usually smash-mouth, hard nose football is a given with the Indians. They have a grass playing surface and the fans are right on top of the field. Can be an intimating place to play.
McDonald County- The biggest School in the bunch and the newest member of the Big Eight (before this expansion) The Mustangs have struggled as of late but seemingly turned a corner last year. After going winless in 2016, a new coach and seemingly new team emerged in 2017 getting all the way back to the .500 mark. The Mustangs play on grass.
Nevada- Probably the school that I know least about. They were a charter member of the Big 8 when it was formed in 1929. They will return to the league this season. One of the few places I have not been. They do have a grass playing surface.
Looking forward to seeing some of these places over the next few years.. Just a reminder.. Teams play everyone in their division every year and also play three teams from the other division. Next year you play the same teams but flip-flop home and away. Then we go to the next rotation.
