High School Football is a sport that can vary greatly from one season to next. A person would have to look no further than Carl Langley Field this week to realize that.
Reeds Spring will play host to Aurora to kickoff the District Playoffs. If you remember these are the same teams that played for the District Championship a year ago. A game that would go Aurora’s way 27-21 The Houn Dawgs would eventually make their way to the state semifinals. But, many of those players have graduated and Aurora ended up in the eight spot at the end of this years regular season.
One player that has returned is quarterback Payton Evans. The Houn Dawg signal caller was a major thorn in the side of the Wolves in that game a year ago, providing 356 yards of total offense, including 283 of that in the air. With a fresh group of receivers things have been a little tougher this year but there is not doubt he has the ability to take a game over. And, with the start of post season play, everyone starts anew. The 2-7 Hown Dawgs get the chance to put the tough regular season behind them.
The Wolves will be anxious to get back on the field after losing the regular season finale to Springfield Catholic 16-14 a week ago. Despite the loss, Reeds Spring claimed a share of the Small Central Ozarks Conference Championship and the number one overall seed in Class 3 District 4. They finished the regular season 7-2, including a 5-1 record in COC play.
The Wolves, by virtue of that top seed, will get home field advantage throughout the district portion of the playoffs. In addition to Reeds Spring and Aurora, the district includes: Monett, Cassville, Mt Vernon, Hollister, East Newton, and Seneca.
With a win the Wolves will take on the winner of Mt Vernon and Hollister next week.