Reeds Spring and Hollister got together last night for the latest rivalry game that has become know as the BACKYARD BATTLE.  And, just like the previous 10 meetings it was Reeds Spring that came out on top.  47-27 was the final tally.

But, this one was not easy.  It was Hollister that struck first in this one.  Layton Morgan and Logan Armitage combined to beat the Wolves defense on a 45 yard scoring pass to cap off the opening drive.

Reeds Spring was quick to answer.  Cody Hughes took a handoff and ran up the middle of the field for a 66 yard score.

Morgan went to the air again just over a minute later.  This time the quarterback found Logan Narvaez from 21 yards out on a score in which the running back reached back and made a nice catch before making his way into the endzone.

JT Bayliff would get the equalizer for Reeds Spring.  He ran through the Tiger defense for a 41 yard score.  The first quarter ended all square at 14.

Reeds Spring would add two scores in the second quarter to go to the locker room up 28-14

Seth Stamps would make sure momentum stayed on the Wolves side, to start the second half.  For the second time this season, the senior, took the second half kickoff up the right sideline and into the endzone.   The kickoff return covered 97 yards.

Bayliff would add his second rushing touchdown on as many caries when he scored from 8 yards out with 1:47 left in the third quarter.

At this point it looked like the rout might be on, with the Wolves up 40-14.  But this group of Tigers did not quit.  Narvaez would add two fourth quarter touchdowns for Hollister.  Reeds Spring got a final tally on a pass from Blake Gronvold to Bayliff.

Unofficially, Hughes had 141 yards to lead Reeds Spring.  Stamps added 58 and Bayliff 49.  In all I had Reeds Spring with 289 yards on the ground.  Hollister countered with Armitage who caught five balls for 150 yards.  In all, Morgan through for just under 200 yards on the night.  Narvaez had 85 yards on the ground for Hollister.

The Wolves will host Marshfield next week, while the Tigers travel to Aurora.

 

 

The Missouri High School Football Rankings have been released for the week.  Reeds Spring falls after their loss to Catholic but remains in the rankings at the #10 spot.  No surprise Catholic jumps ahead of them.  But, Mt Vernon does as well.  Wolves beat the Mountaineers in Mt Vernon in Week 4.

The competitiveness of Class 3 District 4 is also displayed as THREE teams from the district at in the top ten in the state.  Or, another way to look at it, there are THREE teams from the Big 8 East on the list.

CLASS 6

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

1. CBC (12), 5-0, 120, 1
2. Lee’s Summit West, 5-0, 108, 2
3. Eureka, 5-0, 95, 4
4. Rockhurst, 4-1, 73, 6
5. Kirkwood, 4-1, 66, 3
6. DeSmet, 3-2, 59, 5
7. Rock Bridge, 3-2, 53, 8
8. Pattonville, 4-1, 26, NR
9. Marquette, 4-1, 23, 10
10. Lee’s Summit North, 3-2, 21, 7

Dropped out: No. 9 Raymore-Peculiar

Also receiving votes: Blue Springs (3-2), 13; Park Hill (3-2), 3

CLASS 5

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

1. Staley (10), 4-1, 118, 1
2. Fort Zumwalt North (2), 5-0, 103, 2
3. Vianney, 4-1, 102, 3
4. North Kansas City, 5-0, 81, 5
5. Carthage, 4-1, 70, 4
6. Fort Osage, 3-2, 60, 6
7. Jackson, 5-0, 53, 10
8. Battle, 3-2, 30, 7
9. Fox, 5-0, 21, NR
10. Lebanon, 4-1, 19, 8

Dropped out: No. 9 Timberland

Also receiving votes: Timberland (3-2), 2; Raytown (4-1), 1

CLASS 4

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

1. Webb City (12), 5-0, 120, 1
2. Ladue, 5-0, 106, 2
3. Kearney, 4-1, 95, 3
4. West Plains, 5-0, 84, 4
5. MICDS 5-0, 70, 5
6. Platte County, 4-1, 59, 6
7. Smithville, 5-0, 50, 7
8. Camdenton, 4-1, 39, 8
9. St. Francis Borgia, 5-0, 25, 9
10. Rolla, 4-1, 12, NR

Dropped out: No. 10 Carl Junction

CLASS 3

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

1. Odessa (8), 5-0, 114, 1
2. Trinity (4), 3-2, 109, 2
3. Cardinal Ritter, 5-0, 99, 3
4. Maryville, 4-1, 86, 4
5. Cassville, 5-0, 65, 8
6. Southern Boone, 4-1, 38, 9
7. Mt. Vernon, 4-1, 35, 10
8. St. Clair, 4-1, 34, 5
9. Springfield Catholic, 4-1, 31, NR
10. Reeds Spring, 4-1, 19, 7

Dropped out: No. 6 Lutheran South

Also receiving votes: Lutheran South (3-2), 16; Moberly (4-1), 14

CLASS 2

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

1. Lamar (12), 5-0, 120, 1
2. Blair Oaks, 5-0, 107, 2
3. Lathrop, 5-0, 87, 3
4. Lawson, 5-0, 81, 4
5. Lutheran North, 2-3, 70, 5
6. Clark County, 4-1, 57, T6
7. Monroe City, 4-1, 41, T8
8. Palmyra, 5-0, 31, 10
9. Macon, 4-1, 22, T8
10. North Callaway, 5-0, 17, NR

Dropped out: No. T8 Lexington

Also receiving votes: Ava (4-1), 15; Lexington (4-1), 9; Jefferson (5-0), 3

CLASS 1

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

1. Westran (12), 5-0, 120, 1
2. East Buchanan, 5-0, 108, 2
3. Fayette, 4-1, 90, 3
4. Hayti, 5-0, 81, 5
5. Marceline, 4-1, 78, 4
6. Adrian, 5-0, 55, 6
7. Pierce City, 5-0, 47, 7
8. Lincoln, 4-1, 32, 8
9. Valle Catholic, 3-2, 28, 9
10. Hamilton-Penney, 3-2, 12, 10

Also receiving votes: Milan (5-0), 9

After last weeks results and looking at what is ahead… Here are my current projections..

1. Cassville- Wildcats have been rolling… still have Lamar and Reeds Spring to play
2. Reeds Spring..  If Wolves were to beat Cassville, but finish 3rd in points. They would only move to second… you can only jump one spot
3. Mt Vernon…  Mountaineers dont play Lamar or Cassville but they do have Catholic coming up
4. Seneca- Indians had a tough schedule to start with
5. Hollister-   two more wins could get them to 4.  A home playoff game would be huge.  It has never happened
6. Aurora-  4-5-6 will be tight.
7. Nevada- should be able to stay ahead of Clinton
8. Clinton- are having a rough year

Class 5

1. Carthage- Tigers are loaded and if healthy could make a run deep into November
2. Parkview- A down Ozark Conference gives them a great chance to stay here
3. Branson- Basically, they beat Nixa they finish here and get a bye
4. Nixa- Head to head with Branson determines 4-5
5. Republic- got a big win this week but already lost to Branson and Nixa

Class 2

1. Strafford- this week will tell, they have Fair Grove
2. Fair Grove- see above..
3. Ava- that loss to Buffalo still hurts… but will challenge the two ahead of them
4. Houston- Have been talking about their improvement
5. Liberty- could go higher.. they play grove this week and have Houston Week 9.
6. Mountain Grove- they are down. but will be back
7. Willow Springs- Dont see them any higher
8. Forsyth- as I said last week.. It just takes time

 

Here is a look at the current District Standings…

Class 3

1. Cassville       5-0    49
2. Mt Vernon    4-1     45
3. Reeds Spring  4-1   39.9
4. Hollister         2-3      31.8
5. Aurora            2-3    26.3
6. Seneca            1-4    22.7
7. Nevada          1-4       20.2
8. Clinton         0-5     18.75

Class 5

1. Carthage        4-1      45.85
2. Parkview       3-2       32.4
3. Branson        2-3      29.8
4. Nixa              2-3       27.2
5. Republic      1-4       23.75

Class 2

1. Strafford     5-0     47.75
2. Fair Grove   5-0    47
3. Ava                 4-1    45.5
4. Houston       4-1    43.1
5. Liberty         2-3     33.1
6. Mtn Grove   2-3   28.9
7. Willow Sprngs 1-4  22.35
8. Forsyth         0-5         15.42

It was not exactly the Homecoming Night that you would draw up.  The weather did not cooperate.  The storms and treats of more of the same caused the cancellation of the parade, in the afternoon, and the precipitation drug on all night.

The Wolves found themselves locked in a defensive struggle with Springfield Catholic.    Each team threatened once in the first half, but neither Reeds Spring nor the Irish could get on the score board.

The deadlock would end quickly in the second half.  Irish quarterback, Tyson Riley, would keep the ball and run for a 74 yard score on the first play of the third quarter.

Reeds Spring would answer about six minutes later.  Offensive coordinator Brian Moler would go into his bag of tricks.  Running back Cody Hughes would take a pitch from Blake Gronvold, running to his right, he pulled up and found Cole Watson for a 69 yard scoring strike.  Watson had a long td catch called back on a holding call earlier in the game but this one stood.

The defenses dug back in and we remained tied at 7 until midway through the 4th quarter.  Nick Crites would break the deadlock.  The Catholic running back gave the Irish the lead with 6:12 left to play when he scored from 7 yards out.

But, once again, the Wolves had an answer.  They drove down the field and Hughes took the ball up the middle and into the endzone from the ten yard line.  Cramblett added the extrapoint and tied the score with 4:44 left to play.

That set things up for Springfield Catholics final drive.  The Irish converted a couple of fourth down plays and were aided by a controversial horsecollar penalty.

They drove all the way down to the 15 yard line.  In comes Logan Brock.  The Irish kicker was able to split the uprights from 32 yards out with nine seconds left and give Catholic the win.

Hughes carried the ball 14 ties for 114 yards and a touchdown.  He also threw for one.  Riley led the way for Catholic with 170 yards on 21 carries.

Parker Maloney and Kyndall Porter were crowned Homecoming King and Queen.

The victory was the 296th of Coach Steve Hancock’s career.  Both teams are now 4-1 on the season. The Wolves travel to Hollister next week for the Backyard Battle.

 

The new high school football poll has been released and coming off a 27-26 victory over former #4 Mt Vernon, Reeds Spring has cracked the top ten.  The Wolves check in at #7 in Class 3.

Here is a look at the poll:

CLASS 6

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

1. CBC (12), 4-0, 120, 1
2. Lee’s Summit West, 4-0, 106, 2
3. Kirkwood, 4-0, 93, 3
4. Eureka, 4-0, 80, T5
5. DeSmet, 3-1, 62, T5
6. Rockhurst, 2-1, 59, 8
7. Lee’s Summit North, 3-1, 50, 4
8. Rock Bridge, 2-2, 48, 7
9. Raymore-Peculiar, 3-1, 15, 9
10. Marquette, 3-1, 14, NR

Dropped out: No. 10 Blue Springs

Also receiving votes: Blue Springs (2-2), 13

CLASS 5

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

1. Staley (12), 4-0, 120, 1
2. Fort Zumwalt North, 4-0, 102, 2
3. Vianney, 3-1, 99, T3
4. Carthage, 4-0, 78, 5
5. North Kansas City, 4-0, 75, 6
6. Fort Osage, 2-2, 53, T3
7. Battle, 3-1, 49, 7
8. Lebanon, 4-0, 38, 8
9. Timberland, 3-1, 26, 9
10. Jackson, 4-0, 20, 10

CLASS 4

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

1. Webb City (12), 4-0, 120, 1
2. Ladue, 4-0, 106, 2
3. Kearney, 3-1, 95, 3
4. West Plains, 4-0, 82, 4
5. MICDS 4-0, 70, 5
6. Platte County, 3-1, 60, 6
7. Smithville, 4-0, 51, 7
8. Camdenton, 3-1, 39, 8
9. St. Francis Borgia, 4-0, 24, 9
10. Carl Junction, 2-2, 6, NR

Dropped out: No. 10 Helias

Also receiving votes: Rolla (3-1), 5; Helias (2-2) 1; Warrensburg (4-0), 1

CLASS 3

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

1. Odessa (6), 4-0, 112, 1
2. Trinity (6), 2-2, 109, 2
3. Cardinal Ritter, 4-0, 99, 3
4. Maryville, 3-1, 86, 5
5. St. Clair, 4-0, 65, 7
6. Lutheran South, 3-1, 53, 8
7. Reeds Spring, 4-0, 37, NR
8. Cassville, 4-0, 36, 9
9. Southern Boone, 3-1, 30, 10
10. Mt. Vernon, 3-1, 25, 4

Dropped out: No. 6 Eldon

Also receiving votes: Springfield Catholic (3-1), 4; Moberly (3-1), 3; Eldon (3-1), 1

CLASS 2

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

1. Lamar (12), 4-0, 120, 1
2. Blair Oaks, 4-0, 107, 2
3. Lathrop, 4-0, 86, 4
4. Lawson, 4-0, 79, 5
5. Lutheran North, 1-3, 60, 6
6. T6. Clark County, 4-0, 47, 8
7. T6. Lexington, 4-0, 47, 7
8. T8. Macon, 4-0, 35, NR
9. T8. Monroe City, 3-1, 35, 3
10. Palmyra, 4-0, 18, 10

Dropped out: No. 9 Ava

Also receiving votes: Ava (3-1), 14; North Callaway (4-0), 12

CLASS 1

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

1. Westran (12), 4-0, 120, 1
2. East Buchanan, 4-0, 105, 3
3. Fayette, 4-0, 99, 4
4. Marceline, 3-1, 77, 2
5. Hayti, 4-0, 75, 6
6. Adrian, 4-0, 52, 8
7. Pierce City, 4-0, 51, 7
8. Lincoln, 3-1, 29, 9
9. Valle Catholic, 2-2, 23, 10
10. Hamilton-Penney, 2-2, 20, 5

Also receiving votes: Milan (4-0), 9

Here is a look at my District Projections…  These will continue to be a work in progress…  Taking a look at what has happened so far, as well as what is still on the schedule…

Strictly a matter of opinion… and I will be the first to tell you that I can be as wrong as anyone….

Class 3

1. Reeds Spring- Many would pick Cassville, here.  Cant go wrong with either.. but its probably no surprise I go with the Wolves here.
2. Cassville- These dudes are very physical and have plenty of experience
3. Mt Vernon- Top three could almost be in any order.
4. Seneca- Had a tough schedule to start… Have some wins coming
5. Hollister- Almost put them in the 4 spot… Aurora game is key
6. Aurora- Could get into that 4-5 game if things go right
7. Nevada- Future bonus points will get them out of the 8 spot
8. Clinton- Know the least about… its been a rough year so far.

Class 5

1. Carthage- these dudes are for real.  May win the COC
2. Branson- if the Pirates play like last Friday… they finish here
3. Parkview- likely to add two more wins.. could easily stay at 2
4. Nixa- 2-3-4 are pretty tight…. Eagles could finish in any of them
5. Republic- Tigers have already lost to Branson and Nixa

Class 2

1. Strafford – the Fair Grove regular season game will determine 1-2
2. Fair Grove – see above
3. Ava- they are loaded… the week 1 slip at Buffalo cost them #1
4. Liberty- will go 4-1 the rest of way
5. Houston- one of the most improved teams anywhere
6. Mountain Grive- Has head to head over Willow
7. Willow Springs- better even if record does not show
8. Forsyth- Panthers will build a program, but it takes time

Here is a look at the updated district standings for our local teams…

There will be one obvious question, so I am going to go ahead and answer it

Reeds Spring fans should realize that this is completely fluid.  The reason the Wolves are still behind Mt Vernon mainly comes from the bonus points that the Mountaineers have received because they have  played two Class 4 teams.  Reeds Spring will “play up” and get bonus points in a few weeks.  Also,  should the standings end like this.  Reeds Spring would actually be the number two seed because of the head to head win over Mt Vernon.

Class 3

1. Cassville      4-0      50.5
2. Mt Vernon   3-1      44.25
3. Reeds Spring 4-0  44.17
4. Hollister   2-2        31.83
5. Aurora   2-2           29.25
6.  Seneca  1-3          24.75
7. Clinton  0-4          21.17
8.  Nevada   1-3        20.17

Class 5

1. Carthage    4-0     52.17
2. Parkview     2-2      31.92
3. Nixa           2-2         30.58
4.  Branson      2-2     30.08
5.  Republic     0-4      19.08

Class  2

1. Fair Grove                4-0    47.17
2. Strafford                  4-0     47.17
3. Houston                    3-1       45.08
4. Ava                               3-1        41.33
5. Liberty                        1-3           30.42
6. Willow Springs        1-3        25.25
7. Mountian Grove        1-3      23.5
8. Forsyth                        0-4          15.33

I will post my first projections tomorrow….

Reeds Spring and Mt Vernon are becoming regular dance partners.  They met on Friday Night for the third time in just over a year.  The two teams have met in the regular season and district playoffs each of the past two years.

Last year it was Mt Vernon that got a 2-point victory at Carl Langley Field in the District Championship game, ending the Wolves season and propelling the Mountaineers to what eventually would be a spot in the State Championship game.

This night would be another classic, perhaps even more so than any of the previous meetings.

In the early going it looked as if Reeds Spring was going to be able to handle Mt Vernon.  The Wolves defense limited the Mountaineers to 3 and outs on their first three possessions.  Meanwhile a 22 yard Colton Cramblett field goal and a 30 yard touchdown pass from Blake Gronvold to Cole Watson gave the Wolves a 10-0 lead.

Mt Vernon would own the rest of the first half.  Two touchdown passes from Zach Jones to Rafe Darter erased the early Reeds Spring dominance and sent the home town Mountaineers to the locker room with a 14-10 halftime lead.

Seth Stamps would get the Reeds Spring faithful back in the game immediately, to start the second half.  He took the kickoff and took it to the house to put the Wolves back on top.  But, Mt Vernon would respond.  Jones went to the air again, this time finding Carson Bowman for the score and regaining the lead 20-17.

That set up a dramatic fourth quarter.  Reeds Spring drove deep into Mt Vernon territory before having to settle for a 25 yard Cramblett field goal with 7:59 left.  That, tied the score at 20.

It looked like we might be headed to overtime.  But neither team was done.  Reeds Spring went into their bag of tricks with 2:25 left to go in the game and pulled out the hook and ladder.  It worked to perfection, as Seth Stamps got the pitch and raced down the sidelines and into the endzone to give Reeds Spring the lead and possible victory.

But, Mt Vernon did not go away.  After three incomplete passes, they faced a fourth and ten with under two minutes to play and deep in their own territory.  Two completions later and  targeting penalty put them on the Wolves doorstep with time running out.

Eventually they faced fourth and goal from the four yard line, with :26 seconds to play.  And, once again the home team delivered as a touchdown strike to the front, right corner of the endzone brought them to within one.  As they had all night they went for two.

After a time out on each side, one play from the three yard line, to basically determine a winner.  A muddle huddle and a quick snap was followed with an attempted jump pass that was well defensed and intercepted by Reeds Spring.

An onside kick and one kneel down sealed the victory.  27-26 was the final in a classic high school football game.

Unofficially, Cody Hughes had 24 carries for 95 yards to lead the Reeds Spring rushing attack.  Colton Cramblett was perfect on three PATs and two FG attempts.

The win moves Reeds Spring to 4-0 on the season.  They will play host to Springfield Catholic next week for Homecoming.

The District Football Standings have been released following a week where the weather forced numerous delays…

Class 3

1. Cassville  3-0  51.33
2. Mt Vernon 3-0  49.33
3. REEDS SPRING 3-0  44.67
4. Aurora 1-2 25.67
5. Seneca 1-2   25.67
6. Hollister 1-2 24
7. Clinton  0-3  20.33
8. Nevada  0-3  13.67

Class 5

1. Carthage 3-0  51.33
2. Parkview 2-1 37.67
3. BRANSON  2-1   31.33
4. Nixa  1-2  23.67
5. Republic  0-3   17

Class 2

1. Strafford 3-0  48
2. Fair Grove  3-0 46.33
3. Houston 2-1  41.33
4. Ava  2-1  37.33
5. Mt View Liberty 1-2  33.33
6. Willow Springs 1-2  32.17
7. FORSYTH  0-3  15.33
8. Mountain Grove 0-3  15.33

I will update standings weekly and starting next week I will also start with my projections in each class based on current standings and upcoming schedule….