Month: August 2016

Whether you know me or you have just been following my “countdown to kickoff” you know that I love high school football.  There is nothing like a fall Friday night in small town America.

In Missouri, that countdown is down to SEVEN days.  Only one week to go.  Well, that means it is Jamboree night.  If you are not familiar with the way things are done in Missouri a Football Jamboree is pretty much a Four way scrimmage.  Four teams come together at one site to play one another.  Each team will get twelve plays on offense and twelve plays on defense against each team, then rotate to the next.

When you have been hitting only your teammates for a couple of weeks, its a nice change of pace to get to line up and smack someone else in the mouth.  Things are a little different than they were in the early days of this format.  With full-contact team camps in the late summer, most teams have had a least a little chance to see their troops against opposition.  And some say that has made the Jamboree’s a little less important.

I actually disagree.  For me, its one last chance to see where the guys are really at, a week before it counts.  It’s a chance for coaches to get one last chance to evaluate at game speed.  It’s a chance for players trying to make an impression to step up and make that impression.  It’s a chance to see, at this point, who is really ready to play under the Friday Night Lights.

Tri-Lakes area folks will have a couple of places to choose from to see football tonight without having to travel far.

Hollister is hosting a Jamboree that includes the Tigers, as well as Springfield Catholic, Diamond, and Ava.

I will get a chance to see Branson as well as my Reeds Spring Wolves.  The Pirates are hosting this year. The Jamboree includes Kickapoo and Aurora in addition to the local schools.

Play at both schools is set to start at 7.  So, gather up the family and head out to the stadium of your choice for a nice preview.

Folks, its just about here… ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

Its Jamboree time as the Fall Sports get ready to start their seasons…

Football-  Friday at 7:00

Reeds Spring, Branson, Kickapoo and Aurora at Branson

Hollister, Springfield Catholic, Ava, and Diamond at Hollister

 

Softball-

Branson, Aurora, and Bolivar at Branson (Monday at 5:00)

Reeds Spring, Hollister, Norwood, Hillcrest at Hollister (Sat at 11:00)

 

Volleyball-

Branson, Kickapoo, West Plains at Kickapoo (Tues 8/16 at 5:00)

Reeds Spring, Mountain Grove, Willard at Willard (Tues 8/16 at 5:00)

Soccer-

Branson, Carl Junction, Catholic, West Plains (Tues 8/16 at 5:00)

 

 

 

The Clock is ticking.  We are under two weeks until the official kickoff of the high school football season.  Jamborees are this Friday.

Reeds Spring had a short practice on Saturday.  Now back in full pads and able to go with Full contact, the Wolves set their sites on the upcoming Jamboree at Branson and more importantly opening night against Mt Vernon.

Still some unanswered questions, that probably wont be answered until the season is well underway.  How will the Wolves replace the production of Nick Haddock and Colton Pomeroy?  Not from just an offensive standpoint, but defensively as well.

Who will step up and lead?  And finally can they take full advantage of all their athleticism and speed?

As always, I have a lot of confidence in the Big Red.  Cant way to see them under the Friday Night Lights.

Stopped by briefly at Branson and Hollister football practices this morning. Some quick impressions

Hollister

1. Tigers don’t have large numbers but have kids that are ready to work
2. Pretty good size on the offensive line.
3. Lots of familiar faces. Playing a lot of youth in the past may pay off.
4. A couple of nice looking new faces, including basketballer Derek Morris
5. In addition to the new turf and picture on scoreboard. Hollister has installed visitor side seating.

Branson

1. Very efficiently run practice
2. Pirates have some real talent at the skill positions
3. Numbers are not huge, but not bad.
4. Staying healthy will be key
5. looking forward to seeing the Pirates at next weeks Jamboree

will have a preseason outlook for both schools next week.

When you look for traditional hard hitting, small school football in SW Missouri you have to look no further than the Big 8.  The rivalries in this league date back generations.  They have produced multiple state champs, and might just add to that streak again this year.

Any talk of small school football has to start with Lamar.  This little school has become a football factory.  Year after year rolling their way to the Dome.  Well, the Dome, may not be the destination everyone is shooting for this year, but Lamar will not only be the likely favorites in the league but the favorites to top Class 2 once again.

Aurora went on a magical journey a year ago.  Their senior laden squad got hot at the right time and won two district games on the road while claiming the District Title.  The Houn Dawgs then took care of Mountain Grove before finally falling in the State Semi-Finals.  They will be hard pressed to repeat that in 2016 as they were hit extremely hard by graduation.

Monett is a team that lives near the top of the Big 8 as of late.  The Cubs have been to two State Semi-Finals in recent years.  Under a new head Continue reading “Big Eight still Loaded….”