The O-Zone Football Power rankings will be released on every week throughout the football season. Rankings are a measurement of dominance within class and not a strictly head-to-head comparison. Coaches are encouraged to send any information, including stats, milestones and records to Chris Parker (cparker@ky3.com). See the top plays of last week’s football games in the video above.
DISCLAIMER: Before I go any further, because there seems to be confusion, THESE ARE NOT A HEAD-TO-HEAD RANKING, BUT A RANKING OF DOMINANCE BY CLASS. I am not saying I think the Class 1 schools on this list could beat all the Class 4-6 teams ranked below them or not ranked.
CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS – CLICK HERE
DISTRICT FOOTBALL STANDINGS – CLICK HERE
1. Joplin (C6 – 7-0 – LW: 1)
Joplin was balanced in a 50-14 road win over Ozark with 188 yards passing and 186 yards rushing on the day. Isaiah Davis had nine carries for 143 yards and three touchdowns in the win to bring his season total 1,023 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns. Eli Eminger was a force on defense with three tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery. Up next is Joplin’s senior night with the Nixa Eagles coming to town.
2. Webb City (C4 – 6-1 – LW: 2)
The Cardinals made quick work of Republic in a 49-6 road victory. Devrin Weathers turned nine carries into 89 yards and two touchdowns while Terrell Kabala had four carries that went for 49 yards and two touchdowns. Webb City rolled up 330 total yards on the ground against the Tigers. Ozark comes to town this week for Webb City’s senior night.
3. Lincoln (C1– 7-0 – LW: 3)
Lincoln picked up its seventh win of the season in a 63-12 blowout of Santa Fe. Jackson Beaman did what he does throwing for 302 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 112 yards and three more scores. To date, Beaman has 1,705 yards passing for 26 touchdowns and 916 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns. A state championship run would be 15 games. The competition will get tougher, but keeping up this pace, he has a real shot at a 3,000-yard passing, 2,000-yard rushing season with more than 75 touchdowns. Defensively, Tanner Bays is now up to 22 tackles for a loss and six sacks.
4. Mt. Vernon (C3 – 7-0 – LW: 4)
Mt. Vernon got a tough road test against Seneca and passed with a 21-12 win. The Mountaineer offense was shutout in the second half, but the defense answered the bell as it always does. The Mountaineers host Catholic this week for senior night before travelling to face Hollister to finish out the regular season. A win for Mt. Vernon on Friday wraps up a Big 8 East title.
5. Carthage (C5 – 5-2 – LW: 5)
Carthage bounced back from a tight game with Branson in Week 6 with a three-touchdown win over Willard in Week 7. Patrick Carlton accounted for all five scores with four rushing touchdowns and another passing. He had 140 yards on the ground to go with 145 yards through the air. Carthage hosts Republic for senior night this week.
6. Pierce City (C1 – 7-0 – LW: 7)
Pierce City moves up a spot this week after Thayer’s close loss up a class (more on Thayer later). The Eagles haven’t played a schedule as tough as Thayer’s, but the Eagles have done everything you could ask against the teams in front of them. Since Week 1, Pierce City has outscored opponents 268-0. That is unheard of. This week is the week. Pierce City travels to Miller in a showdown of unbeaten, state-ranked district foes. The atmosphere is going to be awesome in Miller on Friday. We will learn a lot about both squads this week.
7. Ava (C2 – 7-0 – LW: 9)
It was a classic SCA battle between Ava and Thayer on Friday with the Bears coming out on top 12-6 in overtime. Kayden Myers carried the ball 29 times for 111 yards and both Ava touchdowns. He also hauled in Ava’s one pass for 13 yards. It was the 20th consecutive SCA win for Ava. Ava hosts Cabool for senior night this week before closing out the regular season at Willow Springs. Right now, the second-best record in Ava’s district is 4-3, so the Bears are going to be a heavy favorite come postseason play.
8. Camdenton (C4 – 7-0 – LW: 8)
Camdenton survived Class 5 Glendale 50-42. Paxton Delaurent threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns, but he was picked off by the Glendale defense twice. Glendale is a powerful offense no doubt and that showed with Gavin Watts throwing for 486 yards and five touchdowns. The Lakers have two home games remaining to complete an unbeaten run through the Ozark Conference and regular season.
9. Thayer (C1 – 6-1 – LW: 6)
Thayer took a tough loss to Class 2 undefeated Ava on Friday. It isn’t a bad loss by any stretch, but they do slip a couple spots in the rankings mostly because of how flawless Pierce City has been playing. The district standings have tightened a bit with the lead over Pierce City down to four points. Thayer has games against Class 2 Willow Springs and Mountain Grove remaining, so if the Bobcats win out there is nothing Pierce City (or Miller) could do to catch them.
10. Lamar (C2 – 5-2 – LW: 10)
Lamar reeled off a second consecutive win in a 49-28 decision over McDonald County. The Tigers travel to face winless Nevada in the Silver Tiger game this week.
Knocking on the Door: West Plains (6-1), Fair Grove (C2 – 7-0), Bolivar (C4 – 7-0), Miller (C1 – 7-0), Lebanon (C4 – 5-2)
