(West Plains) It continues to be an impressive showing for area high school football teams as post season competition continues on both sides of the state line.
In class 4, West Plains held off a second half rally by Carl Junction to again advance to the state quarterfinals. West Plains struck for 2 touchdowns in 30 seconds in the fourth quarter to put the game away. This came after the Bulldogs had reduced the Zizzer lead to 28-26 in the third. The West Plains defense utilized 4 takeaways, including Connor Lair’s second interception, to help seal the win, 41-26.
West Plains will travel Jefferson City Friday night for a date with the season-long number one team, undefeated Jeff City Helias. The Crusaders wiped out the Warrensburg Tigers, 49-14 to advance. KDY will broadcast the contest, kick-off is set for 7.
In class 3, Mountain Grove’s very young Panthers surprised by making it to the district title game before losing to Buffalo, 42. A season mark of 5-7 after going winless last year is a sign of rapid progress, making the Panthers a serious contender going into next season for coach Brandon Rogers.
In Class 2 at Fair Grove, nobody was as surprised as the home Eagles. After blowing Liberty out on the same field early in the season, the role was reversed as Liberty dropped the hammer on Fair Grove, 44-20. A dominant performance for Liberty, now playing their best football of the season. They will need more of that Saturday afternoon at 1 when they host Lamar, 9-1. The Eagles have played some heartstoppers against the Tigers in the post season over the years, but Lamar carries a 7-0 record against Liberty into the game.
That game will kick off at 1 Saturday at The Nest. Broadcast will be on 96.9 The Fox. Streaming video will be available through the MSHSAA streaming platform. There is a charge.
In Class 1, the Thayer Bobcats keep rolling and have the look of a possible state champion. They lost right off the bat this season to Hayti by 2. Last Friday, this time with the services of starting quarterback Jayce Haven, it was a green nightmare of Hayti as the Bobcats swamped them, 52-22. Thayer ran their record to 12-1 with the win.
Now, Thayer will travel to Mokane Saturday for a 1 o’clock game with South Callaway.
In the Arkansas playoffs, the amazing story of the Mountain Home Bombers continues to the written. In class 6A, the Bombers rallied from a 14-0 deficit at the half and beat the Pine Bluff Zebras, 24-20. The win gives Mountain Home a 6-5 record. This is the same time that didn’t win a game last year. Now they are one of the teams you least want to play in the post season.
Mountain Home will now face Van Buren. The Bombers beat the Pointers 49-37 5 weeks ago in Mountain Home.
Also Friday, Pocahontas beat the Highland Rebels, 40-22. The win continues a strong season by the Redskins, moving their season mark to 8-2. The Rebels fell to 2-6.
The Salem Greyhounds play Friday in the 3A bracket at Paris. Salem will come in with a 6-4 record while Paris is 9-1, their only loss to Boonville, 28-20 on October 30.
Also in 3A, the 7-2 Melbourne Bearkats will face off with the Cedarville Pirates, 7-3. Melbourne will be trying to extend a 2 game winning streak in the game at Cedarville.
