SPRINGFIELD — It’s the final week of regular season high school football in Missouri. It’s the last opportunity for teams to enhance district seeding and contend for a conference title on Friday, Oct. 23.
After going 5-0 in our picks last week,
we're 41-8 overall. Here are our predictions for Week 9 of high school football action in the Springfield area. All kickoffs are set for 7 p.m. Friday unless noted.Branson (7-1) at Logan-Rogersville (8-0)
This is one of the marquee games in Southwest Missouri. The Ozark Mountain Conference title is on the line. The winner will claim the conference crown. Logan-Rogersville has also never finished a regular season undefeated.
The Wildcats have figured out how to win games with comeback performances. Last week, Logan-Rogersville took down Marshfield
and will rely on the legs of Joe Roche to lead them to another big win. After losing Week 1, Branson has won seven straight games. Besides a road win over Carl Junction, Branson has won by multiple possessions each time. This is going to be a shootout between two hungry teams. Logan-Rogersville’s ability to play loose at home may be the difference. Logan-Rogersville 42, Branson 36
Hillcrest (2-5) at Carl Junction (4-4)
Hillcrest is looking for its first three-win season since 2018. The Hornets offense has been able to rip big plays thanks to Xavier Garnett and Keyon Clay. Hillcrest’s defense will need to step up against a strong Carl Junction squad. In Hillcrest’s two wins, the defense has surrendered less than 13 points each time. Carl Junction has won back-to-back games over Parkview and Bolivar. The Bulldogs have scored at least 28 points in all of their home games. Carl Junction 31, Hillcrest 24
Neosho (7-1) at Carthage (6-2)
Two heavy hitters in the Central Ozarks Conference West Division meet to end the regular season. After losing to Republic, Neosho has won three straight games over Willard, Joplin and Webb City. Quarterback Blayne Patterson has thrown for 1,279 yards with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions this year. Carthage’s always efficient running offense will try to wear down Neosho. Carthage is undefeated at home, with its only losses on the road to Nixa and Republic. Carthage has lost only one regular-season home game since 2024. Carthage 38, Neosho 35
Ozark (3-5) at Kickapoo (2-6)
Ozark is trying to have a four-win season for the second time in six years. Kickapoo will try to notch its third win under first-year head coach Bill Voorhis. Ozark’s offense has been able to move the ball and score points through quarterback Caden O’Donnell and running back Jett Easley. The Tigers almost came away with a key win over Glendale last week. Kickapoo will see if they can finish the season with back-to-back wins after toppling Waynesville 18-15. Ozark 28, Kickapoo 22
Strafford (4-4) at Springfield Catholic (8-0)
The Irish are trying to stake claim to the Mid-Lakes Conference crown. With a win, Springfield Catholic can win the league outright by finishing the regular season with an unprecedented undefeated record. Catholic’s defense has been superb, allowing an average of 15.5 points in the previous four games. Strafford will look for the upset, but it has been a tough second half of the season for the Indians. After starting 4-1, Strafford has lost three straight games. It’s been an extremely hard schedule for Strafford, too. The Indians closed the season against Clever, Fair Grove and Catholic. Springfield Catholic 42, Strafford 13
Southwest Missouri Week 9 schedule
Big Eight Conference
- East Newton (2-6) at Aurora (0-8)
- Cassville (7-1) at Nevada (5-3)
- Lamar (8-0) at Monett (4-4)
- McDonald County (3-5) at Seneca (5-2)
Central Ozark Conference
- Neosho (7-1) at Carthage (6-2)
- Nixa (7-1) at Glendale (5-3), Thursday
- Joplin (3-5) at Webb City (5-3)
- Ozark (3-5) at Kickapoo (2-6)
- Lebanon (2-6) at Waynesville (0-8)
- Republic (7-1) at Willard (1-7)
Mid-Lakes Conference
- Fair Grove (7-1) at Buffalo (3-5)
- Clever (6-2) at Reeds Spring (3-5)
- Hollister (0-8) at Forsyth (3-5)
- Strafford (4-4) at Springfield Catholic (8-0)
Southwest Conference
- Ash Grove (5-3) at Sarcoxie (4-4)
- Skyline (6-2) at Diamond (0-7)
- Pierce City (4-4) at Marionville (6-2)
- Miller (6-2) at Stockton (3-5)
Ozark Mountain Conference
- Branson (7-1) at Logan-Rogersville (8-0)
- Hillcrest (2-5) at Carl Junction (4-4)
- Marshfield (2-6) at West Plains (6-2)
Non-conference
- Mount Vernon (3-5) at Summit Christian Academy (6-2)
- Parkview (0-8) at Bolivar (4-4)
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Southwest Missouri area high school football Week 9 predictions
