SPRINGFIELD — The high school football season is past the halfway point. Conference titles are up for grabs and teams are rounding into some solid form.
After going 4-1 in our picks last week, we have an overall record of 27-7. Here are our predictions for Week 6 of high school football action in the Springfield area. All kickoffs are set for 7 p.m. Friday unless noted.
Buffalo (3-2) at Springfield Catholic (5-0)
The Irish have rolled through the first five games of the season. Last week, Catholic took down previously undefeated Fair Grove. Sam Boster and Jett Lewis are picking apart opposing defenses. On the other side of the ball, the Catholic defense is shining, allowing an average of 20 points per game.
Buffalo is coming off of a loss to Clever, but the Bison haven’t been slouches. They
suffered a close loss to Strafford and earned big wins over Diamond, Warsaw and Hollister. Catholic’s defense will be the best that Buffalo has seen so far this season. Springfield Catholic 35, Buffalo 22
Glendale (2-3) at Lebanon (2-3)
Glendale has won two of its last three games and will try for another win. Glendale took down Lebanon last year, snapping a 10-game losing skid versus the Yellowjackets. Glendale quarterback Ryder Spickard is playing well with 1,014 passing yards so far. Trevor Heman and Joelle Rover continue to be two of the best receiving threats in the area, too.
It will all come down to Glendale’s defense and whether they can get enough stops against running back Elisha Simmonds, who has 486 yards and four touchdowns. Lebanon has wins over Joplin and Kickapoo. The Yellowjackets are playing much better over the past few weeks, just like Glendale. Expect a shootout in this game. Glendale 49, Lebanon 46
Lamar (5-0) at Cassville (5-0)
It’s the game of the week in Southwest Missouri. No.3 Class 3 Cassville hosts No. 3 Class 2 Lamar in a huge Big 8 Conference matchup.
Lamar has won six of the last seven meetings dating back to 2019. Lamar has won by at least 24 points in four of its five wins. The Tigers took down defending state champions Seneca 20-12 in Week 2. Running back Terren Williams has big play potential. Last week, Williams peeled off a 54-yard touchdown to highlight the team’s win over Christ Prep.
Cassville has also won four of their games in blowouts. The Wildcats secured a three-point win over Seneca, too. The Wildcats are led by Jaren Stearns, who makes the offense go. Not only can he rush the ball, the quarterback can also make some deep shots. He tossed a 65-yard touchdown last week in the team’s win against East Newton. This game is a true toss-up, expect the unexpected, but winning close games has been Lamar’s forte for many years. Lamar 28, Cassville 27
Ozark (1-4) at Waynesville (0-5)
After defeating Willard in Week 2, Ozark has played two close games. The Tigers lost by just three points to Webb City, while putting up a fight against Nixa in a 45-28 loss. Ozark will be trying to get back into the win column versus a desperate Waynesville team. Waynesville hasn’t scored more than 21 points all season. In their short history, Ozark is 5-0 all-time against Waynesville. Ozark 28, Waynesville 20
Republic (4-1) at Joplin (2-3)
At the moment, no one can slow down Republic’s Nolan Lashley. He’s securing touchdown after touchdown as the Tigers have won some big games, including a home victory over previously undefeated Neosho last week.
Joplin gave Nixa everything it could handle in Week 2. Nixa secured a 30-27 win. If Republic aren’t careful, Joplin can make this a contest. The Tigers are rounding into some outstanding form thanks to Lashley. Republic 42, Joplin 21
Southwest Missouri Week 6 schedule
Big Eight Conference
- Aurora (0-5) at Rolla (2-3)
- Lamar (5-0) at Cassville (5-0)
- Mt. Vernon (2-3) at East Newton (1-4)
- Nevada (4-1) at McDonald County (1-4)
- Monett (3-2) at Seneca (3-2)
Central Ozark Conference
- Carthage (4-1) at Webb City (5-0)
- Glendale (2-3) at Lebanon (2-3)
- Republic (4-1) at Joplin (2-3)
- Kickapoo (1-4) at Nixa (4-1), Thursday
- Willard (1-4) at Neosho (4-1)
- Ozark (1-4) at Waynesville (0-5)
Mid-Lakes Conference
- Buffalo (3-2) at Springfield Catholic (5-0)
- Hollister (0-5) at Clever (4-1)
- Reeds Spring (1-4) at Fair Grove (4-1)
- Strafford (4-1) at Forsyth (1-4)
Southwest Conference
- Pierce City (3-2) at Ash Grove (4-1)
- Stockton (1-4) at Diamond (0-4)
- Miller (4-1) at Marionville (3-2)
- Skyline (4-1) at Sarcoxie (3-2)
Ozark Mountain Conference
- Bolivar (3-2) at Marshfield (2-3)
- Carl Junction (2-3) at West Plains (4-1)
- Logan-Rogersville (5-0) at Hillcrest (1-3)
Non-conference
- Parkview (0-5) at Branson (4-1)
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: Springfield area high school football Week 6 predictions
