SPRINGFIELD — The high school football schedule is taking shape. Some teams are still chasing conference titles, while others are trying to improve on last year’s win total.
After going 6-0 in our picks last week, we have an overall record of 20-4. Here are our predictions for Week 4 of high school football action in the Springfield area. All kickoffs are set for 7 p.m. Friday unless noted.
Fair Grove (3-0) at Clever (3-0)
It’s one of the week's marquee games in the state. Clever and Fair Grove are two of the top teams in the Mid-Lakes Conference and in Class 2. After defeating Mountain Grove on the road, Fair Grove has easily knocked off Hillcrest and Hollister. Gavin Thomason leads the Eagles offense with 345 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He also threw five touchdowns.
After edging Marionville by five points, Clever has taken down Stockton and Forsyth by at least 21 points. Clever has won 12 of its last 15 games, including a 13-10 win against Fair Grove last season. The win over Fair Grove snapped a six-game losing streak over the Eagles. Running back Kendall Piper will be relied upon for a big game. He has 347 yards and five touchdowns this year. Expect another close game like last year’s contest. Clever 27, Fair Grove 22.
Kickapoo (0-3) at Willard (1-2)
Both teams are desperate for a Week 4 win. Kickapoo have endured a tough schedule to start the season with losses to Joplin, Republic and Carthage. This game gives Bill Voorhis a chance to secure his first win as Kickapoo head coach.
But Willard will try to get back into the win column after suffering back-to-back losses to Ozark and Glendale. Willard will need to avoid the turnover bug that has plagued them. This should be another close game, with two teams ready for a big win. Kickapoo 17, Willard 14
Nixa (3-0) at Webb City (3-0)
The Central Ozark Conference is always providing big games in the region. No. 2 Class 5 Webb City hosts Nixa, ranked No. 2 in Class 6. The Cardinals will be the latest team to try to knock the Eagles off their perch. Webb City took down Glendale and Waynesville with big wins to open the season. Last week, the Cardinals sneaked past Ozark 21-18. Drake Claborn leads the run-first offense with 327 yards and four touchdowns.
Nixa threw down another emphatic win by defeating Republic 49-6. The Eagles' defense showed it can stop a potent rushing attack, which it will need again versus Webb City. Quarterback Adam McKnight and running back Jax Adams have been making big plays to start the season. Nixa 42, Webb City 28
Ozark (1-2) at Republic (2-1)
This is a get-back game for both programs on Friday. Ozark almost pulled off an upset over Webb City before falling 21-18. The Tigers are finding their groove, led by senior running back Jett Easley. Republic is coming off a loss to Nixa, where the team’s ground game struggled to find momentum. Republic has big-play threats, especially through Keiran Govan. A hungry Republic roster is a scary one for many teams in the area. Republic 35, Ozark 20
West Plains (3-0) at Branson (2-1)
West Plains travels to Branson for a big clash in the Ozark Mountain Conference. West Plains quarterback Cale Combs made some big plays in the team’s Week 3 road win over Bolivar. Wide receiver Hurley Schofield and Aden Judd have big-play capabilities for the Zizzers.
After suffering a Week 1 defeat, Branson has rebounded with big wins over Rolla and Marshfield. The Pirates offense has scored 42 and 49 points in each of the previous two weeks. Quarterback Vicente Pastrana continues to show elusiveness and speed in the option-style offense. Branson’s home-field advantage, along with the ability to bleed the clock, will be important in this game. Branson 35, West Plains 28
Southwest Missouri Week 4 schedule
Big Eight Conference
- Cassville (3-0) at McDonald County (1-2)
- East Newton (1-2) at Lamar (3-0)
- Mount Vernon (1-2) at Seneca (1-2)
- Nevada at Aurora, canceled
Central Ozark Conference
- Glendale (1-2) at Carthage (2-1)
- Waynesville (0-3) at Joplin (1-2)
- Kickapoo (0-3) at Willard (1-2)
- Lebanon (1-2) at Neosho (3-0)
- Nixa (3-0) at Webb City (3-0)
- Ozark (1-2) at Republic (2-1)
Mid-Lakes Conference
- Buffalo (2-1) at Hollister (0-3)
- Fair Grove (3-0) at Clever (3-0)
- Springfield Catholic (3-0) at Forsyth (0-3)
- Strafford (2-1) at Reeds Spring (1-2)
Southwest Conference
- Miller (2-1) at Ash Grove (3-0)
- Diamond (0-2) at Sarcoxie (2-1)
- Marionville (1-2) at Stockton (1-2)
- Skyline (3-0) at Pierce City (2-1)
Ozark Mountain Conference
- Hillcrest (1-1) at Bolivar (2-1)
- West Plains (3-0) at Branson (2-1)
- Marshfield (1-2) at Carl Junction (1-2)
Non-conference
- Monett (1-2) at Knob Noster (0-3)
- Logan-Rogersville (3-0) at Parkview (0-3)
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 4 predictions
