Missouri High School Football Class 5 Playoffs Preview

Written by Charlie Beuttel 
Twitter: @charlie_cds3 

The 2014 Missouri High School Playoffs ended with Battle defeating Nix 25-22 in a thrilling championship game. This year may end up with different teams in the championship game with Nix finishing the regulars season 4-5 and Battle earning a first round bye as one of the top teams in the state. For Battle to repeat in 2015 they will have the hands full against other top teams earning a bye in the first round that includess Fox (7-2), Chaminade (8-1), Republic (5-4), Smith-Cotton (9-0), Carthage (8-1), Staley (8-1), Truman (7-2), Fort Osage (8-1), Washington (6-3) and Fort Zumwalt North (9-0).

Play in Missouri’s Class 5 was a great throughout the season with several teams including Truman (7-2), Belton (6-3) and Fox (7-2) recovering from down seasons last year to having a first round bye or hosting in the first round this year.

There are many stars on the teams who clinched first round byes including Fort Osage quarterback Skylar Thompson (Kansas State) and Chaminade defensive back Roderick Campbell (Northwestern). However there also stars looking to help push their team past the first weekend of play including Park Hill defensive Davion Tyler, who is rated as a three-star recruit, Pattonville linebacker Markail Williams, who has an offer from Wyoming, and Fort Zumwalt North All-Division defensive end Blake Wilson.

Several road teams have the ability to knock off their opponents in the first round including Winnetonka and North Kansas City so it will be interesting who can rise up on the road and deliver that knockout punch and which team will go home with unfulfilled dreams.

The old adage goes anything can happen in the playoffs so get in your seat and buckle up because it’s playoff time in Missouri. Who will survive the first round and advance? Only time will tell.

First Round Missouri High School Games
October 23
Oakville (4-5) @ Popular Bluff (5-2)
Parkway South (1-7) @ Summit (7-2)
Jackson (5-3) @ Vlanney (6-3)
McCluer (3-5) @ Pattonville (6-3)
Webster Groves (2-5) @ Ladue (7-2)
Glendale (3-6) @ Springfield Central (5-4)
Branson (1-8) @ Nixa (4-5)
Williard (5-4) @ Belton (6-3)
Ruskin (0-9) @ Neosho (5-3)
Fort Zumwalt East (4-5) @ Parkway Central (6-3)
Holt (0-9) @ Parkway North (6-3)
Parkway West (4-5) @ Fort Zumwalt South (6-3)
Camdenton (3-6) @ Waynesville (3-6)
Rolla (2-7) @ Lebanon (5-4)
North Kansas City (2-7) @ Raytown (3-6)
Winnetonka (1-8) @ William Chrisman (3-6)
Liberty (3-6) @ St. Joseph Central (3-6)
Oak Park (1-8) @ Park Hill (8-1)
Park Hill South (2-7) @ Liberty North (7-2)
Parkview (4-5) @ Ozark (1-8)

October 24
McCluer North (3-6) @ Hazelwood East (5-4)

Photo credit: prepskc.com; Park Hill South celebrates a win.