Five area high school football teams will play for a district championship on Friday night.
All of Friday’s games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
District champions advance to the quarterfinal round of the state tournament.
CARTHAGE VS. REPUBLIC
Top-seeded Carthage (9-1) will host third-seeded Republic (8-3) in the championship game of the Class 5 District 6 tournament at David Haffner Stadium.
In the semifinals, Carthage defeated No. 5 Willard 41-21, while Republic upset No. 2 Webb City 30-21. It was Republic’s first-ever win over Webb City.
Ranked first in Class 5 by the Missouri Media, Carthage is scoring 43 points per game and allowing just 15. Republic is averaging 38 points per game, while giving up 29.
The two teams met way back on Aug. 26 in the season opener, with Carthage claiming a 56-26 win.
After falling to Webb City in district title games in both ’21 and ’20, Carthage is looking to capture a district title for the first time since 2019, a year the Tigers went on to win a state championship.
Jon Guidie’s Tigers are looking to win a district championship for the seventh time in nine years.
The Carthage-Republic winner will meet either Lebanon or Camdenton in the quarterfinals on Nov. 19.
NEVADA AT CENTER
In the title game of Class 4 District 7, third-seeded Nevada (9-2) travels to Kansas City to take on top-seeded Center (10-0).
Center defeated No. 5 Carl Junction 33-6 in the semifinals, while Nevada knocked off No. 2 Lincoln College Prep 43-7.
The Tigers, who beat No. 6 Harrisonville 42-21 in the quarterfinals, are scoring 45 points per game and allowing just 15.
The Yellowjackets score 52 points a game and give up just 14.
Center is ranked fourth in Class 4, while Nevada is ranked ninth.
The winner of this game meets either Kearney or Smithville in the quarterfinals on Nov. 19.
LAMAR VS. FAIR GROVE
Top-seeded Lamar (9-1) is hosting third-seeded Fair Grove (7-4) for the Class 2 District 5 crown at Thomas M. O’Sullivan Stadium.
Lamar beat No. 4 Stockton 56-10 in the semifinals, while Fair Grove knocked off No. 2 Warsaw 22-14.
Ranked third in Class 2, Lamar is scoring 45 points per game and allowing 10.5. Fair Grove scores 37 points a game and gives up 25.
Lamar, last year’s state runner-up, has won six straight games since their lone loss, a 36-33 setback at Seneca on Sept. 16.
The Lamar-Fair Grove winner takes on either Pembroke Hill or Holden in the quarterfinals.
MOUNT VERNON AT SENECA
The top-seeded Indians (9-1) and second-seeded Mountaineers (8-3) will clash for the Class 2 District 4 championship on Friday night at Tom Hodge Field in Seneca.
Seneca pounded No. 4 Hollister 42-0 in last week’s semifinals, while Mount Vernon beat No. 3 Forsyth 42-15.
Ranked fourth in Class 2, the Indians are averaging 44.5 points per game and allowing 19. Mount Vernon scores 33 a game and allows 14.5.
As far as common opponents, both teams have defeated Aurora, Hollister, McDonald County, Monett and Springfield Catholic this season.
Seneca defeated Reeds Spring 63-49, while Mount Vernon suffered a 35-34 loss to the Wolves.
Both teams suffered a loss to Nevada. That’s Seneca’s lone setback.
Mount Vernon and Seneca did not meet during the regular season.
The Indians are looking to capture a district title for the second straight season. Mount Vernon last won a district championship in 2018.
The winner of this district meets either Liberty (Mountain View) or Mountain Grove in the quarterfinals on Nov. 19.
WATCH DISTRICT TITLE GAMES ONLINE: MSHSAA TV
