As Week 5 of the 2023 prep football season arrives on Friday night, the Joplin area features six state-ranked squads.
Joplin is ranked 10th in Class 6. The Eagles, who are coming off a 38-21 loss to Webb City, are now 3-1.
The Eagles, who have been plagued by injuries, have another big matchup this Friday at Junge Field. Joplin hosts undefeated Nixa, a team ranked fourth in Class 6.
After three straight wins following a Week 1 setback to Nixa, Webb City is now ranked second in Class 5.
Cardinal Ritter (4-0) is the top-ranked team in the Missouri Media’s Class 5 poll. Also of note, Republic, a team that Webb City beat 42-21 in Week 3, is now ranked eighth in Class 5.
Webb City hosts Ozark (1-3) this Friday at Cardinal Stadium.
The lone regional school ranked in Class 4 is Nevada.
The Tigers (4-0) have a huge Big 8 matchup this week, as they’ll host Class 3 No. 7 Mount Vernon (4-0) on Friday night in a showdown of undefeated squads.
After a 28-14 win over Lamar last Friday, Seneca is now ranked second in Class 3. Blair Oaks (4-0) is the top-ranked team in Class 3.
Seneca (4-0) hosts Monett (0-4) this Friday.
Despite last week’s loss to the Indians, the Lamar Tigers (3-1) are still ranked first in the Class 2 poll.
Lamar is at East Newton (1-3) this week.
Although they have yet to crack the 8-Man football state rankings, the College Heights Cougars are off to a 3-1 start to the ’23 season after last week’s 54-52 come from behind win over Liberal (with Bronaugh).
Like several of our local schools, College Heights has a big game this week, as the Cougars travel to ninth-ranked Appleton City (3-1) on Friday night.
In other games this week of local interest, Carthage (1-3) is at Neosho (0-4), Carl Junction (1-3) hosts Branson (1-3) and McDonald County (2-2) entertains Cassville (3-1).
Check back at www.somo-sports.com on Friday night to see scores and stories related to our area squads.
