Three area prep football teams will attempt to reach the semifinals of their respective state tournaments this weekend.
Below is a quick look at the quarterfinal matchups of local interest.
CLASS 5 QUARTERFINAL
Lebanon (10-1) at Webb City (8-3), Friday at 7 p.m.
OUTLOOK: Webb City avenged a regular season setback to Carthage in the District 6 championship game, as the Cardinals overcame a 14-point deficit and knocked off the previously undefeated Tigers 28-21 in what was another memorable clash between the close rivals.
Incredibly, John Roderique’s Cardinals have now won 22 straight district championships.
Lebanon beat Glendale 56-26 for the District 5 crown. Lebanon’s lone loss came in Week 8, a 28-20 setback to Rolla. The Yellowjackets own a win over Class 4 quarterfinalist West Plains (44-34).
Both teams are averaging 41 points per game. The Yellowjackets are allowing 20 points per game, while the Cardinals have given up 22 points per game.
Webb City is ranked fourth by the Missouri Media, while Lebanon is ranked seventh.
These two teams also met in this round last season at Cardinal Stadium, with Webb City advancing to the semifinals with a convincing 42-14 win.
The winner of this game will advance to the semifinals on Nov. 27, where they’ll meet either defending state champion Jackson or Rockwood Summit.
CLASS 3 QUARTERFINAL
Mexico (9-2) at Seneca (8-4), Saturday at 2 p.m.
OUTLOOK: The Indians defeated Mountain Grove 24-18 in the district championship game.
Seneca is in the quarterfinal round for the first time since 2013. The Indians finished as the state runner-up that season.
Led by QB Ethan Fritchey and running backs Jaxson Graham and Jackson Marrs, the Indians have won four straight games since suffering a loss to Class 2 defending state champion Lamar.
Seneca is averaging 25 points per game and allowing 24. Mexico is scoring 39 points per contest while allowing 18.
Mexico handled Blair Oaks 49-14 in the district championship game. The Bulldogs’ losses are to Class 4 quarterfinalist Hannibal and to Class 4 Kirksville.
The winner of this game will meet either Park Hills Central or St. Mary’s in the semifinals on Nov. 27.
CLASS 2 QUARTERFINAL
Lamar (11-0) at Ava (11-0), Saturday at 1 p.m.
OUTLOOK: Lamar is in the quarterfinal round for the 13th straight season.
In a clash between the top-ranked teams in Class 2, Lamar rode a big second half to a 35-7 win over second-ranked Fair Grove in the district championship game.
Led by QB Joel Beshore and RB Austin Wilkerson, the defending state champion Tigers scored 28 unanswered points after the game was deadlocked at halftime.
Ranked fourth, Ava defeated Liberty 48-6 last Friday to advance.
The Bears are averaging 44 points per game and allowing 11. Lamar is scoring 46 per game and giving up just 8 points per game. Ava defeated Lamar in this round in 2019.
The Lamar-Ava winner will meet either Maryville or Richmond in the semifinals on Nov. 27.
HOW TO WATCH: All of the area games can be viewed online for a $10 fee at: https://www.mshsaa.tv/
