5 big things we're looking for in Week 3 of the 2023 Ozarks high school football season
Week 3 of the high school football season features a game that could have conference-championship potential along with a few that are going to set up big matchups for next week. Here are the storylines we're watching.
Will Webb City stay alive in the Central Ozark Conference race?
It might not be "do or die" for the Cardinals, but this is the closest thing to it. A second loss three games into the Central Ozark Conference season could put Webb City (1-1) completely out of the championship race.
After losing to Nixa (2-0) to start the season, a loss to Republic (2-0) would put the Cardinals two games back with Joplin (2-0) still on the schedule. The three teams at the top have yet to play each other but it's difficult to see a champion coming out of this league with two defeats.
Webb City showed it still has an explosive offense in its win over Carl Junction (0-2) last week. The ground game was dominant after scoring just seven points the week prior against Nixa which is widely viewed as the top dog in the league right now.
More: Southwest Missouri high school football predictions: Wyatt guarantees perfection in Week 3
Republic is the team that knocked Webb City out of the postseason back in November for its first-ever win over the Cardinals. The Tigers dominated in that game and a win here would be further proof that Republic is in the mix to win the toughest league in the Ozarks.
Can Kickapoo take control of the Ozark Conference?
The biggest game in the area will take place within city limits with the Chiefs (2-0) hosting Lebanon (2-0) and one will have the opportunity to strengthen their hold at the top of the league.
Lebanon's ground attack is on its way to being historic, again, after putting up big rushing numbers in back-to-back weeks led by Jax Glendenning. The Yellowjackets are clicking after being touted as the league's overwhelming favorite heading into the year.
Kickapoo's offense is new and improved. It's averaging over 50 points per game through two weeks and has been outstanding behind Chase Hamme at quarterback. Scary enough, the offense hasn't tapped into its full potential when its star receivers haven't put up the numbers they're capable of having if they were to play in a full game.
This would be a mammoth win for Kickapoo and perhaps its biggest since Nate Thomas became the head coach. This game will receive the bulk of the area's attention.
Can Logan-Rogersville grab a big win over a top Big 8 West opponent?
We want to see Logan-Rogersville (1-1) knock off a really good team in the Big 8 West. The Wildcats had a close game for a bit last week against Lamar (2-0) but it couldn't finish the job.
Against a good McDonald County (1-1) team, the Wildcats could show that they shouldn't be slept on when their conference play begins when the likes of Mount Vernon (2-0) and Reeds Spring (1-1) are considered the favorites.
More: The 5 Springfield area players to watch in Week 3 of the 2023 high school football season
Logan-Rogersville has the athletes to get it done and the defense is better than the 34 points Lamar ended up scoring in a game that was 7-6 at halftime. The results of this one could give us a better idea of how deep of a race the Big 8 East is going to be.
Will Lamar, Seneca set up the epic Week 4 showdown?
The highly anticipated Lamar and Seneca matchup will take place next week and it would take a bit of a hit if either was to lose this week. Neither is expected to fall but tough opponents still await.
Lamar (2-0) hosts Monett (0-2) which has had to go up against the likes of Reeds Spring and Mount Vernon to start the season. There aren't many tougher starts to a schedule for a team that might be better than what it was a year ago but plays in the best top-to-bottom small-school conferences maybe in the state.
Seneca (2-0) hosts Cassville (2-0) which is off to a solid start but it hasn't played near the competition that others have. The Wildcats have a tough one ahead of them after starting the season with a blowout win over Hollister before squeaking through with a three-point win at Aurora.
Everyone but Monett and Cassville wants to see Lamar and Seneca play next week when they're both undefeated. We'll see if we get a massive upset heading into what could be the matchup of the year.
Who will have the big upset this week?
Carthage @ Nixa — Could the Tigers bounce back from a loss to Branson and knock off the Eagles? It seems unlikely but the Tigers' offensive line is solid and it's been OK defensively through the first two weeks. This would be one of the bigger upsets after seeing the early results this season.
Ozark @ Joplin — Ozark looks like a team that's going to be able to knock off one of the top COC teams at some point this season. The Tigers are tough and there's a lot to like about some of the play-calling. Joplin is one of those top COC teams Ozark could have a shot against if everything goes right.
Week 3 schedule
Thursday
West Plains @ Hillcrest
Friday
Lebanon @ Kickapoo
Glendale @ Rolla
Parkview @ Bolivar
Central @ Fort Scott (Kansas)
Reeds Spring @ Catholic
Carthage @ Nixa
Ozark @ Joplin
Fair Grove @ Skyline
St. Francis Borgia @ Strafford
Webb City @ Republic
Branson @ Willard
Logan-Rogersville @ McDonald County
Waynesville @ Camdenton
Aurora @ Mount Vernon
Ava @ Mountain Grove
Neosho @ Carl Junction
Cassville @ Seneca
Ash Grove @ Stockton
Nevada @ East Newton
Marshfield @ Hollister
Mountain View @ Thayer
Sarcoxie @ Pierce City
Lamar @ Monett
Diamond @ Russellville
Salem @ Houston
Clever @ Forsyth
El Dorado Springs @ Buffalo
Cabool @ Willow Springs
Saturday
Marionville @ Lighthouse
Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or X at @WyattWheeler_NL. He's also the host of the weekly "Wyatt's World Podcast" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcasting platforms.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield area high school football Week 3 preview
