Southwest Missouri high school football predictions: Wyatt gives you his Week 1 picks
It's that time of the year again when I sit down weekly and my high school football picks that the kids in the student sections see, yell at me about and then make fun of me when I'm wrong.
High school football is back with the season kicking off this week across the area. There are a few huge games this week that will give us an idea about how this season is going to go.
I've been consistent with my picks for the last two years, but the goal is to get better heading into my third year.
Wyatt's regular season record
2021 - 189-42 (81.8%) *note that he started midseason*
2022 - 205-47 (81.4%)
Here are my picks for the week.
More football: All of our 2023 Missouri State, high school football preseason coverage in one place
Carthage @ Republic
There's been a lot of hype this offseason surrounding Republic and it's time to see if the Tigers can live up to the high expectations they've earned throughout the last few years.
Their first test will be against Carthage, one of the best teams in the area a year ago, which lost a handful of its best players. The Tigers in blue have been a consistent program over the years and it will be interesting to see how they've reloaded when going up against a team that's supposed to be as good as Republic has been touted this year.
I'm going with Republic as I think it starts its highly anticipated season off on the right note. Republic 34, Carthage 28
Webb City @ Nixa
Webb City starts a new era under head coach Ryan McFarland against a team that's one of the favorites to be atop the Central Ozark Conference standings by the end of the season.
Nixa has a lot to replace, notably at running back where it lost the News-Leader's Player of the Year. The Eagles will also have to make key replacements at quarterback, receiver and other spots but they're expected to have one of the better offensive lines in the area behind Jackson Cantwell, the No. 6 player in the 2026 high school class, according to 247Sports.
Webb City had some struggles last year while finishing 6-4 and not winning at least a district championship for the first time in over a decade. The Cardinals still have talent, notably in running back Breckin Galardo, and they will have continuity with coaches being promoted within the program.
Nixa appears to be ahead of Webb City at the moment. I'm curious to see how Webb City looks in its first game without its legendary head coach. Nixa 37, Webb City 24
More: Nixa's Spencer Ward is ready to show college coaches what they're missing out on
Mount Vernon @ McDonald County
The Mountaineers are one of my favorites to break out this season. McDonald County is a team that I don't think I've given enough love heading into the season.
This might be the best of the Big 8 cross-league games when we've seen the Big 8 West dominate the East for the last several years. Mount Vernon will be in contention for the East title while the Mustangs showed glimpses early last year of being a West contender but couldn't get it done against the likes of Lamar, Monett and Seneca.
The two quarterbacks in this game, Gavin Johnston (Mount Vernon) and Destyn Dowd (McDonald County), are among the best in the Ozarks. We should see some fireworks here. Mount Vernon 34, McDonald County 21
Reeds Spring @ Monett
Because of Monett's late surge last season, this is a game that interests me and it wouldn't blow my mind if the Cubs were ready to make an early-season statement against the Class 3 runners-up.
Monett won four of its last six games which included a shutout win over McDonald County in a 14-point win over Logan-Rogersville. The Cubs were a different team than the one that started the year 0-5 and with six total points in the first three weeks.
Reeds Spring should still be very good. It has the best quarterback-receiver combo in the area in addition to standouts returning on both sides of the ball. The Wolves did lose their best player in Caden Wiest but there should be enough in this program to compete with the best teams in the area. Reeds Spring 31, Monett 21
Ozark Conference
West Plains @ Bolivar — From what I've heard, West Plains sounds like it will be the team to challenge Lebanon for the Ozark Conference title this year. Joel Wyatt has this program in a great spot going into his second season. West Plains 31, Bolivar 14
Rolla @ Camdenton — Both teams have new head coaches. Only one team has a Durnin brother ready to rock and roll. Camdenton 31, Rolla 24
Waynesville @ Glendale — There will be a lot of eyes on this one, no matter who is at quarterback for Glendale. I think the Falcons are talented enough to get this one, no matter what. Glendale 27, Waynesville 17
Kickapoo @ Hillcrest — I love what I saw from the Chiefs' offense at their jamboree and I think the defense is going to want to make a quick statement after losing the majority from their top-tier defense a year ago. Kickapoo 42, Hillcrest 14
Parkview @ Lebanon — The Yellowjackets are one of my favorite teams in the area entering this season. Jax Glendenning and some new names will stand out this week. Lebanon 45, Parkview 14
Central Ozark Conference
Joplin @ Branson — The Eagles might have the best offense in the area this year and could see their numbers as some of the best in the state. The defense has something to prove. Joplin 45, Branson 10
Ozark @ Carl Junction — I liked what I saw from Jeremy Cordell's new-look Tigers, especially on the defensive side. I think starting on the road against a Carl Junction team that's a tad bit ahead offensively might be a tough ask. Carl Junction 21, Ozark 17
Webb City @ Nixa — See above
Carthage @ Republic — See above
Neosho @ Willard — These two scored a combined 151 points in their season opener against each other last year. I think Willard is ready to take a few steps forward this year. Willard 37, Neosho 31
Big 8 cross-league matchups
Hollister @ Cassville — Cassville had Reeds Spring on the ropes for a little bit in the postseason last year but couldn't beat the better teams on its schedule. The Wildcats should be able to get this one. Cassville 28, Hollister 21
Logan-Rogersville @ East Newton — One of my favorite players to watch is Cameron Wray and I think he could be a breakout candidate in the Big 8 this year. Logan-Rogersville 34, East Newton 17
Marshfield @ Lamar — I power-ranked Lamar at No. 3 in my preseason rankings and I have a bad feeling the Tigers are going to make me regret that all season long. Lamar 38, Marshfield 13
Mount Vernon @ McDonald County — See above
Reeds Spring @ Monett — See above
Catholic @ Nevada — The Tigers still have Talan Chandler on their offensive line and he alone can win Nevada a few games this season. Just run it behind the big guy. Hoping to see some steps out of the Catholic program this season. Nevada 42, Catholic 14
Aurora @ Seneca — Seneca is my top team in the Ozarks heading into the year. I'm not backing off of that here. Seneca 45, Aurora 21
Southwest Conference
Diamond @ Ash Grove — The Pirates might be the top contender to knock off Marionville for the top spot in the Southwest this year. They will need this game to make it happen. Ash Grove 24, Diamond 17
Non-conference
Buffalo @ Ava — The Bears are going to turn it around this season after an injury-plagued year in 2022. Look for Hunter Adams to remind everyone what made him so special as a freshman. Ava 35, Buffalo 24
Central @ Clever — I have Central winning at least eight games this season. This is one of them. Central 38, Clever 14
Mountain Grove @ Fair Grove — The Panthers have a lot to replace this season while Fair Grove should be in a spot to take the next step after starting a bunch of young players last season. Fair Grove 34, Mountain Grove 27
El Dorado Springs @ Forsyth — The Panthers are ready to show that last year wasn't just about them taking advantage of a weak Mid-Lakes Conference to come out on top. Forsyth is a rising program. Forsyth 42, El Dorado Springs 28
Stockton @ Marionville — One of the games we'll have eyes on this week, the Comets should get a big game out of Hugh Eaton to continue their 18-game regular season winning streak. Marionville 34, Stockton 25
Lighthouse @ Pierce City — The Eagles are well past due for when they'll be among the best small-school teams in the area again. They showed bits of improvement last season. Pierce City 24, Lighthouse 17
Mountain View @ Strafford — I think Strafford can win the Mid-Lakes this year but Mountain View is a different animal for a Week 1 non-conference game. Mountain View 42, Strafford 24
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 predications: Week 1 picks
