SBLive Missouri Power 25 Week 6 High School Football Rankings: Three matchups of ranked teams on tap this week

By Chris Geinosky

Week 6 of the Missouri high school football season included plenty of action with games on Friday and Saturday.

There’s multiple matchups of ranked teams on the Week 7 slate, headlined by No. 4 St. Mary’s vs. No. 8 De Smet Jesuit. No. 6 Francis Howell will take on No. 21 Timberland. Southwest Missouri rivals prepare for a clash as No. 7 Carthage meets No. 20 Webb City.

• PREVIOUS RANKINGS: PRESEASON | WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3 | WEEK 4 | WEEK 5

SBLIVE MISSOURI POWER 25 FOOTBALL RANKINGS:

Oct. 4, 2022

1. Christian Brothers College (5-1)

Last week: 1

Next game: Oct. 7 at Vianney (0-6)

Ranking rationale: Winners of four straight, the Cadets appear to be hitting their stride heading into the final segment of the regular season. In those four victories, CBC has scored a combined 215 points (53.8 per game). Top-end college prospects Jeremiyah Love and Jeremiah McClellan receive much of the attention on offense and for good reason, but both Dylan Van and Ralph Dixon have had their share of highlights out of the backfield as well. CBC will look to keep it rolling this week in the team’s third straight road game – and final road game of the regular season – at winless Vianney.

2. Liberty North (6-0)

Last week: 2

Next game: Oct. 7 at Blue Springs South (4-2)

Ranking rationale: Throughout the course of this season, the Eagles’ defense has been recognized as one of the best in the state. And week after week, that fact is only further confirmed. Led by standout linebacker Melvin Laster, Liberty North has allowed a grand total of 59 points in six games (9.8 per contest), and consider that these numbers are without the benefit of a shutout. It’s worth noting that the offense is starting to come into its own as well, as the Eagles have scored at least 34 points in each of the past three games. Next up is Blue Springs South, which has been much improved this season.

3. Lee’s Summit North (5-1)

Last week: 3

Next game: Oct. 7 at Liberty (3-3)

Ranking rationale: Which team in the state of Missouri has shown the most week-to-week progress from the start of the season? It might be Lee’s Summit North. The Broncos have made steady improvement across the board in all areas, culminating in a 47-7 shellacking of previously ranked Raymore-Peculiar. After turning in such a dominating performance – on the road much less – North appears ready to live up to the preseason hype of a team looking to build on last year’s run to the Class 6 state semifinals.

4. St. Mary’s (5-1)

Last week: 4

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. De Smet (3-3)

Ranking rationale: The reigning state champion Dragons have met nearly every challenge this season, the exception of course a 21-20 Week 3 loss to out-of-state Neuqua Valley (Ill.). Their next test – and perhaps the toughest of the regular season – happens Friday night against No. 8 De Smet Jesuit in a high-profile, Top-10 battle. St. Mary’s, the top-rated Class 4 team in the state, steps up two divisions this week to take on the Class 6 Spartans. The Dragons have scored 40-plus points in each of their five victories this season.

5. Nixa (6-0)

Last week: 5

Next game: Oct. 7 at Willard (0-6)

Ranking rationale: A team that has scored nearly 300 points in six games (48.9 per contest), Nixa has showcased its offense throughout the season. However, the Eagles broke through with their best defensive effort of the year last week at Carl Junction, returning home with a 56-8 victory. If they can continue to get elite play on both sides of the football, it’s hard to imagine seeing a slip-up in the final three weeks of the regular season.

6. Francis Howell (6-0)

Last week: 6

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Timberland (5-1)

Ranking rationale: First-year starting quarterback Adam Shipley has started to come into his own after being eased into the position earlier this season. Shipley posted a career day in a 56-21 win Saturday afternoon at Fort Zumwalt West, throwing for 306 yards and five touchdowns and running for another score despite sitting out the entire second half with the running clock in affect. His offense scored 35 points in the second quarter alone and scored on seven of eight first-half possessions to open a 49-14 halftime lead.

7. Carthage (5-1)

Last week: 7

Next game: Oct. 7 at Webb City (4-2)

Ranking rationale: Last season, Carthage looked like it was on its way to a state championship, especially after blowing out powerhouse Webb City in the regular-season. However, the Tigers lost the rematch with Webb in the district championship round, and it was the Cardinals that went on to win the state title. How much has Carthage been thinking about a chance for revenge? We find out this week.

8. De Smet (3-3)

Last week: 8

Next game: Oct. 7 at St. Mary’s (St. Louis) (5-1)

Ranking rationale: The Spartans’ unbelievably tough regular-season schedule has been well documented. Are the weekly challenges taking a toll on the Spartans? Or are they making them battle tested? That answer will not be known until the postseason rolls around, but for now, the season rolls. Next up is defending state champion St. Mary’s.

9. Cardinal Ritter (6-0)

Last week: 10

Next game: Oct. 8 vs. Lift for Life Academy (5-1)

Ranking rationale: Last week Cardinal Ritter went on the road and put a 59-0 spanking on St. Francis Borgia, making the season totals look that much more impressive. The Lions have outscored their six opponents this season, 242-27. Yes, that’s not a typo. The Ritter has surrendered a mere 27 points the entire season, highlighted by three shutouts in six games.

10. Lebanon (6-0)

Last week: 11

Next game: Oct. 7 at West Plains (4-2)

Ranking rationale: The Yellowjackets knew their toughest segment of their schedule came in the final month of the regular season. They passed the first test with flying colors, shutting out Glendale 42-0 and completing a four-game sweep against Springfield’s largest schools (also including Parkview, Hillcrest and Kickapoo). The next challenge comes on the road at West Plains, a team that started 4-0 before stumbling the past two weeks.

Vote now: Who should be SBLive's Missouri High School Athlete of the Week (Sept. 26-Oct. 1)?

Ricky Dixon's four touchdowns fuel Lutheran North's Metro League win at MICDS

"X-factor" Chris Cotton leads De Smet past rival St. Louis University High

11. Kearney (6-0)

Last week: 13

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Raytown South (2-4)

Ranking rationale: In each of the past three seasons, the Bulldogs have finished exactly 5-5, but they have already clinched a better record that that in the first season under first-year head coach Logan Minnick. Kearney has clinched its first winning season since back-to-back 8-3 campaigns in 2017 and 2018 with more winnable games ahead.

12. Joplin (5-1)

Last week: 12

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Carl Junction (2-4)

Ranking rationale: Coming off their first loss of the season at Nixa, the Eagles bounced back with a quality performance against a Republic program that is closing the gap on the elite in southwest Missouri. Joplin continues to chug along and take care of business, but the final stretch of the regular season will not be an easy one with Carthage waiting in Week 8.

13. Smithville (5-1)

Last week: 15

Next game: Oct. 7 at Winnetonka (0-6)

Ranking rationale: Last season the Warriors put up impressive defensive numbers on the way to a state championship. They’re still up to their old tricks, limiting opponents to 53 points in six games. In fact, Smithville’s D has allowed only 1,008 total yards to opponents, which includes 453 yards rushing. It averages out to 75 yards per game and 2.5 yards per rush for the season.

14. Eureka (6-0)

Last week: 16

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Lafayette (Wildwood) (4-2)

Ranking rationale: All the Wildcats continue to do is win, while several teams in front of them slip up. The end result has Eureka shooting up the polls and knocking on the door of the top half of the Power 25. After defeating a one-loss Pattonville team on the road, the Wildcats return home for a game against Lafayette (Wildwood).

15. Troy Buchanan (4-2)

Last week: 22

Next game: Oct. 7 Francis Howell North (3-3)

Ranking rationale: The rollercoaster season for the Trojans continued last week when they turned in arguably their best performance of the season – a dominating 44-12 victory against previously undefeated Timberland. Troy Buchanan may be in position to build some momentum down the stretch.

16. Blair Oaks (6-0)

Last week: 18

Next game: Oct. 7 at Eldon (3-3)

Ranking rationale: Can anyone slow down the Falcons? Blair Oaks has scored 314 points this season, an average of 52.3 points per game. After recording a 65-6 win against Versailles last week, the Falcons have scored at least 50 points in five of six games this season.

17. MICDS (5-1)

Last week: 9

Next game: Oct. 8 vs. Lutheran South (3-3)

Ranking rationale: Through the first half of the season, no one had been able to even compete with the Rams. That was until Lutheran North handed them a surprising 34-18 loss on Saturday. MICDS will attempt to get back into the win column this week against Lutheran South in the final home game of the regular season.

18. Camdenton (6-0)

Last week: 21

Next game: Oct. 7 at Hillcrest (0-6)

Ranking rationale: Led by quarterback Bear Shore, the Lakers have been explosive on the offensive side of the football the past few seasons, but the difference this year has been a stronger defense. Camdenton is off to its best start since its last district championship seasons in 2018 and 2019.

19. Valle Catholic (6-0)

Last week: 19

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Ste. Genevieve (5-1)

Ranking rationale: Valle Catholic has been tested a few times this season when it has needed to close out games with strong second-half performances, and that’s exactly what happened last week against Park Hills Central. Up next for the Warriors is crosstown public school rival Ste. Genevieve.

20. Webb City (4-2)

Last week: 20

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Carthage (4-1)

Ranking rationale: A power running game has thrust the Cardinals in some high-scoring affairs the past couple weeks. They will need to tighten the screws defensively with rival Carthage coming to town on Friday. This game will go a long way in determining district seeds.

21. Timberland (5-1)

Last week: 17

Next game: Oct. 7 at Francis Howell (6-0)

Ranking rationale: Off to their best start since way back in 2008, the Wolves lost their first game of the season last week against Troy Buchanan. The schedule does not get any easier as Timberland will go on the road and meet Francis Howell this week.

22. Holt (5-1)

Last week: 25

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Fort Zumwalt East (1-5)

Ranking rationale: Since losing the season opener 34-20 to Troy Buchanan, the Indians have now rattled off five consecutive victories and now back among the discussions of the elite. Holt can extend the win streak to six this week before a big Week 8 game against Jackson.

23. Seneca (6-0)

Last week: 23

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. East Newton (0-6)

Ranking rationale: Seneca continues to pile up points in bunches, scoring at least five touchdowns in every game. After slapping 63 on Reeds Spring last week, the Indians have scored 305 this season, an average of better than 50 per game. They will add to those numbers this week against winless East Newton.

24. Lamar (5-1)

Last week: 24

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Nevada (5-1)

Ranking rationale: This week’s game could be a fun one between a pair of 5-1 teams. Then again, Lamar has won two games in a row by a combined score of 110-20 since suffering a loss to Seneca. The refocused Tigers have a chance to really prove something this week against a quality Class 4 team.

25. Lutheran North (4-2)

Last week: NR

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Maryville (4-2)

Ranking rationale: An upset of Class 5 MICDS has the Class 3 Crusaders in the Power 25 for the first time this season. Lutheran North has been a different team in recent weeks with running back Ricky Dixon back in the lineup after suffering early season losses to Blair Oaks and Francis Howell.