SBLive Missouri Power 25 Week 8 High School Football Rankings: Undefeated Kearney jumps into Top 10

By Chris Geinosky

Week 8 of the Missouri high school football season included plenty of action.

Six of last week’s Top 25 suffered losses, including three Top 10 squads. Nixa and Lebanon fall from the ranks of the unbeatens.

Eureka jumps back into the rankings after a one-week absence. Long win streaks land Kickapoo and Seckman in the Power 25 for the first time ever.

Teams across the state look to solidify their positions for districts. There’s only one ranked matchup on the slate this week: No. 5 Francis Howell vs. No. 20 Rock Bridge. 

• PREVIOUS RANKINGS: PRESEASON | WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3 | WEEK 4 | WEEK 5 | WEEK 6 | WEEK 7

SBLIVE MISSOURI POWER 25 FOOTBALL RANKINGS:

Oct. 17, 2022

1. Christian Brothers College (7-1)

Last week: 1

Next game: Oct. 21 vs. Edwardsville (Ill.) (6-2)

Ranking rationale: CBC has already wrapped up the Metro Catholic Conference title for the second season in a row and the 11th time in the past 13 years. The Cadets owned the league title for nine consecutive years from 2010 to 2018. With another conference crown in hand, the Cadets now shift their focus to a non-conference, out-of-state matchup with Edwardsville (Ill.), a team ranked in the Illinois Class 8A state polls that played powerhouse East St. Louis (Ill.) tough in a 26-7 loss last week. It’s worth noting that CBC finds itself in a three-way battle with fellow one-loss teams Marquette and Seckman for the top seed – and home field advantage – for the Class 6 District 1 tournament.

2. Liberty North (8-0)

Last week: 2

Next game: Oct. 21 vs. Lee’s Summit West (2-6)

Ranking rationale: Sam Van Dyne entered the season as one of the top college quarterback prospects in the state, and he has played outstanding all year long. Liberty North is the last remaining undefeated Class 6 team in the state, and Van Dyne’s play has been a big reason why – namely his zero turnovers for the season. Yes, you read that right. Van Dyne has not turned the ball over once all season. The Eagles as a team have committed one turnover (one fumble) in eight games, which has led to an impressive plus-11 turnover margin year to date. North has already clinched the No. 1 seed in the Class 6 District 4 bracket.

3. Lee’s Summit North (7-1)

Last week: 4

Next game: Oct. 21 vs. Park Hill (2-6)

Ranking rationale: It was pointed out a few weeks ago that it’s possible that no team in the state of Missouri has improved more throughout the course of the season than Lee’s Summit North. The Broncos have done nothing to change that opinion lately. The Lee’s Summit North defense has taken its game to the next level in recent weeks, allowing a total of 13 points (and only one touchdown) in the past three games. However, that defense will be tested this week when standout dual-threat quarterback Kendrick Bell and a high-scoring Park Hill offense comes to town for the regular-season finale.

4. St. Mary’s (6-2)

Last week: 3

Next game: Oct. 21 at Lutheran North (5-3)

Ranking rationale: For the past few weeks, St Mary’s and Lee’s Summit North have flipped back and forth in the No. 3 and 4 spots in the SBLive Power 25, and it happens once again. The Dragons have been completely unstoppable against six Missouri teams this season, but they have suffered both of their losses in road games against out-of-state opponents – at Neuqua Valley (Ill.) in Week 3 and at Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) last week. St. Mary’s will face only in-state competition the remainder of the season, starting with a road game at Lutheran North to close out the regular season.

5. Francis Howell (8-0)

Last week: 6

Next game: Oct. 21 vs. No. 20 Rock Bridge (7-1)

Ranking rationale: The Vikings have marched through the first two months of the high school football season in impressive fashion. Howell’s offense has been constantly praised for its consistency, scoring at least five touchdowns in every game this fall, but it went to a new level last week by putting a season-high 63 points on the scoreboard. With the No. 1 seed in the Class 5 District 3 tournament already clinched, the Vikings have only one big thing to play for this week against Class 6 surprise Rock Bridge – finish the regular season undefeated.

6. Carthage (7-1)

Last week: 7

Next game: Oct. 21 at Willard (0-8)

Ranking rationale: When the Tigers lost to Nixa back in Week 3, it appeared they might be eliminated from the Central Ozark Conference championship race. That was then. Carthage has ripped off a five-game win streak with only a matchup against winless Willard remaining on the regular season slate. The Tigers have already clinched the top seed in the Class 5 District 6 tournament.

7. Cardinal Ritter (8-0)

Last week: 8

Next game: Oct. 21 vs. St. Louis University High (3-5)

Ranking rationale: In a season full of impressive performances, Cardinal Ritter may have turned in its best last week. A team that looks like one of the most dangerous in Class 3 this year, the Lions stepped up to play Class 4 Hillsboro last week and came out on top in the battle of undefeated teams, 26-13. Ritter will dial it up another notch this week against Class 6 St. Louis University High.

8. Kearney (8-0)

Last week: 11

Next game: Oct. 21 at Belton (3-5)

Ranking rationale: When the Bulldogs held on to defeat neighboring rival Smithville back in Week 3, it looked like they might have a chance to run the table. One game stands in the way of making that a reality. Kearney, which has won its past five games by an average score of 54-7, will attempt to complete a perfect regular season this week at Belton.

9. Camdenton (8-0)

Last week: 14

Next game: Oct. 21 vs. Glendale (8-0)

Ranking rationale: No team has risen up the SBLive Power 25 more than Camdenton in the second half of the season. The Lakers crack the Top 10 thanks to last week’s monumental victory against rival Lebanon where they held a Yellowjackets team that was averaging better than 48 points and 400 yards rushing per game to a season-low 28 points.

10. Nixa (7-1)

Last week: 5

Next game: Oct. 21 at Ozark (2-6)

Ranking rationale: Twice this season the Eagles have played a game where a two-point conversion on the final play of the contest decided the outcome. Nixa won in that fashion in Week 3 at Carthage (22-21) but came out on the short end in overtime last week at home against Republic (36-35). The Eagles have no room for error this week with the Class 6 District 3 top seed up for grabs.

Vote now: Who should be SBLive's Missouri High School Athlete of the Week (Oct. 10-15)?

CBC runs wild in win over visiting Warren Central

Photos: Rock Bridge routs Hickman for seventh straight victory

Photos: Kickapoo beats Glendale 22-2 in Springfield football showdown

11. Smithville (7-1)

Last week: 12

Next game: Oct. 21 vs. Grandview (5-3)

Ranking rationale: Much like Kearney, the Warriors have rolled since Week 3. Smithville has won five consecutive games, all in convincing fashion. In fact, last week’s 35-7 win against Pittsburg (Kan.) was the closest game recently by a bunch. The reigning Class 4 state champions close out the regular season at home against Grandview.

12. Troy Buchanan (6-2)

Last week: 13

Next game: Oct. 21 at Liberty (Wentzville) (3-5)

Ranking rationale: A team that has struggled to find consistency most of the season, the Trojans finally appear to be hitting their stride. Troy has won five of its last six games, and the last three have been impressive. One more win this week against Liberty (Wentzville) could have the Trojans in position to grab the top seed in the Class 6 District 2 tourney.

13. Joplin (6-2)

Last week: 11

Next game: Oct. 21 vs. Neosho (4-4)

Ranking rationale: Last week’s heartbreaking loss at Carthage stings, but then again, Joplin proved that it can play with the best in the state – and do it on the road. This only verifies that the Eagles will be a dangerous team in Class 6 District 3 play, as long as they can reestablish some momentum in the regular-season finale against Neosho.

14. Blair Oaks (8-0)

Last week: 15

Next game: Oct. 21 at Southern Boone (4-4)

Ranking rationale: As spectacular as the Falcons have been this season, they still have work to do to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Class 2 District 2 bracket. A road victory at Southern Boone in the regular season finale would lock up a first-round bye and home-field advantage for small-class powerhouse Blair Oaks in district play.

15. Lebanon (7-1)

Last week: 9

Next game: Oct. 21 vs. Rolla (4-4)

Ranking rationale: In the opening month and a half of the season, no team in the state looked more dominant than Lebanon. However, the Yellowjackets have shown a few chinks in the armor in the past two weeks, giving up 87 points (45-42 win at West Plains in Week 7 and 45-28 loss at Camdenton in Week 8). They will try to right the ship this week against Rolla before district play begins.

16. Valle Catholic (8-0)

Last week: 17

Next game: Oct. 21 at Kennett (6-2)

Ranking rationale: When the Warriors piled up 49 points in last week’s blowout of Vianney, it continued their run of scoring at least 40 points in every game this season. Valle Catholic also hit that 40-point plateau 10 times in 11 games last year, the only exception coming against eventual state champ St. Mary’s in the postseason.

17. Holt (7-1)

Last week: 18

Next game: Oct. 21 at Timberland (6-2)

Ranking rationale: Two months ago the Indians lost their season opener against Troy Buchanan, but it’s been all victories since then. Last year’s Class 5 state runner-up has reeled off seven consecutive victories behind the play of quarterback Owen Merrill, who had a career night with five touchdowns in last week’s win against Jackson.

18. MICDS (7-1)

Last week: 16

Next game: Oct. 21 at Duchesne (5-3)

Ranking rationale: With the exception of a Week 6 hiccup against Lutheran North, the Rams have looked nearly unstoppable this fall. MICDS closes out the regular season with a road game at Duchesne and then will prepare for a new challenge in the postseason as it moved up to the Class 5 level this year.

19. De Smet (4-4)

Last week: 19

Next game: Oct. 21 vs. East St. Louis (Ill.) (5-2)

Ranking rationale: De Smet has played the toughest schedule in the state of Missouri this year, so it only seems appropriate to end the regular season with one more challenge: perennial powerhouse East St. Louis (Ill.), the top-ranked team in Illinois. It’s not out of the question that the Spartans head into the postseason with a losing record, but they will be battle tested.

20. Rock Bridge (7-1)

Last week: 24

Next game: Oct. 21 at No. 5 Francis Howell (8-0)

Ranking rationale: A team that won only four games last season, the Bruins have enjoyed quite the turnaround season. Rock Bridge has won seven games in a row and currently sits on top of the Class 6 District 2 standings, but the biggest challenge of the season is set for this week at undefeated Francis Howell.

21. Seneca (8-0)

Last week: 21

Next game: Oct. 21 vs. Nevada (6-2)

Ranking rationale: Despite not turning in their best effort of the season, the Indians were able to hold off McDonald County, 28-21, last week and remain undefeated. Seneca might need to finish the regular season perfect in order to hang on to the No. 1 seed in the Class 2 District 4 tournament.

22. Lamar (7-1)

Last week: 22

Next game: Oct. 21 at Hollister (3-5)

Ranking rationale: Aside from the Week 4 loss to Seneca (36-33), the Tigers have been their usual dominant selves throughout the course of the season. Lamar has already clinched the top spot in the Class 2 District 5 bracket and will be a heavy favorite to advance back to the playoffs.

23. Eureka (7-1)

Last week: NR

Next game: Oct. 21 at Hazelwood Central (3-5)

Ranking rationale: A Week 7 upset loss against Lafayette (Wildwood) knocked the Wildcats out of the Power 25, but they’re back in one week later. Running back Kevin Emmanuel has rushed for 1,796 yards and 24 touchdowns and will add to those numbers this week against Hazelwood Central.

24. Kickapoo (6-2)

Last week: NR

Next game: Oct. 21 at Bolivar (3-5)

Ranking rationale: Look out but the Chiefs have won six straight games, and they have done it with a defense that has not allowed a single passing touchdown the entire season. Kickapoo nearly beat still-undefeated Camdenton (24-21) in Week 2, and the other loss came the following week at Lebanon (31-10).

25. Seckman (7-1)

Last week: NR

Next game: Oct. 21 vs. Webster Groves (1-6)

Ranking rationale: Seckman finds itself in the midst of the most successful season in program history. Rushing quarterback Cole Ruble has been sensational, racking up 1,758 yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground. The Jaguars have won seven straight games since losing to Valle Catholic in the opener. 

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