Crim: Electric offenses, stout defenses and unblemished records collide in district title game

South Shelby senior running back Kendal Hammond and the Cardinals will face Bowling Green for the Class 2 District 7 championship Friday night in Shelbina, Mo. | Photo courtesy Danielle VanDyke

SHELBINA, Mo. — It’s the game high school football fans in Northeast Missouri have been waiting for. Undefeated Bowling Green versus undefeated South Shelby. Two of the state’s most prolific scoring teams will collide Friday night at Charles Rash Memorial Field in the District 7 championship game for the right to advance in the Class…

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District football primer: Prepping for Friday night’s semifinal showdowns

Hannibal all-purpose back Aneyas Williams and the Pirates will face Wentzville Holt in Friday's Class 4 District 2 semifinals in Wentzville, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — Spots in district football championship games will be claimed Friday night in Missouri, potentially stepping up a showdown between state-ranked teams in Class 2. First, though, South Shelby and Bowling Green have to navigate district semifinal matchups with talented foes. Here’s a look at what to watch for Friday night: Hannibal (9-1) at…

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Crim: Youthful Palmyra squad makes strides to build foundation for future success

First-year Palmyra football coach Dalton Hill has helped the Panthers lay the foundation for future success. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMRYA, Mo. — Even as his team was closing out the high school football regular season with a loss to undefeated and state-ranked South Shelby, first-year Palmyra coach Dalton Hill saw things that made him hopeful. “I was proud of our guys in the first quarter, the first quarter and a half, when we held…

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Missouri state football rankings: Monroe City back in top 10 in Class 2, others maintain spots

The Monroe City football team is ranked 10th in Class 2 heading into the district tournament. | Photo courtesy Paul R. Evans

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 9-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parentheses. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star Journal; Tommy Rezac, KFEQ St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley,…

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Game night guide: Illinois teams make final playoff push, Missouri squads look for momentum

Illini West running back Ian Bentzinger, right, and the Chargers will look to snare their fifth victory of the season and a playoff berth with it by beating Moweaqua Central A&M on Friday night. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Some of the postseason drama that comes with Week 9 has been eliminated already, although a couple of Illinois prep football teams need victories to enhance their postseason prospects. Here is a look at what’s on tap this week: Mahomet-Seymour (7-1) at Quincy High School (8-0), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM •…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Pirates move up one spot to No. 5, Cardinals remain No. 7

Hannibal all-purpose back Aneyas Williams and the Pirates are No. 5 in the Class 4 state poll heading into the regular-season finale at Columbia (Mo.) Battle. | Mathew Kirby photo

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 9-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star Journal; Tommy Rezac, KFEQ St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley,…

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Crim: Cardinals maintain focus on big picture with chance to make history in front of them

South Shelby's Cameron Wiseman picks up yardage during the first half of Friday night's Clarence Cannon Conference victory over Centralia in Shelbina, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mark Requet, Shelby County Herald

SHELBINA, Mo. — If one play could summarize the South Shelby football team’s season, it might be Kendal Hammond’s 10-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter of Friday night’s 48-14 dismantling of previously undefeated Centralia. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior took the handoff, veered off right tackle and cut toward the end zone with a…

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Game night guide: Conference titles, playoff positioning raise stakes for Week 8

Unity-Payson quarterback Sawyer Allen and the Mustangs will become eligible for the playoffs with a victory this week against Pleasant Hill. | Photo courtesy Sarah Donley Photography

QUINCY — Conference championships. Playoff qualifiers. District seeding. Week 8’s importance is at a high level across the board for Illinois and Missouri prep football teams. Here is a look at this weekend’s slate: Friday’s games Geneseo (6-1, 3-1 WB6) at Quincy High School (7-0, 5-0 WB6), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM • WGEM…

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Missouri state football rankings: Area teams hold steady heading into Week 8

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 9-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star Journal; Tommy Rezac, KFEQ St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley,…

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Game Night Guide: Kickoff times, radio and livestream links for Week 7 of prep football

Hannibal's Carter Reed and the Pirates travel to Moberly for a battle of state-ranked teams in the North Central Missouri Conference. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — Week 7 of the prep football season will help determine which teams play for conference championships and which teams keep their postseason hopes alive. Here is a look at the weekend slate: Friday’s games Quincy High School (6-0) at Sterling (4-2), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM • NFHS Network Did you know?:…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Pirates, Cardinals maintain positions in respective classes

Hannibal’s Aaron Daughtery, left, and Mike Ferreira celebrate a touchdown during last Friday’s North Central Missouri Conference victory over Kirksville at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 9-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star Journal; Tommy Rezac, KFEQ St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley,…

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Game night guide: Week 6 of prep football season is make or break for several teams

Gavin Doellman and the Quincy Notre Dame football team will put their playoff hopes on the line against Columbia (Mo.) Father Tolton on Friday night at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The high school football season has moved past the midway point and teams are finding themselves on the edge of the playoff picture. Some can keep their hopes alive with victories Friday night, while others could see those postseason dreams dashed. Here is the lineup: Friday’s games Galesburg (1-4) at Quincy High School…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Hannibal, South Shelby hold strong, Monroe City drops out of poll

The Hannibal football team takes the field before its game against Fulton on Sept. 16 at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 9-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star Journal; Tommy Rezac, KFEQ St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley,…

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Game Night Guide: Diving into this weekend’s high school football schedule

Macomb junior quarterback Braden Holthaus set the Bombers' single-game passing record last week with 339i yards passing in a 40-30 victory over West Hancock. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Here is a look at this weekend’s prep football slate: Friday’s games Quincy High School (4-0) at United Township (1-3), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM • QCSportsNet.com Did you know?: The Blue Devils have won 19 consecutive meetings with the Panthers, starting with a 35-27 victory in Week 6 of the 2003…

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Missouri state football rankings: South Shelby moves to No. 7 in Class 2, Hannibal holds steady

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 9-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star Journal; Tommy Rezac, KFEQ St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley,…

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Monroe City’s state title pursuit ends with semifinal loss to Adrian

Monroe City football coach David Kirby addresses his team following Saturday's 32-16 loss to Adrian in the Class 1 state semifinals. | Photo courtesy Zach Richardson, KHQA

ADRIAN, Mo. — Even in the wake of a hurts-down-to-your-soul kind of loss, Monroe City football coach David Kirby needed the Panthers to remember one valuable thing. “I said this all year long,” Kirby said. “We are not victims. We are victors. You make sure you hold your head high through anything.” After losing 32-16…

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Cougars see offense come to life to pull off district upset of Tigers

CENTER, Mo. — First-year Highland football coach Caleb Arnsman reminded the Cougars the records get washed away in the postseason and the season starts anew. A fresh approach led to remarkable results. Sixth-seeded Highland opened Class 1 District 6 play Friday night by upsetting third-seeded Mark Twain 32-16 to earn a shot at second-seeded South…

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Missouri prep football state rankings: Monroe City sits atop Class 1, Hannibal at

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star Journal; Tommy Rezac, KFEQ St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; JC Reeves, Southeast…

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Missouri state football rankings: Monroe City tied for first in Class 1, Bowling Green climbing in Class 2

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 11-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star Journal; Tommy Rezac, KFEQ St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley, KRES…

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Missouri state football rankings: Monroe City sits at No. 2 in Class 1, Hannibal at No. 10 in Class 4

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Tommy Rezac, KFEQ St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio;…

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Buoyed by staff and administrative support, Mark Twain’s Leake resigns to become college coach

Mark Twain football coach Austin Leake, left, leads his captains onto the field for the coin toss before a game last fall. | Submitted photo

CENTER, Mo. — Austin Leake understood the opportunity to chase his dream of coaching football at the college level came at a rather inopportune time. He wasn’t going to pursue it if anyone within his family, the Mark Twain coaching staff or the Mark Twain administration had serious reservations. The gentle nudge from their overriding…

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Show-Me Spotlight: Highland’s Mallett runs full speed into every season

Highland senior Drew Mallett shoots during the Cougars’ semifinal matchup of the 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational game against Hannibal in Palmyra, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

The Show-Me Spotlight will appear each week to highlight a Missouri area student-athlete. EWING, Mo. — If you were to line up the fastest of the fast — there are a few Highland boys who qualify for such a distinction — who ends up winning? Drew Mallett has a pretty good idea. “Well, I would…

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Pirates overwhelm Jays in district championship, roll into state quarterfinals

Hannibal quarterback Courtland Watson scores a touchdown during the Pirates' Class 4 District 5 championship game against the Jefferson City Jays on Friday night at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — On the surface, the Hannibal football team’s 47-0 victory over Jefferson City would seem to indicate a rather lopsided verdict. And it was exactly that — and more. So very much more. Hannibal’s quicksilver-like offense, coupled with a defense that is often suffocating, were both monopolizing from the outset. The Pirates left…

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Scoreboard for Friday, October 22

Prep Football At Hardin, Ill. Central 56, Calhoun 21: Tied at 14 at halftime, the state-ranked Panthers overwhelmed the Warriors in the third quarter and ran away with the victory. Sterling Stotts scored on a 1-yard run and a 12-yard run on the first two possessions of the second half, while defensive lineman Keaton Dickhut…

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Panthers bring Clarence Cannon Conference championship home

The Monroe City football team celebrates winning the Clarence Cannon Conference championship following a 54-20 victory over Highland on Friday night. Submitted photo

EWING, Mo. — The Monroe City football team is bringing another title back to titletown. The Panthers raced out to a 32-0 lead and dispatched Highland 54-20 to win the Clarence Cannon Conference championship and lock up a No. 1 district seed. For all the explosive offensive plays on display, it was a defensive stop…

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Game Night Guide: Week 9 of prep football

Friday’s Schedule Quincy High School (4-4) at Rock Island (5-3), 7:30 p.m. • WGEM 1440 AM, 98.9 FM Quincy Notre Dame (5-3) at Alton Marquette (0-8), 7:30 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM Hannibal (8-0) at Columbia Battle (4-3), 7 p.m. • KICK 97.9 FM Central (7-1) at Calhoun (2-6), 7 p.m. • Central Illinois Sports…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Hannibal stays No. 3, Monroe City holds at No. 6

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King,…

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Game Night Guide: Week 8 of prep football

Friday’s Schedule Rock Island Alleman (0-7) at Quincy High School (3-4), 7:30 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM Granite City (0-7) at Quincy Notre Dame (4-3), 7 p.m. • WGEM 1440 AM, 98.9 FM Marshall (2-5) at Hannibal (7-0), 7 p.m. • KICK 97.9 FM Brown County (5-2) at Greenfield-Northwestern (5-2), 7 p.m. • NFHS Network…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Pirates continue holding steady at No. 3

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King,…

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Game Night Guide: Week 7 of prep football

Friday’s Schedule Geneseo (3-3) at Quincy High School (2-4), 7:30 p.m. • WGEM 1440 AM, 98.9 FM Lutheran St. Charles (4-2) at Quincy Notre Dame (4-2), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM Hannibal (6-0) at Moberly (2-4), 7 p.m. • KICK 97.9 FM Beardstown (3-3) at Central (5-1), 7 p.m. • Central Illinois Sports on…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Pirates climb to No. 3, Panthers fall to No. 7

Hannibal running back Tyler Hardy breaks through the Kirksville defense for a long touchdown run during last Friday's game at Porter Stadium. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King,…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Pirates, Panthers continue to hold firm near top

Hannibal’s Trenton Cowden, left, tackles Fulton’s Tyeion Logan for a loss during last Friday's game at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King,…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Hannibal, Monroe City hold steady near top

Tyler Hardy and the Hannibal football team remain No. 4 in the Class 4 state football poll with a 3-0 record. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King,…

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Saturday Rewind: Cougars’ defense stands stout in shutting out Indians in CCC opener

Highland quarterback Drew Mallett, left, rolls out during Friday's game against Clark County in Kahoka, Mo. Photo courtesy Brenda Mallett

EWING, Mo. — Cameron Bringer’s goal seemed ambitious. Maybe it’s not. The Highland senior defensive back intercepted a pass in Friday night’s 36-0 victory over Clark County, giving him four interceptions in the Cougars’ first three games. It keeps him on pace to meet his goal of an interception in every game this season. “We…

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Scoreboard for Friday, September 10

Prep Football Moline 48, Quincy 35 Quincy Notre Dame 49, Marceline 7 Hannibal 56, Fort Zumwalt West 35 Central 42, Unity-Payson 34 Brown County 14, Triopia 9 Pittsfield 31, Auburn 24 Carrollton 55, Pleasant Hill 14 Monroe City 48, South Shelby 8 Palmyra 40, Macon 21 Highland 38, Clark County 0 Mark Twain 54, Van-Far…

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Game Night Guide: Week 3 of prep football

Friday’s Schedule Moline (1-1) at Quincy High School (1-1), 7 p.m. • WGEM 1440 AM, 98.9 FM • NFHS Network Marceline (2-0) at Quincy Notre Dame (2-0), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM • QND Athletics on YouTube Hannibal (2-0) at Fort Zumwalt West (1-1), 7 p.m. • KICK 97.9 FM Central (2-0) at Unity-Payson…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Hannibal, Monroe City represent area

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King,…

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Game Night Guide: Week 2 of prep football

Friday’s Schedule Rock Island Alleman at Quincy Notre Dame, 7 p.m. • WGEM 1440 AM, 98.9 FM Quincy High School at Alton, 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM Jefferson City at Hannibal, 7 p.m. • KHMO 1070 AM Central at Pleasant Hill, 7 p.m. • Central Illinois Sports on YouTube Calhoun at Unity-Payson, 7 p.m.…

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State football rankings: Hannibal sits No. 4 in Class 4, Monroe City is second in Class 1

Hannibal’s Rommel Pinner, left, and Trenton Cowden, right, drop Helias quarterback Drew Miller for a loss during the Pirates' season opener last Friday at Ray Hentges Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 15-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Class 6 Rank, team Rec Pts. LW 1. De Smet (5) 1-0 95 — 2. Raymore-Peculiar (5) 1-0 92 — 3. CBC 0-1 74 — 4. Joplin 1-0 54 — 5. Liberty North 0-1 53 —…

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Game Night Guide: Week 1 of prep football

Friday’s schedule Quincy Notre Dame at Quincy High School, 7 p.m. WTAD 930 AM, WGEM 1440 AM, WGEM TV Hannibal at Jefferson City Helias, 7 p.m. KICK 97.9 FM Carrollton at Central, 7 p.m. Central Illinois Sports on YouTube.com Pittsfield at Pleasant Plains, 7 p.m. Central Illinois Sports on YouTube.com Hallsville at Palmyra, 7 p.m.…

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