Missouri High School Football: Semifinal & Championship Predictions

Photo Credit: Max Preps

High school football in Missouri is officially down to the wire, and with only the semifinals and championship games left across all six classes, it’s time to break down how I see each matchup playing out. Every class has its own style, strengths, and late-season momentum, and these last two weeks are where it all comes together.

Before we dive in, one quick confession: I did not include predictions for 8-Man football. I’m sorry, 8-Man fans—I promise it’s not personal. I just don’t know enough about it to speak on it without sounding like a fraud.

Let’s get into the picks.

Class 1

Hayti vs Putnam County

• @ Hayti, 1:00 PM, 11/29

  Putnam County enters this matchup boasting three different rushers who all eclipsed 1,000 yards and averaged over 90 rushing yards per game. They’re undefeated for a reason, piling up one of the highest point differentials in Missouri across any class. Hayti, on the other hand, comes into this game after going 4–5 in the regular season and has allowed over four times as many points as Putnam County this season. This is a tough draw for them, especially against a team that controls the line of scrimmage the way Putnam does. Expect Putnam County to lean into its identity, run wild for well over 300 rushing yards, and cruise to a 48–20 win.

Tipton vs West Platte

• @ Tipton, 1:00 PM, 11/29

  Tipton comes into this matchup as the top-ranked team in Class 1 after an impressive 11–1 season, and they’re riding high after taking down No. 2 Thayer. Their offense can light up a scoreboard, but it’s their defense that sets them apart, allowing just 118 points all year. West Platte earned their spot by knocking off No. 9 Adrian—who was aiming for back-to-back titles—and did it in dominant fashion with a 34–7 win. But despite that momentum, they don’t have the firepower or defensive consistency to keep pace with Tipton over four quarters. Tipton’s balance and toughness should take over early, leading to a comfortable 38–17 victory.

Championship Game:

• Putnam County vs Tipton

  The Class 1 title game between Putnam County and Tipton sets up as a true heavyweight matchup, with both teams bringing complementary strengths to the table. Tipton holds a slight advantage on offense, while Putnam County’s defense has been the steadier unit all season. Tipton’s semifinal against West Platte should push them more than Putnam County’s matchup with Hayti, and that extra strain could matter late. Meanwhile, Putnam County’s ability to chew up clock with their three-headed rushing attack gives them a strategic edge in a game where possessions will be precious. It should be tight from start to finish, but Putnam County’s control of tempo gives them the slightest edge to bring home the Class 1 State Title, 21–17.

Class 2

St. Pius X (Festus) vs Monroe City

• St. Pius X, 1:00 PM, 11/29

  St. Pius X leans heavily on its ground game, averaging an impressive 243 rushing yards per contest behind junior standout Cody Shaver. They’ve proven they can hang with top competition—keeping things far closer against Valle Catholic than Monroe City did—but Monroe City enters this matchup as the No. 2–ranked team in Class 2 for a reason. They’re fresh off a strong win against a tough Mid-Buchanan squad and remain the only team to beat Centralia in the regular season. As much as I’d love to lean into my bias and take St. Pius X, Monroe City’s offense has put up more than 100 additional points this season, and that firepower is a real concern for a Pius defense that has shown cracks. The only path for St. Pius X is to turn this into a shootout, but I think they fall just short. I’m taking Monroe City in a high-scoring 42–31 victory.

Liberty (Mountain View) vs Blair Oaks

• @ Mountain View, 1:00 PM, 11/29

  Blair Oaks looks every bit like a defending state champion, rolling into this matchup with a massive +554 point differential and a résumé stacked with quality wins over teams like Osage, Boonville, and 10–1 Centralia. Their defense has been lights-out all year, giving up double digits in only three of twelve games and allowing a combined 15 points across their three playoff matchups. Liberty, however, is no easy draw. They’ve beaten three teams ranked inside the top 20, played Class 1 No. 2–ranked Thayer to a one-score finish, and are fresh off a statement win over Class 2 powerhouse Lamar. Their tougher schedule and recent surge make this matchup far more competitive than people might expect. Liberty should absolutely hang around, but with Blair Oaks’ championship experience and defensive dominance, I’m giving the Falcons the edge, 28–20.

Championship Game:

• Monroe City vs Blair Oaks

  A Monroe City vs. Blair Oaks championship showdown would pit the top two ranked teams in Class 2 against each other, but the numbers suggest there’s a clear separation between them. Blair Oaks has allowed exactly 100 fewer points than Monroe City this season and has nearly a 100-point edge on the offensive side as well. They’ve been more dominant, more consistent, and more explosive on both sides of the ball from start to finish. Monroe City is tough enough to hang for stretches, but Blair Oaks’ overall firepower and defensive discipline give them a strong path to repeating as champs. I like Blair Oaks to go back-to-back with a decisive 44–26 win.

Class 3

Lift for Life vs St. Michael the Archangel

• @ Lee’s Summit North, 1:00 PM, 11/29

  Lift for Life leans heavily on senior quarterback Phoenix Isaiah, who sits second in the entire state with nearly 3,000 passing yards. They’ve been battle-tested all season and are coming off impressive, gritty wins over Valle Catholic and Dexter. St. Michael the Archangel, meanwhile, brings a more balanced offensive attack and has notched quality wins of their own against Boonville and Maryville. What really stands out is their ball security—they’ve forced twice as many turnovers as they’ve given away. That advantage could loom large against a Lift for Life team that will be forced to put the ball in the air often, creating more long third downs and turnover chances. I’m taking St. Michael the Archangel to pull off the upset in a razor-tight battle, 27–23.

St. Clair vs Seneca

• @ Seneca, 1:00 PM, 11/29

  St. Clair has already exceeded expectations with their dominant win over Osage, but it’s worth noting they had just two regular-season victories over teams with winning records. Seneca, meanwhile, comes in as the No. 1–ranked team in Class 3 at 11–1 and has the résumé to back it up. They’ve taken down No. 4 Mountain Grove, beaten No. 7 Cassville twice, and their only loss was a one-point thriller against Lamar—last year’s state runner-up. This is a tough matchup for St. Clair, and while they’ve had a strong postseason run, Seneca’s firepower and consistency put them on another level. I’m taking Seneca to roll at home, 48–27.

Championship Game:

• St. Michael the Archangel vs Seneca

  A St. Michael the Archangel vs. Seneca championship would come with all the stakes you’d expect—but honestly, with all due respect, it has the makings of the most lopsided title game of the weekend. This matchup is Seneca’s to lose. They’re the better team across the board, they’ve faced the tougher schedule, and they bring a level of consistency and firepower that St. Michael simply won’t be able to match for four quarters. From start to finish, Seneca should control the tempo, the physicality, and the scoreboard. I’m taking Seneca to dominate and cap their season with a 56–30 win.

Class 4

Festus vs Kearney

• @ Festus, 1:00 PM, 11/29

  Festus enters this matchup with the confidence of a program that finished as last year’s state runner-up and backed it up with another dominant season against one of the toughest schedules in Class 4. They’ve battled ranked opponents nearly every week, picked up a strong win over Farmington, and they get this semifinal showdown on their home field—a place they’ve proven they can play with anyone. But Kearney is a different kind of test. The Bulldogs are the top-ranked team in Class 4 and boast a stifling defense that hasn’t allowed more than 20 points in a single game all year. They’re also ranked No. 9 in the entire state regardless of class, and their undefeated record is built on one blowout win after another. It’s a long drive to Festus, but I expect it to be a happy one on the way back. I’m taking Kearney to win 41–23.

St. Mary’s South Side vs Hannibal

• @ Missouri Baptist University, 1:00 PM, 11/29

  St. Mary’s South Side has put together a playoff run that’s been far more impressive than their regular season, where they managed just two wins over teams with winning records. Their struggles in the passing game and a limited pass rush—often giving opposing quarterbacks too much time—leave real concerns heading into this matchup. Both teams faced Lutheran, but Hannibal handled them far more convincingly, winning by 23 more points. Defensively, Hannibal has been vastly stronger, allowing over 100 fewer points on the year, and their only losses came in tight three-point games against quality opponents in Helias Catholic and Fort Zumwalt West. With those advantages across the board, Hannibal should control the pace early and never look back, cruising to a 34–13 win.

Championship Game:

• Kearney vs Hannibal

  A Kearney vs. Hannibal championship would be one of the most evenly matched games in the entire state, with both teams built on physicality, discipline, and tough, defense-first football. These programs mirror each other in so many ways that finding a clear edge is tough, and this one would likely come down to just a handful of key plays. But if there’s one unit capable of tilting the field, it’s Kearney’s defense. They’ve been the most consistent, stingy group between the two, and in a game where every yard is earned, that matters. I’ll give the slight edge to Kearney, who I believe would come out on top in a hard-fought 28–21 win.

Class 5

Kirkwood vs Platte County

• @ Kirkwood, 1:00 PM, 11/29

  Kirkwood rolls into this matchup with one of the strongest résumés in Class 5, boasting impressive wins over Fort Zumwalt West, Pattonville (a Class 6 semifinalist), and Eureka—twice. They’re coming off a 70-point explosion against Farmington and sit inside the top 10 statewide regardless of class. Platte County, meanwhile, is the reigning state champion and the current No. 1 team in Class 5, ranked fifth overall in Missouri. They haven’t lost since November 10, 2023, but their schedule hasn’t been nearly as tough as Kirkwood’s, making this easily their biggest test of the season. Even so, Platte County has consistently shown why they’re considered one of the best programs in the state. They should survive a tough, physical fight and edge out Kirkwood in a tight one, 27–23.

Cardinal Ritter vs Carthage

• @ Carthage, 1:00 PM, 11/29

  Cardinal Ritter may have opened the season with a tight loss to Jackson, but everything since then has looked like a championship-caliber run. They dominated Francis Howell 50–0, steamrolled through the rest of their schedule, and haven’t won a playoff game by fewer than 25 points. Carthage comes in with a lighter overall schedule but has shown real progress, keeping things respectable against a strong Nixa team and improving in their rematch with Republic by beating them more decisively in the postseason. Their defense has been sharp lately too, holding opponents to 17 points or fewer in five straight games. Still, Ritter has been the more battle-tested, physical, and well-rounded team all year. Even on the road, I like Cardinal Ritter to grind out a tough 30–23 win.

Championship Game:

• Platte County vs Cardinal Ritter

  A Platte County vs. Cardinal Ritter championship would be a great matchup on paper, but I still believe the true title-deciding battle happens one round earlier. The Kirkwood–Platte County winner looks positioned as the real powerhouse of Class 5, and while Ritter is better than Carthage and absolutely deserving of a spot in the final, they’d face a steep climb against either of those top-tier teams. Ritter’s talent and toughness would keep them competitive, but Platte County’s experience, balance, and ability to rise in big moments give them the edge. I’m taking Platte County to secure back-to-back state championships with a 35–27 victory.

Class 6

Jackson vs Lee’s Summit

• @ Lee’s Summit, 1:00 PM, 11/29

  Jackson comes into this matchup with one of the most explosive offenses in Missouri and an undefeated record to back it up. They’ve beaten quality teams all season long, including a three-point win over Cardinal Ritter and blowout victories against Farmington, Central, and Festus. Add in solid wins over two tough 8–3 squads in Oakville and Northwest, plus a massive three-point victory over the state’s No. 1 team, CBC, and it’s clear Jackson is peaking at exactly the right time. Lee’s Summit, meanwhile, has authored an impressive turnaround—starting 0–4 before ripping off win after win, including a playoff redemption victory over Liberty after losing to them in Week 1. They’re hot, but Jackson looks unstoppable right now. With their firepower and momentum, I expect Jackson to take control early and win comfortably, 41–27.

Pattonville vs Nixa

• @ Pattonville, 1:00 PM, 11/29

  Pattonville has been one of the most surprising stories in Class 6, entering the postseason as the No. 21-ranked team and going just 4–5 in the regular season before taking full advantage of a soft early playoff path. Their upset over Fort Zumwalt West—dropping 56 points in the process—was easily their most impressive showing of the year. But this is where the road gets steep. Nixa is ranked No. 2 in Missouri, returned some of the talent from last year’s state runner-up finish, and hasn’t scored fewer than 42 points since mid-September. They just knocked out an undefeated Helias Catholic team and did it convincingly, leaving no doubt about who belonged in the final four. Pattonville’s run has been fun, but Nixa is a different level entirely. I expect the Eagles to roll to a 55–34 win.

Championship Game:

• Jackson vs Nixa

  If Jackson and Nixa square off for the Class 6 state championship, you’re looking at a dream matchup between two undefeated powerhouses operating at an elite level. Both teams have the talent, coaching, and explosiveness to win it all, making this about as close to a true coin flip as you’ll find in high school football. Nixa’s offense has been rolling for months, and Jackson has proven they can beat anyone—already taking down the No. 1 team in the state on their playoff run. With both squads leaning heavily on dynamic offenses, this has all the makings of a classic shootout where every possession matters, and no lead is safe. In the end, I give a slight edge to Jackson to finish their perfect season and hoist the state title in a 38–35 thriller.

Missouri’s high school football playoffs never disappoint, and this year’s semifinal and championship matchups across all six classes might be some of the most competitive we’ve seen in years. Whether you agree with the picks or think I’m out of my mind, that’s the fun of this time of year—every team has a shot, every fanbase has hope, and every game has a story waiting to unfold.

Before you head out, I want to ask one quick favor that goes far beyond football. We’re currently running our 4th Annual St. Jude Fundraiser, and from now until January 1st, we’re donating $1 to St. Jude for every single YouTube subscriber we get. It costs you nothing, but it means everything to the families St. Jude supports.

Below this text, you’ll find a button that takes you straight to our YouTube channel. If you enjoy our content—or even if you just appreciate a good cause—I’d truly appreciate you taking a moment to hit that subscribe button.

Thanks for reading, thanks for supporting, and enjoy the rest of this incredible playoff run.

Subscribe!