Big Class:
1. Chillicothe (5-0)
The Hornets kept on marching with a 42-8 win over a decent Bishop LeBlond team in week 5 to stay undefeated and atop the power poll.
Chillicothe enters an interesting part of its schedule over the next three weeks as it faces 4-1 Lafayette, a Savannah team that is better than its record indicates and currently undefeated Smithville.
2. Maryville (4-1)
The Spoofhounds did what they were supposed to do in week 5 with a 63-0 win over Cameron.
They face another winless team this week when they travel to Benton before having what would be a mammoth showdown with Smithville in week 7.
Maryville is starting to get some players back that suffered injuries early in the season.
3. Smithville (5-0)
If you weren’t paying attention to the Warriors, you certainly are now.
In a clash of undefeated teams, Smithville blanked Lafayette 35-0 in week 5.
There’s chatter that the Warriors may be the most underrated team in the state.
We’ll find out in due time, but they’re certainly making noise in their swan song in the MEC before they head to the Suburban Conference.
Smithville travels to Bishop LeBlond for week 6 to possibly set the stage for a huge week 7 game at home against Maryville.
4. Lafayette (4-1)
Lafayette got shutout 35-0 at Smithville in week 5, and things don’t get easier when it heads to undefeated Chillicothe this week.
Still, the Fighting Irish have had a nice year to date and losing on the road to a very good Smithville team shouldn’t exactly cause panic.
Lafayette can make a statement with an upset this week, but beating the Hornets at Jerry Litton Memorial Stadium is easier said than done.
5. St. Joseph Central (1-4)
Similar to what we wrote last week, Central may be 1-4, but it’s still a Class 5 team. And a loss to Class 6 Raymore-Peculiar in week 5 is nothing to be ashamed of.
The Indians enter a more manageable part of the schedule with three of their next four opponents entering week 6 with a 1-4 record.
Small Class:
1. Lawson (3-2)
We’re sorry we doubted you, Cardinals.
Silly us for not putting you in the rankings last week, but when you beat the former No. 1 team, in our book you become the No. 1 team.
Lawson makes the jump from not being ranked to the top spot thanks to its 7-2 win over previously undefeated and No. 1, Lathrop.
And for those wondering how a 3-2 team can be No. 1? Look at the teams Lawson lost to.
Maryville is Maryville, and Higginsville is undefeated and the best team in Class 2 no is talking about (take note of the strong win the Huskers just had over Class 3 Richmond).
But don’t get too complacent, Cardinals, because a road trip to Gower to face 4-1 East Buchanan this week marks the place to be for small-class football in the Uclick TV area.
2. Lathrop (4-1)
The Mules will look to get back track this week following a 7-2 loss to Lawson when they host 2-3 North Platte.
Lathrop needs to take care of business this week and in week 7 vs. rival Plattsburg to set up an important matchup against East Buchanan in week 8.
3. Hamilton (4-1)
The Hornets just routed a pretty decent Plattsburg team 52-12 in week 5 to move to 4-1.
They travel to 1-4 West Platte this week, and barring a major upset, Hamilton travels to Lawson at 5-1 for week 7 in a game that will have big KCI implications.
Like we said last week, with a Division I running back and talent everywhere else, the Hornets will be in the KCI race until proven otherwise.
4. East Buchanan (4-1)
The ‘Dawgs took care of rival Mid-Buchanan 44-13 in week 5 to improve to 4-1.
Now comes the first of three games against the KCI big boys in the final four weeks when East Buchanan hosts Lawson Friday.
Both teams are 3-0 in the KCI and the winner takes sole possession of first place.
If you are just a football fan, aren’t loyal to a team and looking for a place to be this week, head to Gower where the atmosphere should be electric.
We'll know a lot more about the ‘Dawgs after this week.
5. Marceline (5-0)
Another week, another dominating win for the Tigers.
After entering week 5 with an average victory margin of 46-4, the Tigers actually improved on those marks as Greg Hough moves to 17-1 at Marceline following a 48-0 victory over Paris.
Marceline heads back on the road this week to Schuyler County, but it’s hard to see the Tigers being challenged before a week 8 contest at Westran.
8-man
1. Worth County (with Northeast Nodaway) (5-0)
2. Stanberry (5-0)
3. Mound City (with Craig) (5-0)
4. Rock Port (5-0)
5. Norborne/Hardin-Central (4-1)