Can Fort Osage upset Blue Springs? It's Week 2 of Missouri high school football

The most highly-touted matchup of the opening month takes place on the tall grass at Fort Osage on Friday. The Indians welcome two-time defending Missouri Class 6 champion Blue Springs to town.

That's where this week's picks will begin. I was 5-2 in the opening week, and, frankly, that's probably about as good as it's going to get this season. You've been warned.

On to Week 2...

• Blue Springs (1-0) at Fort Osage (1-0), 7 p.m.

I voted Blue Springs No. 1 in the Missouri Class 6 state media poll, and I have Fort Osage atop my Class 5 ballot. Until the Wildcats lose — which they haven't done since Sept. 14, 2012 — they're still the team to beat, regardless of class. But don’t expect a blowout.

Prediction: Blue Springs 28, Fort Osage 21

• Webb City (1-0) at Rockhurst (1-0), 7 p.m.

Webb City has won four straight Missouri Class 4 state championships, and it won last year's state title game without completing a pass. Seriously. Rockhurst opened the season by crushing Rock Bridge, a team many thought would contend for a trip to St. Louis in November.

Prediction: Rockhurst 28, Webb City 21

• O'Hara (1-0) at Oak Grove (1-0), 7 p.m.

An early season gem in Missouri Class 3 football. Oak Grove has lost only one regular season game in two years. O'Hara has a lot of talent back and rolled over a quality Richmond team last week. But this is Oak Grove.

Prediction: Oak Grove 28, O'Hara 24

• Raymore-Peculiar (1-0) at Staley (0-1), 7 p.m.

Both teams say they have improved from 2013, and they have the chance to prove it Friday. The key question Friday: Can Staley stack up against Raymore-Peculiar's experienced offensive line? I say yes.

Prediction: Staley 24, Raymore-Peculiar 20

• Kearney (1-0) at Liberty (0-1), 7 p.m.

The Kearney Bulldogs will be dangerous after dropping to Class 4 this season, but they open with three Class 5 opponents. Go figure. Liberty needs a bounce-back performance after a four-score loss to Lee's Summit West.

Prediction: Kearney 35, Liberty 24

• North Kansas City (0-1) at Belton (0-1), 7 p.m.

A pair of teams looking to avoid an 0-2 start meet Friday. Belton put up an honorable fight against Raymore-Peculiar. North Kansas City needs a better defensive showing after giving up 50 against St. Joseph Lafayette.

Prediction: North Kansas City 21, Belton 20

This story was originally published August 29, 2014 at 2:03 AM.