Missouri high school football playoffs: District predictions

The opening week of the Missouri high school football postseason takes place tonight.

We're forecasting every first-round matchup this week, starting with a rematch between Lee's Summit West and Raymore-Peculiar.

Last week's record: 2-2

Season record: 31-17

• Lee's Summit West (6-3) at Raymore-Peculiar (7-2), Class 6

Either the defending Class 5 champions (Lee's Summit West) or the winners of the state's toughest conference (Raymore-Peculiar) will be going home after just one playoff game. My bet: Raymore-Peculiar sticks around.

Prediction: Raymore-Peculiar 35, Lee's Summit West 21

• Lee's Summit (4-5) at Blue Springs (6-3), Class 6

The question here is relatively simple: Can Lee's Summit find a way to slow down the Blue Springs pass rush? Carlos Davis had 3 1/2 sacks in the first meeting, won by Blue Springs.

Prediction: Blue Springs 35, Lee's Summit 21

• Savannah (6-3) at Smithville (7-2), Class 4

It's a tough first-round draw for Smithville, which defeated Savannah 37-27 in Week 3. That game was tied entering the fourth quarter. Smithville has topped 30 points in six of the past seven weeks.

Prediction: Smithville 35, Savannah 28

• Park Hill South (3-6) at Liberty (2-7), Class 5

Liberty defeated Park Hill South 24-21 in the regular season, but it built a 24-0 lead before having to hold on late. The winner faces unbeaten Park Hill next week.

Prediction: Liberty 21, Park Hill South 20

• Excelsior Springs (1-8) at Kearney (8-1), Class 4

Kearney has returned to Class 4, where it won state titles in 2002, 2003 and 2009. It may be poised for another run this season.

Prediction: Kearney 42, Excelsior Springs 7

• North Kansas City (1-8) at Truman (5-4), Class 5

Truman is hosting a playoff game only one year after winning zero games. A remarkable turnaround. How remarkable? The playoffs will determine that.

Prediction: Truman 34, North Kansas City 21

• Blue Springs South (4-5) at Timberland (6-3), Class 6

The Jaguars are headed east for their district bracket. That may be a good thing. Blue Springs South has played better over the best four weeks and could be a surprise team in that bracket this postseason.

Prediction: Blue Springs South 28, Timberland 21

• Lee's Summit North (1-8) at Rockhurst (8-1), Class 6

The Hawklets have won seven straight since Webb City blew them out in Week 2. The train should keep rolling behind T.J. Green tonight.

Prediction: Rockhurst 42, Lee's Summit North 10

• Benton (3-6) at Platte County (8-1), Class 4

Both teams can put points on the board in a hurry, but Platte County has been a team that finds a win to win. It's 3-0 in games decided by one possession.

Prediction: Platte County 42, Benton 28

• Other first-round predictions:

Staley 35, Oak Park 7

Liberty North 28, St. Joseph Central 7

Raytown 14, William Chrisman 12

Smith-Cotton 28, Ruskin 7

Belton 35, Neosho 34

Grain Valley 21, Warrensburg 20

Center 21, Pleasant Hill 10

Harrisonville 35, Nevada 14

Raytown South 42, Grandview 14

St. Joseph Lafayette 42, Van Horn 35

Odessa 28, Southwest 6

Oak Grove 35, Pembroke Hill 13

O'Hara 42, Clinton 6

Richmond 34, Chillicothe 28

Lawson 28, Lexington 27

West Platte 37, Mid Buchanan 21

Hogan Prep 35, Central 6

Lincoln Prep 28, Northeast 13

Maryville 49, East 6

St. Pius X 35, Cameron 13

Midway 52, Liberal 6

El Dorado Springs 35, Summit Christian 21

University Academy 14, African Centered 8

Plattsburg 42, Orrick 6

Lone Jack 45, Concordia 42

This story was originally published October 24, 2014 at 12:22 PM.