Missouri high school football playoffs: Second-round predictions

The Missouri high school football playoffs march into the second week of districts tonight.

Once again, I have predictions for every game involving a local team.

Last week's record: 33-1*

Season record: 64-18

*not a misprint

On to this week...

• Liberty North (7-3) at Staley (8-2), Class 5

Two of the best defenses in the state will meet for the second tie this season. Staley won the regular season matchup 28-17, but only after it erased a 17-0 third-quarter deficit.

Prediction: Staley 21, Liberty North 7

• Blue Springs (7-3) at Raymore-Peculiar (8-2), Class 6

Raymore-Peculiar dominated Blue Springs 31-13 earlier this month, but the Panthers learned last week that it's not easy to beat a quality team twice in a season. They trailed Lee's Summit West 17-0 at halftime last week before staging a second-half comeback.

Prediction: Blue Springs 28, Ray-Pec 21

• Truman (6-4) at Winnetonka (7-2), Class 5

Winnetonka has continued to become a more versatile offense as the season has progressed, which makes the Griffins the more dangerous team tonight.

Prediction: Winnetonka 35, Truman 28

• Kickapoo (7-3) at Rockhurst (9-1), Class 6

The Hawklets are rolling. Rockhurst will look to extend an eight-game winning streak behind an exceptionally efficient offense. Senior quarterback T.J. Green hasn't thrown more than four incompletions in game since September.

Prediction: Rockhurst 31, Kickapoo 14

• Lincoln Prep (7-3) at St. Pius X (6-4), Class 3

The Warriors defeated Lincoln Prep 28-16 in the Class 3 district playoffs last season.

But Lincoln Prep believes it's more versatile this season, and the successes of running backs Colandus Rucker, Jabari Hopson and Kaylyn Davis lends credibility to that thought. Is that enough?

Prediction: St. Pius X 28, Lincoln Prep 22

Other predictions:

Class 6

Francis Howell 28, Blue Springs South 21

Class 5

Willard 28, Belton 20

Fort Osage 42, Raytown 14

Park Hill 42, Liberty 21

Class 4

Harrisonville 28, Grain Valley 14

Raytown South 28, Center 27

Kearney 34, Lafayette 21

Platte County 24, Smithville 21

Class 3

O'Hara 28, Odessa 17

Oak Grove 21, Hogan Prep 20

Class 2

Stockton 21, University Academy 16

Brookfield 42, Lawson 35

Class 1

Midway 28, Adrian 7

West Platte 35, Wellington-Napoleon 20

Plattsburg 35, Lone Jack 22

This story was originally published October 31, 2014 at 12:12 PM.