10 bold predictions ahead of the 2024 Springfield-area high school football season

The start of the 2024 high school football season in southwest Missouri is just three weeks away. We’re ready to give you our thoughts on the start of the year.

Here are 10 bold predictions ahead of the season.

Nixa’s Jackson Cantwell to be named News-Leader Player of the Year

We’ve given this recognition to quarterbacks, running backs and linebackers since resurrecting this honor in 2020, but we have yet to give it to a lineman on either side of the ball. We wouldn’t be surprised if that changes over the next two years with Nixa’s superstar offensive tackle. Cantwell is coming off a season in which he didn’t allow a sack and has only gotten better. The No. 2 junior prospect in the nation could be the leader of one of the most special offensive lines we’ve seen come out of the box. That should put him in position to earn the honor.

Cash Pomeroy will lead Marionville to its second consecutive undefeated season and state championship win.

Pomeroy is a special athlete and would be a great player at any level. He just happens to play in Class 1, where we don’t think anyone can stop him on his way to another championship. This young roster is set up for the next two years and we think the Comets are just getting started.

Further: How conference realignment will transform southwest Missouri high school football in 2024

Central’s Trevor Wilson will lead the area in sacks for the second time in three years.

Wilson has recorded 10 sacks in each of the past two seasons. We have a feeling he’s on the cusp of doing it again, despite playing a tougher schedule than the Bulldogs have had in recent years. He’s a tireless worker and opposing offensive lines will have to be prepared for that.

Former Ozark Conference teams will struggle in first year in the Central Ozark Conference

The biggest storyline of the 2024 season is the realignment in the Ozarks conferences. The Central Ozark Conference is going to get a lot of the attention after bringing in some of the most notable programs from the Ozark Conference. The COC has been the best league in the area for several seasons and the teams within it are used to playing the toughest competition each week. We think the former COC teams will reign supreme over the former OC programs with Nixa, Webb City, Carthage, Republic, and Joplin staying ahead of teams like Lebanon, Kickapoo, and Glendale. Lebanon is the team we think will make the first noise because of what is returning.

Webb City to return to state championship

Last year, the Cardinals fell by one point in the state semifinals to Republic, with a sophomore quarterback leading the way. Even with that quarterback sidelined for the season, we don’t doubt the Cardinals’ ability to make up for it and still have a fantastic season. The best program in the state is destined to have success over the next two years and it wouldn’t be a surprise if it happens this year with who’s returning and how well the Cardinals continue to coach.

Further: Here are the southwest Missouri high school football teams with the best position groups

Ozark’s Parker Elliott will land with a Missouri Valley Football Conference program

It’s just a matter of time before Elliott lands somewhere. He has what it takes to be a solid Missouri Valley Football Conference player, whether it’s at Southern Illinois, Illinois State or Murray State. He’d be someone we’d keep an eye on at Missouri State, but his upcoming move to Conference USA gives us pause and the Bears have been more likely to go after linebackers through the portal rather than through development, which is what Elliott would need at the next level. He’s a tough, talented linebacker and should end up at the Division I level.

Ava’s Hunter Adams will lead the area in racing.

It was surprising to see how well Adams played last year, when he was recovering from a knee injury and a broken femur. He rushed for 1,712 yards, topping a phenomenal rookie season in which he rushed for 1,174. When he’s on the field, there aren’t many better. Ava has a handful of running backs who should touch the ball, but none more so than Adams. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him surpass 2,000 yards this season while leading the way.

West Plains to win first Ozark Mountain Conference title

The Zizzers appear to be in the best position to claim the first Ozark Mountain Conference title because of how much they bring back and what they will be up against in the league. Seeing how the top-tier Ozark Conference program stacks up against a rising Branson team coming out of the COC will be something to watch closely, along with Carl Junction, which struggled in its final years in the COC. West Plains has talented quarterback Isaiah Jones, plus big, physical linemen like Jaxon Hunter. West Plains is consistently one of the top teams in the region and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it win the first OMC championship.

Further: These are the southwest Missouri high school football receivers you need to know heading into 2024

Fair Grove to Face Reeds Spring for Another Mid-Lakes Championship

The addition of the Reeds Spring program gives a worthy rival to Fair Grove, which is coming off a state semifinal appearance and brings back most of its talented players. We think Fair Grove will hold its own against the Wolves before going on another deep run in the postseason. Kellen Lair will continue to shine for the Eagles along with the duo of Spensar Seiger and Bryden Baxter. There is a lot to look forward to from Brock Bruner this year and a new name to know in linebacker Kolton Klindworth. Reeds Spring has a lot to replace with the star QB-WR duo of Blandy Burall and James Dowdy having graduated. The Wolves will be in the mix soon.

Lamar’s Alex Wilkerson to be First Team All-Ozarks QB at end of year

Had Wilkerson been healthy throughout last season, he would have been considered for several postseason accolades as a standout quarterback and defensive back. He recovered just in time to lead Lamar to a state title. If he stays on the field, we believe Wilkerson will earn postseason recognition on both sides of the ball. No one would be surprised by another run to the state title, either.

This article originally appeared in the Springfield News-Leader: Bold predictions for 2024 southwest Missouri high school football