We come to a big week in the high school season. Clear paths to the playoffs will be made in week nine. A 6-3 week last week makes us 58-13 overall. We start this week with one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.

Liberty 38, Blue Springs 35: Truth be told, if the two teams played 10 times, I think Blue Springs would win seven times. So why am I picking the upset? Because Liberty has enough weapons to keep up with the Wildcats. Also, I don't think the Blue Jays have played their best game yet. Liberty has to be almost perfect (no turnovers, solid defense) to get it done and I think they do it, setting up a district championship.

Kearney 49, St. Joseph Benton 7: Another district walkover for the Bulldogs.

Winnetonka 31, North Kansas City 10: Winnetonka, 5-3, have lost two in a row, including a district opening loss to Fort Osage last week. But the Griffins handle the Hornets this week, setting them up for the Class 5 District 10 second seed in the playoffs.

Park Hill 41, Oak Park 7: The Trojans continue their roll in Class 5 District 11.

Park Hill South 24, St. Joseph Central 14: The Panthers, 4-4, stake their claim to the Class 5 District 11 second seed.

St. Pius X 28, Lincoln Prep 0: The Warriors, fresh off an upset of Pembroke Hill,  will win their second district game before playing O'Hara next week.

Savannah 21, Smithville 16: The Savages, 5-2, beat the Warriors in a close, rugged Class 3 District 16 game.

Staley 52, Westport 7: The Northland's lone undefeated team will get little resistance.