For most football fans, the end of the regular season means that it’s time to start looking forward to next year. There are plenty of other fall activities to enjoy, but none of them can replace the thrill of seeing high school kids crash into one another on a Friday night. For those who love watching local football teams, this means putting together an offseason schedule and researching 2023 prospects. But we understand that not everyone is equipped with the same level of insider knowledge when it comes to prep sports in general or specific schools in particular. To help bridge that gap and ease you into the upcoming season, we’ve put together everything you need to know about Missouri high school football 2022: The teams, the schedule and our predictions for how each team will fare next year.
| Event: | Missouri School Football |
| Start Date: | August 2022 |
| Broadcast: | NFHS Network |
| State: | Missouri |
| Live Stream: | Watch Here |
Missouri 2022 Football Schedule
The 2022 high school football schedule is still being compiled as we speak. We do know, however, that the season will start in mid-August, with the playoffs wrapping up in early December. The games are played on Friday nights, just like they are now. You may see a few games on Saturday or Thursday nights, but that’s pretty rare. Game times vary depending on the school and the stadium. Most games start at 7 p.m., but some schools have opted to start at 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Central Valley Wildcats
The Central Valley Wildcats have been one of the most consistent programs in all of Missouri for the last decade. After winning back-to-back state titles in 2015 and 2016, the Wildcats took a step back last season by failing to make the playoffs. Central Valley will look to return to the top of the polls in 2022 after losing a few key contributors to graduation last year. QB: The Wildcats lost two key components to their offense when Peyton Daniel and Josh Smith graduated. But the future is bright under center thanks to rising sophomore Jake Stevens. Coach: Josh Brookfield RB: With limited experience at the quarterback position, Central Valley will likely rely on the running game a little more in 2022. Rising junior Jack Ross is the team’s top returning rusher. WR: The graduation of Jaxon Hunt leaves a void in the receivers’ room but rising senior Keion Williams could earn a starting spot. OL: The Wildcats have plenty of options along the line, but few are settled into a position. Expect a fierce battle for playing time during the offseason.
Cooper Cougars
The Cooper Cougars have emerged as a dark horse in the Missouri state title race over the last few seasons. After finishing third in the state in 2021, the Cougars are hoping to take the next step and make a trip to the finals. With a number of key players set to graduate, however, it won’t be an easy task for coach John Pearson to achieve that goal. QB: Star quarterback Addison Dinkins is set to graduate this year. The Cougars are set to welcome a number of talented underclassmen to the fold, though, so the future is bright at the position. RB: The Cougars also lose a key component in the backfield when rising senior Malcolm Herbert heads to the next level. Rising junior Jamari Harper should get a chance to earn more snaps in his third year. WR: After leading the team in receiving yards last year, rising senior Travius Brown is set to graduate. Rising sophomore Reagan Donald looks like the favorite to earn the starting spot.
Columbia Blue Knights
Fans in Columbia have been waiting for the Blue Knights to put together a playoff run for years now. After finishing with a winning record for the third consecutive season, Columbia looks ready to take the next step. With a number of talented underclassmen set to graduate, however, the Blue Knights could struggle to match last season’s success. QB: Columbia has been grooming underclassmen to take over the quarterback position for the last few years, and rising sophomore Colt Nolan looks ready to take over. RB: Rising senior Elijah Washington heads to the NFL after leading the Blue Knights in rushing yards last season. Rising sophomore Darius Carter could earn a bigger workload in his third year. WR: The Blue Knights lose their top receiver in rising senior Quentin Jackson after a 1,000-yard campaign last season. Rising sophomore Jaxon Lee should see an increased role in his third year.
Joplin Jaguars
After reaching the state semifinals in 2021, the Joplin Jaguars put together another successful campaign last season. With a number of key contributors set to graduate, however, it’s unclear whether coach Chris Cook’s team will be able to sustain the momentum. QB: The Jaguars lose a pair of top-notch quarterbacks when rising seniors Demetrius Lawrence and Mikael Gross depart. RB: Rising senior Jamichael Mitchell led the Jaguars in rushing yards last season and looks set to graduate. Look for rising junior Kyle Bishop to earn a bigger workload in his third year. WR: Joplin also loses a key playmaker on the outside when rising senior Tyrelle Rice departs. Rising juniors Jaxon Hines and Brenden Elkins will battle for the top spot.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals have been on the cusp of a playoff run for a few seasons but have struggled to put it all together. With a talented underclassmen group set to take over and a few key pieces returning, coach Dustin Shelton’s team could be ready to make a run at the state title. QB: With rising senior Trevor Sinclair set to graduate, Kansas City is set to welcome a new signal-caller to the fold. Rising sophomore Ryan Abernathy looks ready to earn the starting spot. RB: The Royals will also be without rising senior Kelvin McCloud, who led the team in rushing yards last season. Rising junior Zachary Holley should be ready for a heavier workload in his third year. WR: Rising seniors Philip Morris and Blake Millican are set to graduate after making a big impact on the offense last season. Rising juniors Ricki Ervin and John Greenfield should battle for the top spot.
Raytown Falcons
The Falcons have been a consistent playoff team over the last few seasons and are set to continue that trend in 2022. With a talented underclassmen group and a host of key players set to return, coach Ted Dickenson’s team looks ready to make a run at the state title. QB: Raytown has a pair of rising sophomore quarterbacks set to battle for the starting spot. RB: The Falcons will also have a new running back in the fold after rising senior Thomas Williams departs. Rising sophomore Jayden Jones is set to receive some snaps in his first year. WR: Raytown will also have a new receiver in the fold after rising senior Xavier Fellows heads to the next level. Rising sophomore Jarrett O’Neal should be ready for a bigger role in his third year.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals haven’t been able to put together a winning season since the turn of the decade, but coach Derek Wicks believes his team is ready to turn things around. With a talented underclassmen group set to take over and a few key players returning, St. Louis has the makings of a playoff team. QB: St. Louis is set to welcome a new quarterback to the fold after rising senior Jake Robinson heads to the next level. RB: Cardinals will also have a new running back after rising senior Gary Smith departs. Rising sophomore Kyle Dawson should be ready for a bigger workload in his third season. WR: St. Louis will have a new receiver in the fold after rising senior Ryker Bowman heads to the next level.
Conclusion
Whatever the results, it’s always fun to look ahead to the next season and speculate about how teams will perform. Football is a game of high variance, though, so one thing that is certain is that nothing is guaranteed. With that in mind, we hope you enjoyed this piece on Missouri high school football 2022 and hope it gave you a little extra insight into the teams and players you’ll be watching soon.
People Also Read: Missouri High School Football Live – Cable TV
