Most program in the Metro are in a conference. They have set opponents to play no matter what the sport. There are a few however that go it alone as independents.
Some like Rockhurst or Hogan Prep Academy have been independents for a long time. Others like Pembroke Hill have been in a conference in the past but have been going it alone for more than a decade while others like Center, Clinton, Sedalia Smith-Cotton and St. Michael find themselves without a conference after the West Central disbanded at the end of the 2018 school year.
Being independent does allow for some interesting matchups from year to year. It can be hard to make a schedule, but the flexibility can lead to unlikely rivals and fantastic games.
Let’s look at some of the interesting games for the Metro’s independent teams in 2019
Week 1 – Lincoln College Prep at Hogan Prep Academy
Lincoln Prep has been the top program in the Interscholastic League the last few seasons. The Blue Tigers have shown that they can be competitive outside the league as well. Hogan Prep is always one of the better teams in Class 3 in the Metro so this should be a great test for both schools right out of the box.
Week 2 – St. Joseph Lafayette at Center
Another great non-conference game as the Irish travel south to take on the Yellowjackets. Both teams are used to playing deep into the postseason and this could be a good early season test for both as they try to make another run.
Week 3 – Clinton at Summit Christian Academy
The Cardinals struggled last year going 0-10 in new coach Paul Carney’s first year. There should be some improvement in year two. Carney has a good history at Osceola where he took that school to the class 1 semis. Clinton failed to score in a 35-0 loss to the Eagles last season so it will be easy to see progress in this contest.
Week 4 – Center at Van Horn
Van Horn has found its feet as a football program and are trying to get where Center has been for the last decade. This was a close game last year with Center pulling down a 21-6 win. This could be one of the better games of the season for both teams.
Week 5 – Lincoln College Prep at Pembroke Hill
Last season as Pembroke Hill was rolling to an undefeated regular season this was one of the better tests on the schedule. It should be again this year as Lincoln Prep could make the 28-6 score even closer.
Week 6 – Bishop Miege at Rockhurst
A rematch of one of the most anticipated games in the Metro in maybe 20 years. These two titans battled down to the final minutes with Rockhurst holding on for the 14-13 win. It could be another instant classic when these teams meet.
Week 7 – St. Michael at Pierce City
It’s the third year for St. Michael and after an 0-9 start in 2017 the Guardians grabbed a few wins last season and they could be even better this year. A win at Pierce City could be a good sign that St. Michael is heading toward its best season yet.
Week 8 – CBC at Rockhurst
Nothing like a rematch of the Class 6 state title game to get you ready for the playoffs. CBC easily won the regular season game last year and then backed it up with an impressive performance in the state title game. Who knows maybe this is a preview of another state championship game?
Week 9 – Sedalia Smith-Cotton at Center
These teams were both in the West Central Conference and for the last few years of that league this game determined the conference champ. Smith-Cotton has won this game the last two years and it should be another good game this season. A win for Center could be big as it heads into the postseason.
Center
8/30 Kansas City Central
9/6 St. Joseph Lafayette
9/13 @ Oak Grove
9/21 @ Van Horn
9/27 Bolivar
10/4 @ Clinton
10/11 Independence (Kan.)
10/18 @ St. Michael
10/25 Sedalia Smith-Cotton
Clinton
8/30 @ St. Joseph Lafayette
9/6 Odessa
9/13 @ Summit Christian Academy
9/20 Warrensburg
9/27 @ Mexico
10/4 Center
10/11 Bolivar
10/18 @ Sedalia Smith-Cotton
10/25 @ St. Michael
Hogan Prep Academy
8/31 Lincoln College Prep
9/6 @ Lathrop
9/13 @ East
9/21 Southeast
9/27 Open
10/4 @ Warrenton
10/12 Marshall
10/19 Northeast
10/26 @ Kansas City Central
Pembroke Hill
8/30 El Dorado Springs
9/6 University Academy
9/13 @ Southeast
9/20 @ Bishop Ward
9/27 Lincoln College Prep
10/4 @ Forsyth
10/11 Kansas City Central
10/18 @ Summit Christian Academy
10/25 Van Horn
Rockhurst
8/30 @ Columbia Rock Bridge
9/6 @ Blue Springs
9/13 Raymore-Peculiar
9/20 Blue Springs South
9/27 @ Blue Valley
10/4 Bishop Miege
10/11 @ Columbia Battle
10/18 CBC
10/25 @ Jefferson City
Sedalia Smith-Cotton
8/30 @ Moberly
9/6 Columbia Battle
9/13 @ Warrensburg
9/20 Columbia Hickman
9/27 @ Smithville
10/4 Lawrence Free State
10/11 @ Columbia Rock Bridge
10/18 Clinton
10/25 @ Center
St. Michael
8/30 @ Summit Christian Academy
9/6 @ St. Pius X
9/13 @ Fair Grove
9/20 Lone Jack
9/27 Southeast
10/4 @ Cass-Midway
10/11 @ Pierce City
10/18 Center
10/25 Clinton
