Ozark midfielder/forward Phin Scott is looking forward to seeing how the Tigers handle being the No. 1 seed in Class 4 District 5.
Ozark (21-2-2) opens District play today at 1 p.m. against Lebanon (5-19) in the opening round.
Glendale (15-7) is the No. 2 seed, Nixa (14-8) No. 3, Kickapoo (14-10) No. 4 and Waynesville (15-4) No. 5.
Ozark is the District host.
“We're the top dog and everyone is trying to come up to us,” Scott said. “It's stressful because we have a lot to live up to. I think we will respond just fine. A lot of us don't feel pressure like that. We'll be good.”
“I like our chances,” Ozark coach Zack Owens said. “We got the number one seed for a reason. I like our pathway."
Ozark owns wins against Glendale, Nixa and Kickapoo.
"We can't overlook any of these teams,” said midfielder/forward Caleb Lepant, who set a Tigers single-season record last week with his 34th goal. “Yes, we beat them all in the regular season. But it's Districts, it's completely different. Lose and our season and high school careers are over.”
If the seeds hold true, Ozark will play Kickapoo in the semifinal round. The Chiefs are the defending District champ.
The Tigers whipped Kickapoo 6-0 in mid-September.
“Kickapoo has picked it up,” Lepant said. “I think it's important to think of them as a different team. They're a different team when they play us because it's a big rivalry.”
“Kickapoo has turned it around,” Scott said. “Kickapoo, Glendale or Nixa, whoever it is, will be tough, We always play Glendale and Nixa close. It will be tough, but we're capable of winning.”
Nixa will be counting on the duo of Caeden Cloud and Lucas Green to continue scoring at high rate. Cloud has 20 goals and eight assists, while Green has 16 goals.
“We have guys that can finish, so I like our chances,” coach Evan Palmer said. “We will have to play excellent team defense and make the most of our chances."
The Eagles are scoring an average of 2.7 goals a match and giving up an average of 1.3 goals a night.
Palmer is counting on Nixa’s first-year starters to play with confidence.
“Our guys have worked hard to be competitive,” Palmer said. “The first-year varsity players have stepped in and played well.”
Nixa faces Neosho in the first round at 7 tonight. The Eagles blanked the Wildcats 3-0 on Oct. 3.
Nixa-Glendale would likely be an entertaining semifinal matchup. The Falcons edged the Eagles 3-2 on Oct. 9
“They have some excellent attacking players so it will be a challenge for us to keep up with them,” Palmer said. “I feel good with our group. We have improved a lot and have figured out where our players should go to make us competitive.”
