Missouri Boys Classes Four and Five District ratings and Playoff predictions February 20, 2021

Updated with recent scores as of Feb 24th

 I have posted Missouri Boys District ratings for Classes One, Two, Three, and Six in previous posts.  Since district tournaments are beginning today in some classes, I am lumping the Boys Class four and five together this morning.

Of course, rating teams can sometimes be a crapshoot.  The ratings are based upon comparative scores for the entire season, however, some nights a team will have everything going their way and surprise with a larger winning margin than expected.  Some teams have injuries or illness that pushes their ratings down.  If everything was normal, the difference in ratings is a good approximation of the final spread.  Readers rave about the ratings when they are close to actual scores.  When the final score is significantly different, I often hear how bad the ratings are.  Like I said, ratings are a crapshoot.

So, that said, I will offer up my Class five and four predictions.  

In class four, unless Vashon has a covid quarantine or the entire tournament is cancelled, I don't see anyone giving them a tough game in the playoffs.  Here's my final eight and championship game predictions:

Class Four Final Eight:

Vashon polishes off a great New Madrid County Central squad by 23

Westminster/MICDS beats a very good Father Tolton team by 7  (I reserve judgement on WCA and MICDS until their 2/23 game.  WCA has moved slightly ahead of MICDS based on recent games)

Blair Oaks beats East Newton by five

KC Center tops St. Michael Archangel by eleven

State Final:  Vashon beats KC Center by 17 in the championship

In Class five, both the east and west side of the state have very competitive teams but the St. Louis area teams appear to be stronger than the KC teams.  Cardinal Ritter and U City, both in district five and De Smet in district seven could be the state champion and will probably face Webb City, Platte County, Kearney or Mexico in the final.  It is the toughest class to predict.

Class Five Final Eight: 

Cape Girardeau Notre Dame edges Vianney in OT

Cardinal Ritter gets by De Smet by two   (but don't count out U City)

Webb City drops Springfield Catholic by three (Logan Rogervilles could be in the mix)

Platte County/Mexico winner edges Ruskin/Van Horn winner in OT  (four very good districts)

State Championship:  Cardinal Ritter over Webb City by 13