The Spartans advanced to the Elite Eight by pulling away for a 52-29 win over Belton, while the Tigers dumped Nixa 47-7. Neither Belton nor Nixa were ranked. ... The Spartans prevailed despite the absence of star receiver and Nebraska recruit Jaevon McQuitty, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Dre Tyler stepped up and caught touchdown passes of 30 and 31 yards. ... Dre's older brother, senior quarterback Brevin Tyler, threw for four touchdowns and rushed for three, giving him a combined 50 touchdowns this season. His huge season totals also include 3,657 yards passing and 2,175 yards rushing. ...Both Carthage and Battle lost in the semifinals last year, Carthage to Chaminade and Battle to eventual state champion Fort Osage. ... The Tigers have won 10 straight since their season-opening 28-14 loss to Ozark. Ozark lost in its district championship game to third-ranked Glendale by a whopping 85-44 last week. ... Head coach Jon Guidie won his 100th game at Carthage the week before in the district semifinals against Willard. ... Battle --- which is seeking its second state championship in three years --- is averaging 48.5 ppg. and allowing 23. Carthage's averages are 34 and 16 ... The winner of this game will play either third-ranked Glendale (11-0) or fourth-ranked Ft. Zumwalt North (10-1) in the semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m.

Prediction: Battle 42, Carthage 32

CLASS 3

McCluer South-Berkeley Bulldogs (11-0, ranked No. 5)

at Blair Oaks Falcons (11-0, ranked No. 2)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Blair Oaks advanced with a high-scoring 56-35 win over Southern Boone last week, while McCluer South edged St. Charles West 12-7 in a defensive battle. ... That was an unusual outcome, indeed, for the Bulldogs, who entered that game averaging 44 points a game. They've allowed only 75 points all season --- an average of less than 7 ppg. --- and have five shutouts. ... The Falcons allowed five touchdowns last week, but two of those came on kickoff returns. ... Senior running back Jake Van Ronzelen rushed for 244 yards in the win, giving him 1,627 for the season and within 76 yards of the school record of 1,703 set by Justin Eiken in 2008. ...Unlike the one-man wrecking crew of Van Ronzelen, the Bulldogs come at you in waves --- six backs have gained at least 222 yards, led by junior Devon Blanchard's 601 yards (9.1 avg.) and 13 touchdowns. ... Junior quarterback Tavian Willis has completed 92-of-140 passes for 1,673 yards and 20 touchdowns, compared to only three interceptions. Their top receivers are senior John White (20 catches, 25.1 avg., seven touchdowns) and senior Jordan Cole (20, 17.0, six). ... Terry Walker is in his second year with the Falcons and has compiled a mark of 24-1, with the only loss coming in last year's semifinals to eventual state champion John Burroughs. ... The winner of this game will play either fourth-ranked Monnett (11-1) or unranked Owensville (12-0) in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m.

Prediction: Blair Oaks 42, McCluer South 28

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Owensville Dutchmen (12-0, NR)

at Monett Cubs (11-1, ranked No. 4)

Saturday, 1 p.m.

The Dutchmen are coming off a 47-27 win over Eldon in the district finals, while the Cubs got past Mount Vernon 44-28. ... Against Eldon, 6-2, 190-pound junior quarterback Wyatt Ellis had a big night --- again --- as he was 20-of-27 for 388 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for a score. He's now thrown for 2,337 yards and 32 touchdowns this year. ... Michael Branch, a 6-foot, 220-pound senior, rushed for 321 yards in the Cubs' victory. Branch certainly appears to be the player to stop for the Dutchmen. ... Monett has played one other team from Central Missouri this season, as it knocked off California 34-6 in Week One. ... Monett's lone loss this season came in Week 4 to Lamar, 49-34, and that's hardly anything to be ashamed of --- Lamar is a Class 2 dynasty, it's back in the quarterfinals, ranked No. 1, and is the odds-on favorite to win its sixth consecutive state championship. ... The Cubs didn't get out of their district last year, but went to the semifinals in both 2012 and 2014. ... Owensville continued to build on its own school record with last week's win over Eldon. No Dutchmen team had ever started the season 7-0 prior to this year. ... The winner of this game will either play second-ranked Blair Oaks (11-0) or fifth-ranked McCluer South Berkeley (11-0) in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m.

Prediction: Monnett 43, Owensville 37

CLASS 2

Brentwood Eagles (10-1, NR) at Centralia Panthers (9-3, NR)

Saturday, 1 p.m.

Centralia rolled over top-seeded and eighth-ranked Macon 35-6 to win its district championship, while Brentwood brushed aside Hermann 39-20. ... The Panthers rolled up 455 yards rushing and Jackson Evans scored three touchdowns in the victory. ... Centralia lost three of its last four to end the regular season after starting 5-0 with three shutouts. The final loss was a narrow 24-23 decision to Macon in the regular-season finale, a loss Centralia avenged three weeks later. ... The lone loss for the Eagles this season to Class 3 Orchard Farm, 27-21 in overtime on Sept. 9. ... Brentwood has gone 9-0 in the regular season in the previous three years, but failed to get out of its district. ... The Eagles have scored more than 50 points six times this season, more than 60 points five times, and more than 70 two times. ... Senior running back Kaylon Jenkins has rushed for 1,662 yards (11.5 avg.) and 26 touchdowns for the Eagles. ... The winner of this game will play either top-ranked and five-time defending state champion Lamar (11-0) or second-ranked Moutain View (12-0) in the semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. Lamar won its three district games by a combined 187-22.

Prediction: Centralia 28, Brentwood 26