The Trenton Bulldogs appear to be locked into a situation that, unless one of the “Big 4” begins to slide after mid-season, has THS looking at a road game to begin district play in Week #10 of the football season.  That is the bad news for Trenton fans.  However, on the good news front, the Bulldogs have moved to #6 in the Class 2, District 8 standings this week, with 23 1/2 points, courtesy of a 35-14 win over Putnam County at C.F. Russell Stadium on Friday night.

The biggest issue from Trenton, Carrollton, Brookfield, and Richmond in earning home-field advantage for the district quarterfinals is trying to move up into a group of four teams, all Class 2 ranked, that have started the season a combined 16-0.

Holding the top spot in Class 2, District 8 are Chris Holt’s Lathrop Mules, with a total of 53 points in the standings.  The Mules are ranked #3 in this week’s Class 2 state poll, and play the West Platte Blue Jays this week.  In second place in District 8 are the Macon Tigers (51 1/2 points), holding their own 4-0 start to the 2018 season, with a meeting with the big-school Moberly Spartans approaching on Friday night.  The Lawson Cardinals are in the third spot, with 48.83 points.  This week, Todd Dunn’s squad, for Homecoming at LHS, host North Platte.  The Lexington Minutemen are 4-0, including road wins at Trenton (Week 2) and Brookfield (Week 4).  Kyle Barkley’s team opens MRVC play this week against the 2-2 Holden Eagles.  Lexington has 47 1/4 points nearing the midway point of the regular season.

Carrollton is 5th (2-2 record, 31.92 points), with Trenton (1-3, 23.5) sixth, Brookfield (0-4, 22.08) seventh, and Richmond (0-4, 22) eighth.  Carrollton plays Knob Noster, Trenton plays at Princeton, Brookfield battles Centralia, and Richmond duels with Higginsville in this week’s action. 

A 4-0 start to the season has paid dividends in the Class 1, District 8 standings for the Milan Wildcats, with 46.33 points heading into this week’s rivalry game at Putnam County.  Milan is the only unbeaten team in District 8, with Marceline’s loss at Fayette putting the Tigers at #2 with 41.83 points.  Gallatin is third at 40 1/4, with South Harrison fourth at 36.83 points.  Both Bulldog teams have identical 3-1 records.

Penney High of Hamilton’s two game losing streak has the Hornets sitting in 5th place at 34 points, followed by Princeton 30.42 points and 2-2 record.  Putnam County at 20.42 points and Maysville in eighth place at 13.67.

If the season ended today, district matchups would be:

Class 2, District 8:

Richmond at Lathrop, Brookfield at Macon, Trenton at Lawson, Carrollton at Lexington

Class 1, District 8:

Maysville at Milan, Putnam County at Marceline, Princeton at Gallatin, Penney at South Harrison