5 games to watch in the 2024 Missouri high school football season

Here's a look at five Missouri high school football games that should be on your radar for the 2024 season

The Republic Tigers take on the Cardinal Ritter Lions in the Class 5 State Championship football game at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. / Nathan Papes/Springfield News-Leader /

We are less than a month away from the start of the 2024 Missouri high school football season, making it time to start talking about which matchups stand out on the regular season slate.

Whether it's another chapter between two heated rivals, a state title rematch, or a showdown between reigning champions in different classifications, a few games always catch your eye when looking ahead to the upcoming season.

You can pick out your own must-see games with schedules for all teams in every MSHSAA classification on SBLive Missouri, but here is a look at five games that get us excited for the 2024 Missouri high school football season.

1. Cardinal Ritter vs. Jackson - August 30

The season doesn't take long to heat up as reigning Class 5 champion Cardinal Ritter kicks off its road to a repeat at home against Jackson in Week 1.

Jackson finished 2023 ranked No. 10 in the final SBLive Top 25 Missouri high school football rankings, but the Fighting Indians lost to Christian Brothers in the Class 6 state quarterfinals.

2. Christian Brothers vs. Bryant (AR) - September 6

Speaking of Christian Brothers, the Cadets will look return to the Class 6 state title game again this year, but they'll face an exciting early season test in September when they host one of the best teams in the history of Arkansas high school football.

Bryant was upset in the Class 7A semifinals in 2023, but before that, the Hornets had won five consecutive state titles in Arkansas's highest classification.

3. Christian Brothers at De Smet Jesuit - September 20

Things don't get much easier for Christian Brothers after the Bryant game as just two weeks later the Cadets travel to face De Smet Jesuit in a rematch of last year's state semifinals.

De Smet only lost that game by three points, so the Spartans will definitely have this grudge match in front of their home fans circled on their calendars.

4. Lee's Summit North at Liberty North - October 11

This has been a fun rivalry to watch in recent years as the programs have become two of the best in the Kansas City area with a combined three straight trips to the Class 6 championship game.

Liberty North, which won its first state title last fall after finishing third in 2021, is 36-4 since the start of the 2021 season. Lee's Summit North, which finished second in 2022, is 33-5 since the start of the 2021 season.

Lee's Summit North broke a four-game losing streak against Liberty North to open last season, but then had to watch as Liberty North won its first state title.

5. Cardinal Ritter vs. Lutheran North - October 25

Cardinal Ritter faces one final test before the playoffs when the Lions host Lutheran North in the final week of the regular season.

The Crusaders were ranked No. 9 in the final 2023 rankings, but they lost to No. 8 Hillsboro in the Class 4 state semifinals.

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Want more Missouri high school football coverage? Check out our list of Missouri's top 2025 high school football recruits.

You can find schedules for teams in every state on SBLive.

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-- Sam Brown | sam@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports