By Jim Fryar

jfryar@joplinglobe.com

Big 8 Conference rivals Monett and Cassville have already had one memorable encounter this season.

The encore arrives Monday night, in the sectional round of the Class 3 state prep football playoffs.

Monett, ranked second in the state, risks its 11-0 record against visiting Cassville, 8-3.

Monett won the first meeting 13-7 in a District 3-11 opener on Oct. 17.

“It seems like we just got done playing,” said David Large, Cassville coach. “We’ve gotten better. But, at the same time, I think they’ve gotten better, too.”

The first Monett-Cassville game marked the first start at quarterback for versatile Monett senior Kellen Bounous. He was replacing Michael Roberts, who went out for the season with an injury in the previous game.

“They’ve gotten experience, we’ve gotten experience, we’ve both gelled,” said Alan Spencer, Monett coach. “They’re back on a run again.”

The major difference will be the comfort level for Bounous, who had divided time between receiver, running back and defense.

“It looks like he’s gotten more used to being back there,” Large said. “Now their offense looks like it’s clicking, kind of like it was when Roberts was back there.”

Spencer couldn’t agree more.

“He makes things happen,” the Monett coach said of Bounous. “When he’s around the ball, it’s pretty electric. ... He’s a hybrid, a running back-quarterback guy. He’s had four 100-yard rushing games and he’s completing 64 percent of his passes.”

Bounous has added an element to an already widely diverse Monett attack, which has been led statistically by junior back Christian Privett’s 20 touchdowns. Senior Scotty Wilson, however, has 10 scores on just 32 touches.

That kind of firepower may give Monett a potential edge in what could be another close game dominated by defense and decided by one or two big plays.