Sectional playoff games will take place across the state in Class 5 and Class 6 this Saturday with eight teams in each classification fighting to punch their ticket to the state playoffs. 

Prior to the start of District play, our staff extensively broke down each of the Districts in our individual preview stories. You can find each of those below and within we’ll have more information about each of these eight champions. 

+ Class 6, District 8
+ Class 6, District 7
+ Class 6, District 6
+ Class 6, District 5
+ Class 6, District 4
+ Class 6, District 3
+ Class 6, District 2
+ Class 6, District 1
+ Class 5, District 8
+ Class 5, District 7
+ Class 5, District 6
+ Class 5, District 5
+ Class 5, District 4
+ Class 5, District 3
+ Class 5, District 2
+ Class 5, District 1

Now, as the next round of the postseason is set to start, we’ve taken a look at each of the eight teams playing in the Class 5 sectionals on Saturday. Below you’ll learn about how these eight clubs got here, a few names to know, their upcoming opponent, and more. 

CLASS 5 SECTIONALS PREVIEW 

+ Festus (25-7): Festus looks to make their way back to a third state final appearance behind great pitching, and a scorching hot offense. Throughout their District tournament, Festus scored 11 runs in two out of their three games lead by Hayden Bates (2024; John A Logan) who has upped his season slash to .434/.547/.671 and speedster Brady Nolen (2025) who’s season total on stolen bases is now up to 27 behind a .358 batting average. During their past games Tigers pitcher Mason Schirmer (2025; Mizzou) pitched over 12 innings allowing only three runs, posting a 1.70 ERA during that time. Schirmer was dominant on both sides of the ball this past week also posting a .636 BA and driving in five runs. They have another talented southpaw in sophomore Jackson Smith (2026), who owns a 0.73 ERA over 48 innings of work. After shutting out a good Hillsboro (19-13) team, the Tigers are looking to continue their title defense against Webster Groves on Saturday morning. 

+ Webster Groves (19-13): The Statesmen's impressive 2024 campaign now owns a District championship, blanking John Burroughs in the title game to punch their ticket into sectionals. Quality pitching was the key to the Statesmen’s success where they only allowed one run over the three games, highlighted by a complete game effort from senior Henry Biffar (2024; McKendree). When it comes to speed, this team is one of the best, and Webster Groves always has opponents on their toes with seven players posting 10+ stolen bases, with Joe Callas (2024; STL CC) (21) and Jackson Torbit (2024) leading the team with 24. Everyone seemed to get a turn at the plate this weekend for the Statesman, where 15 different players got at bats, and most took full advantage of their opportunities. Isaiah Fee-Wiley (2025) brought five runs in on a 3-for-3 performance. Webster Groves will try to continue its hot streak on the year with a matchup against the reigning Class 5 state champions at home on Saturday. 

+ Rockwood Summit (22-11): Rockwood Summit backed up last year’s District championship with another under their belt this spring, taking down Parkway North (24-0), Parkway Central (6-3), and Ladue (3-0) en route. The Falcons dominated their district opponents scoring 33 runs while only allowing three through their games last week. Their offense was led by Tyler Metz (2024) who batted .667 through the games along with Jackson Miller (2025). Their pitching was led behind a strong performance from Wyatt Schneider (2026) who threw seven scoreless innings and only allowed three hits in his outing. They’ve played a tough schedule to date, but perhaps their most daunting opponent lies ahead with a matchup against Fort Zumwalt South looming. 

+ Ft. Zumwalt South (29-4): After receiving the third place trophy last year, the Bulldogs are one of the best and hottest teams in the state of Missouri. They’ve won 15 games in a row and have expectations that fall nothing short of a championship finish. Zumwalt South navigated through a tough District, beating St. Charles (6-0), Warrenton (6-2), and Fort Zumwalt East (4-1) to claim their third title in four years. Connor Mendell (2024; Northern Illinois) continued his stellar senior season, slashing .432/.561/.695 on the year with 15 doubles and 31 RBI. On the other side of the ball, the pitching for the Bulldogs has been lights out. Staff ace Carter Cox (2024; Northern Illinois) has thrown just shy of 50 innings and maintained a 0.85 ERA with a slew of dominant efforts. Aside from Cox, Connor Henke (2024; St. Charles), Evan Fulhorst (2024; Valparaiso), and Jacksen Tankersley (2024; St. Charles) have all thrown the ball well, and they’re all key pieces of what Fort Zumwalt South does on offense, too. Standing in their way of another trip to Ozark is a Rockwood Summit (22-11) club that won’t be an easy out. 

+ St. Francis Borgia (22-8): The Knights are back in sectionals after finishing as runner-ups last spring and they’re the only non No. 1 overall seed to win their District in Class 5. Borgia blanked Capital City (1-0) and Helias Catholic (5-0) before beating top-seed Union (6-5) in the title game. Leading them on both sides of the ball is arguably the most productive player in the state in Jack Nobe (2024; Xavier), who holds a 0.60 ERA over 46 ⅔ innings pitched, punching out 76, and is also slashing .456/.550/.800 with eight home runs. Their depth of arms extends past Nobe, with Caden Carroll (2024; Truman State) and Reagan Kandlbinder (2024; Southwest Baptist) both throwing the ball well. Kandlbinder and Drew Eckhoff (2025) are each real pieces in the Knights’ lineup. Borgia’s opponents don’t get any easier as they’ll travel to Willard (31-5) for a matchup with the top-ranked Tigers. 

+ Willard (31-5): All the success speaks for itself with this Willard program; a state championship in 2021, third place in 2022, and a district championship loss last year against Glendale who is now in Class 6. Willard posted three straight shutouts in their district tournament including a 6-0 win against a quality Branson (26-11) team. The Tigers spent the entirety of this season in our ‘Large School’ top-15 rankings, and have proven that they deserved it. They play as a unit offensively, executing the smallest details of the game with a full-on team based approach. Willard’s strength lies on the mound, where they have an even blend of talent and depth, headlined by Cameron Jennings (2024; College of the Ozarks) and Hayden Larson (2024; Fort Scott CC). They’ll host Jack Nobe (2024; Xavier) and St. Francis Borgia (22-8) on Saturday in what may be their toughest draw to date. 

+ Webb City (26-7): Webb City is one of the best schools in all of Class 5, and for good reason. After being district champs in 2021, and losing a tough bronze medal game against a potential future opponent in Ft. Zumwalt South, the Cardinals are looking to take it all back this year. This program has accomplished a lot over the last three seasons and this year’s group may be their deepest yet. They scored 28 runs and allowed only four en route to a District championship, beating Grandview (14-2), Belton (11-1), and Carl Junction (3-1). Their offense is an experienced bunch that spans from top to bottom with no tough outs at all. Luke Beverlin (2025), Landon Fletcher (2025), and Brett Korth (2024) lead the Cardinals on the mound as well. The Cardinals will play a hot Kearney (28-7) club this upcoming weekend. 

+ Kearney (28-7): The back-to-back district champs are here to take their run to the next level. The Bulldogs swept through Creekside last weekend, extending their win streak to 13 games, and scoring 37 runs while allowing three in that process. Kearney’s lineup is as deep as any you’ll find in Class 5 and the contributions they’ve gotten on the mound to back up their lineup has been a huge reason for their success. The Bulldog’s 9-1 win in the district championship was nothing short of a team effort, pitcher Elijah Helberg (2025) pitched five innings striking out five, and Carson Shear (2024; Missouri Western State), Garrett Hodge (2025), Trent Dostal (2025) and Bryson Morrison (2024) all had multiple hits. Kearny has proven themselves to be one of the top teams in the state of Missouri, but faces a new challenge in the red hot Webb City Cardinals (26-7) on Saturday. 

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