De Smet, ranked No. 86 in the latest High School Football America 100 national rankings, is the 2019 Class 6 high school football state champ. The Spartans capped a perfect 14-0 season with a 35-20 win over previously unbeaten Joplin.
Joplin, which entered the game ranked No. 2 in the High School Football America Missouri Top 10, took a 12-0 lead on the top ranked team in the statewide rankings. The Eagles had a 20-14 lead early in the fourth quarter before De Smet reeled-off 21 unanswered points.
The championships completes an incredible turnaround. In Robert Steeples first year as head coach in 2017, De Smet finished 1-9.
