There will be MSHSAA sectional contests all around Jefferson City tonight.
The Jefferson City Jays and Helias Crusaders will both be hosting baseball playoff contests, while the Helias Lady Crusaders will be at home in a soccer playoff game.
At 6 p.m., the Jays (27-2) will face the Willard Tigers (24-4) at Vivion Field as Jefferson City will look to start another run to the Class 5 Final Four after having finished second in the state last season.
Jefferson City, the No. 1 seed, won the District 9 title last week by beating Sedalia Smith-Cotton 10-0 in the semifinals and Hickman 6-2 in the title game.
Willard was the No. 1 seed in the District 10 Tournament and took the title with a 4-3 semifinal victory against Rolla and a 13-8 decision against Hillcrest in the championship contest.
This is a rematch of last year's sectional, where the Jays posted a 5-2 victory against the Tigers in Willard.
The Jefferson City-Willard winner will take on either Kickapoo (19-9) or Webb City (21-8) in the quarterfinals Thursday. The Jays would host Kickapoo or play at Webb City.
The Jays have spent the season No. 1 in the Class 5 state rankings by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association. Willard was No. 7 in the final regular-season rankings.
At 5 p.m., the Crusaders (17-6) will square off against the Bolivar Liberators (16-8) in a Class 4 baseball contest at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
Helias captured the District 9 title in marathon fashion last week, edging the Blair Oaks Falcons 5-4 in 16 innings. The Crusaders, who were the No. 1 district seed, defeated Southern Boone 11-1 in the district semifinals.
Bolivar won the District 10 title as the No. 2 seed. The Liberators blanked Buffalo 12-0 in the semifinals before topping top-seeded Clinton 4-2 in the title game.
Helias and Bolivar met in the Class 4 District 10 title game last season, with the Crusaders posting a 5-1 win in 11 innings. Helias then defeated Salem 12-4 in the sectional round before falling 9-4 to Aurora in the quarterfinals.
The Helias-Bolivar winner will meet either Aurora (23-3) or Monett (21-4) in the quarterfinals Thursday. With a victory today, Helias would host Aurora or play at Monett.
Helias ended the regular season ranked No. 7 in Class 4, while Bolivar was receiving votes in the poll.
At 5 p.m., the Lady Crusaders (12-10) will host the Notre Dame de Sion Storm (20-0) at the 179 Soccer Park.
Helias advanced to the playoffs by winning the Class 3 District 9 championship last week. The top-seeded Lady Crusaders blanked Marshall 10-0 before besting Camdenton 2-1 to take the title.
Notre Dame de Sion captured the District 10 crown with a pair of shutouts, blanking Grandview 10-0 in the semifinals before topping host Harrisonville 6-0 in the title contest.
Helias and Notre Dame de Sion played in the sectional round last season in Kansas City, with the Storm posting a 3-0 victory on its way to its second straight state title. The Storm won all four of its playoff games last year via shutout.
The Helias-Notre Dame de Sion winner will face either Grain Valley (21-4) or Kearney (18-4) in the quarterfinals Saturday. With a win tonight, Helias would host Grain Valley or play at Kearney.
Notre Dame de Sion was No. 1 in all three rankings this season by the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches Association.