SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Missouri Southern’s 1972 NAIA national championship football team was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
“This honor is well-deserved and representative of the fine student-athletes and coaches that I had the privilege of working with,” said former MSSU head coach and athletic director Jim Frazier. “I am very proud of this special group of young men.”
The 1972 Lions won the NAIA Division II Championship by defeating Northwestern College of Iowa, 21-14, in Joplin. Under the direction of Frazier, the team finished the season with a perfect 12-0 record.
Led by quarterback Ray Harding, tackles Terron Jackson and Charles Hendricks, linebacker Barry Korner and defensive back Jack Duda, the Lions blitzed through the regular season en route to the national championship.
The team started the season 4-0 with wins on the road at Fort Hays State and the College of Emporia, as well as home wins against Southeast Missouri and Missouri S&T. The team then went on the road and took out NCAA Division I Nevada-Las Vegas, 7-0. Duda ended that game for the Lions with an interception in the end zone to seal the shutout.
Southern finished the regular season with a perfect record of 10-0, including wins over Pittsburg State, Washburn, Emporia State, Missouri Western and Culver-Stockton.
The Lions faced Doan College in the opening round of the playoffs at historic Junge Field. A downpour made the natural grass field a mud pit, but the Southern defense held steady and limited Doane to just six yards rushing and 37 yards in the air in the 24-6 win.
The national championship game would also be held in Joplin at Junge Field. The Raiders of Northwestern College in Iowa came to town. Southern trailed by a point with three minutes to go in the game when the defense forced Northwestern to punt. The punt went into the end zone and the Lions’ Sam Kealoha pounced on it for the touchdown. A two-point conversion from Terry Starks and a late interception from Duda sealed the 21-14 win.
The game served as a first for both Southern and the state of Missouri, as the Lions became the first collegiate football team in the state to win a national championship.
Members of the team included Jerry Adkinson, Neal Alkire, Kerry Anders, Ron Barnes, Joe Balentine, John Busalacki, George Bruto, Larry Cameron, John Carter, Mike Cole, Bob Danner, Jack Duda, Doug Efird, David L. Evans, David S. Evans, Randy Fidler, Marty Galbraith, Fred Gnerlich, Randy Hacker, Roger Hall, Steve Hamilton, Ray Harding, Todd Heflin, Charles Hendricks, Larry Hill, Tyrone Hill, Randy Hocker, John Howard, Ken Howard, Terron Jackson, Jack Jewsbury, Sam Keohala, Barry Korner, John LaBlank, Mike Mitchell, Max Mourglia, Steve Muehling, Jim Nieman, Dennis Pendergrass, Bill Ruble, Ed Ryan, Paul Sallie, Terry Starks, Kent Stracke, Jack Varns, Steward Ward, John Watson, Melvin Wilson, and Jeff Wolverton. In addition to Frazier coaches were Tony Calwhite, Charlie Wade, Jim Hoots and Ed Wuch. Managers were Ron McReynolds, Doug Guier, Henry Moyer, and Doug Dodd.
The 1972 football team joins eight individuals and one other team with ties to Missouri Southern to be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Also in the HOF are Sallie Beard, Robert Corn, Pat Lipira, Tom Rutledge, Anita Rank Oplotnik, Rod Smith, Warren Turner, Patty Vavra and the Missouri Southern women’s track and field and cross country programs.
Joining the 1972 football team in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday were former Central Missouri quarterback Eric Czerniewski, former St. Louis football Cardinal Terry Metcalf, Branson radio’s Scott McCaulley and Midway coach Larry Burchett and the Midway football program.
Webb City graduate Mark Smith was recognized as an Elite 11 honoree. The Elite 11 honors former high school, college and professional players who made positive contributions to the sport or those who have contributed in meaningful way to the game.
Day: October 20, 2020
Softball: Eagles, Tigers named to All-Class 5 District 6 team
Joplin and Carthage had athletes recognized on the All-Class 5 District 6 softball team. The entire team is listed below. Kickapoo won the district title.
FIRST TEAM
Carthage: Landry Cochran, Natalie Rodriguez, Makayla Jennings, Jensyn Elder.
Joplin: Elizabeth Snider, Izzy Yust.
Kickapoo: Taylor Akers, Kate Pierce, Jaden LaBarge, Chloe Merced, Ellie Facklam.
Nixa: Emma Vincent, Maddy Meierer, Phoebe Gardner.
Ozark: Kenya Mayfield, Emily Schmucker.
Republic: Kaitlyn Ragsdale, A.J. Fenske, Mara Lakey.
SECOND TEAM
Carthage: Presley Probert, Katie Crowe.
Joplin: Bailey Ledford.
Kickapoo: Maggie McKee, Megan Dancey, Karli Facklam.
Nixa: Katie Faulk, Sara Sweaney.
Ozark: Maddy Spies, Raegan Dickinson.
Republic: Emmalee Essary, Jenna Belcher.
Soccer: Neosho is top seed, host for district tourney
The Neosho Wildcats are the top seed and the host for the Class 3 District 12 soccer tournament.
The tournament will held at the Neosho Sports Complex.
The semifinals will be held on Oct. 31. No. 1 seed Neosho takes on No. 4 Carl Junction at 2, with No. 2 Webb City taking on No. 3 McDonald County at 4.
The district title match will be held at 6 on Nov. 3.
Neosho is currently ranked 20th nationally by MaxPreps.
GOLF: McDonald County’s Allman in third, with Carthage’s Bryant in a tie for 10th after first day of Class 3 state tournament
After a season filled with sunshine and warm weather, Mother Nature was quite fickle to the participants on the first day of the Missouri Class 3 girls state golf tournament on Monday at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club.
The prep athletes woke up to wet, windy conditions with brittle temperatures in the low to mid 40s, which forced a lot of golfers to adjust on the fly as they chased the ultimate prize—a state title.
Following the completion of the first round, Rockwood Summit’s Isabelle Thrall and Ladue Horton’s Grace Claney sit atop the individual leaderboard after both golfers scored an 8-over-par 80.
Sitting just one stroke off the lead and all alone in third place is McDonald County senior Lily Allman after she posted a 42-39—81.
“It’s totally different from what we’ve played all year,” Allman said of the weather on Monday. “That is what state is like every year, so it’s kind of hard. It has its challenges, but you just have to realize everyone is playing in the same conditions and just do the best that you can.”
“I think it got colder as we went, to be honest with you,” Allman continued with a laugh. “The rain just soaks in and it gets colder. I am always cold, so I was definitely layered up today, which is weird, too, because I usually just play in my polo during the season. I hope tomorrow is better, and I think it’s supposed to be.”
Allman opened with four pars in the first six holes before finishing four over on the final three holes to head into the turn with a 42. Allman had four pars and four bogeys on the back, and added a birdie on the par-5 15th hole.
“I think I started pretty solid,” Allman said of her round. “I did not finish very well on the front nine. I putted pretty well today, with the exception of a few holes, but my iron game wasn’t the best. I hit my drives pretty decent on a few holes, but I was definitely proud of my putting stroke today, and it helped me in some areas.”
After slightly cutting her drive down the middle of the fairway on hole 15, Allman hit a 5-hybrid to leave her with 75 yards to the green for her third shot. She stuck a wedge within eight feet of the pin, sinking her left-to-right putt to finish the hole under par.
Any time you are battling less-than-ideal playing conditions, finding a birdie on the scorecard can be a tremendous confidence boost, particularly when it comes near the end of a round leading into the second day of action.
“When I got that birdie, I was back to one over par on the back nine,” Allman said. “That definitely gave me confidence moving forward.”
“I just want to take it one shot a time,” Allman continued about her plan for the second day of the state tournament. “I really feel like I get ahead of myself a lot, and I think that hurts me in some areas. I need to try to not overthink it and just go out and hit the ball.”
Allman is scheduled to tee off in the final group of the second round on the first hole at 10:09 a.m.
BRYANT TIED FOR 10TH TO LEAD CARTHAGE, WEBB CITY GOLFERS
Sitting in a two-way tie for 10th place after the first day of action is Carthage junior Hailey Bryant, who carded a 43-44—87 on the opening day of the state tournament.
“It was not my best (round),” Bryant said when assessing her play. “I am not very happy with it, but I have a whole other day tomorrow to improve. The conditions today didn’t allow me to do some things I wish I could have. I am just ready to get going tomorrow.”
Bryant had four pars on the front nine, three bogeys and two double bogeys. On the back, Bryant finished with two pars, six bogeys and one double.
“It was just a lot of scrambling today,” Bryant said. “Even though some of the holes in the middle weren’t as good as they would be normally, with the conditions of the wind and the rain, it wasn’t that bad. ”
Bryant finishes up her state tournament with a second-round 9:42 a.m. tee time on the first hole.
“I am ready to play like I know I can,” Bryant said. “I am ready to get out there and swing, shed some layers and hopefully not have to worry too much about the wind. I don’t think it will be as bad tomorrow, so I am just ready to go out there and play like I know I can.”
Also in action on the first day for Carthage were senior Rylee Scott and junior Caitlin Derryberry. Scott is in a four-way tie for 20th after carding a 48-44—92. She had two pars, three bogeys and four double bogeys on the front nine, while posting four pars on the back along with two bogeys and three doubles.
Derryberry is in 66th place with a first-day score of 57-58—115. She finished with two bogeys and seven double bogeys on the front to go along with one par, three bogeys and five double bogeys on the back.
For Webb City, junior Sydney French is in a three-way tie for 62nd. She posted a first-round score of 55-57—112. French had four bogeys and five double bogeys on the front nine, while recording three bogeys and six doubles on the back.
Webb City senior Sarah Oathout shot a 67-69—136 on the first day and sits in 72nd.
CLASS 2 STATE TOURNAMENT
Several local golfers participated in the opening round of the Missouri Class 2 state tournament at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club in Clinton, Missouri.
Nevada’s Kate Pennington is in a three-way tie for 65th place with Carl Junction’s Rylee Sprague and Odessa’s Sydney Stevens. Pennington carded an opening-round score of 59-59—118, while Sprague shot a 58-60—118.
Cassville’s Chloe Moller is in 68th with a 67-55—122, while Nevada’s Paige Hertzberg (67-64—131) is in 73rd. Nevada’s Riley Severance (64-68—132) is in 74th, and Carl Junction’s Anna Burch (62-72—134) is in 75th.
Football: Carthage, Webb City still 1-2 in rankings
Carthage and Webb City remained first and second, respectively, in the Missouri Media’s Class 5 prep football rankings.
Lamar is No. 2 in Class 2 and Cassville is No. 8 in Class 3.
The full polls are listed below.
Missouri Media football rankings
Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King, The Daily Journal; Jason Peake, SOMO-Sports.com; Brian Rosener, Poplar Bluff Daily American Republic.
**Only teams that have played games this season are eligible for rankings.**
First-place votes in parenthesis.
CLASS 6
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. DeSmet (10), 2-0, 100, 1
2. Raymore-Peculiar, 7-1, 88, 4
3. CBC, 2-1, 82, 3
4. Liberty, 7-1, 67, 2
5. Francis Howell, 6-1, 55, 5
6. Rockhurst, 4-3, 45, 6
7. Nixa, 7-1, 39, 8
8. Marquette, 3-0, 32, 9
9. Liberty North, 5-2, 19, NR
10. Holt, 7-1, 18, 10
Dropped out: No. 7 Lee’s Summit West
Also receiving votes: Fox (6-1), 4; Lee’s Summit West (5-3), 1
CLASS 5
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Carthage (8), 7-0, 97, 1
2. Webb City, 7-1, 88, 2
3. Jackson (2), 8-0, 85, 3
4. Battle, 5-1, 68, 5
5. Platte County, 7-1, 53, 6
6. Fort Zumwalt North, 7-1, 46, 7
7. Belton, 7-0, 38, 8
8. Grain Valley, 7-1, 35, 4
9. Farmington, 7-1, 24, 9
10. Chaminade, 2-0, 9, 10
Also receiving votes: Park Hill South (6-2), 7
CLASS 4
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Jefferson City Helias (10), 8-0, 100, 1
2. West Plains, 8-0, 90, 2
3. Moberly, 7-1, 78, 4
4. Hannibal, 6-1, 65, 5
5. Festus, 7-1, 60, 3
6. Smithville, 6-2, 47, 6
7. Bolivar, 6-2, 45, 7
8. Warrensburg, 6-1, 29, 10
9. Harrisonville, 6-2, 15, NR
10. Lincoln College Prep, 5-2, 12, 9
Dropped out: No. 8 Winnetonka
Also receiving votes: Logan-Rogersville (6-2), 8; Mexico (4-3), 1
CLASS 3
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Lutheran North (10), 3-0, 100, 1
2. Valle Catholic, 8-0, 87, 2
3. Odessa, 7-0, 80, 3
4. Blair Oaks, 7-1, 72, 4
5. Centralia, 7-0, 56, 5
6. Kennett, 8-0, 51, 6
7. St. Mary’s, 1-1, 37, 7
8. Cassville, 6-2, 19, 10
T9. Maryville, 5-3, 16, NR
T9. Oak Grove, 5-1, 16, 8
Dropped out: No. 9 Southern Boone
Also receiving votes: Southern Boone (4-3), 7; Richmond (6-1), 5; Cardinal Ritter (0-2), 2; Park Hills Central (7-1), 1; St. Clair (6-0), 1
CLASS 2
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Palmyra (5), 8-0, 95, 1
2. Lamar (5), 6-1, 94, 2
3. Lutheran St. Charles, 4-1, 75, 3
4. St. Pius X (KC), 7-0, 74, 4
5. Lexington, 8-0, 59, 7
6. Butler, 7-0, 43, 6
7. Lafayette County, 6-2, 37, 5
8. Duchesne, 6-1, 33, 9
9. Monroe City, 6-2, 22, 10
10. Clark County, 3-3, 13, 8
Also receiving votes: MV-Liberty (6-2), 2; Bowling Green (5-3), 1; Lawson (5-2), 1; Warsaw (3-1), 1
CLASS 1
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Mid Buchanan (10), 8-0, 100, 1
2. Hayti, 7-0, 89, 2
3. Thayer, 6-1, 81, 3
4. Windsor, 8-0, 69, 4
5. Marionville, 8-0, 54, 6
6. Skyline, 7-1, 37, 8
7. Marceline, 7-1, 36, NR
8. Milan, 7-1, 25, 10
9. East Buchanan, 5-2, 23, 7
10. Westran, 7-1, 14, 5
Dropped out: No. 9 South Harrison
Also receiving votes: Adrian (6-1), 13; Lockwood (6-1), 6; Harrisburg (6-2), 3.
With seven straight wins, Webb City has momentum on its side
It’s safe to say the Webb City Cardinals have put a Week 1 setback behind them.
Heading into Friday’s regular season finale, the Cardinals have won seven straight games and have outscored their opponents 271-72 during that span.
With the postseason quickly approaching, Webb City has built plenty of momentum.
“We just try to get better each week and we want to be the best team we can be by Week 10,” Webb City coach John Roderique said. “It’s all a process of working through the season and trying to play your best at the end. We had to get the kids in the right place mentally to understand that. They’ve continued to work to get better and that’s the name of the game”
The Cardinals hiked their record to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in the COC with Friday’s 48-13 win at Ozark.
The Cardinals recorded 462 yards, with 339 rushing and 123 passing. Senior running back Devrin Weathers surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season.
Although the Tigers managed just two scores, Ozark was able to rack up 269 rushing yards.
“We felt pretty good about the win, but there are some mixed feelings,” Roderique said. “I think we feel good about our offense’s performance. Defensively, we did some really good things. We got some turnovers, which was good. But I don’t think we played as well in some areas defensively. I think if you asked all of our coaches they wouldn’t be too happy with how many rushing yards we gave up.”
The Cardinals will look to extend their winning streak to eight when they host Willard on Friday at Cardinal Stadium.
Now 2-6, Willard edged Neosho 27-20 in overtime on Friday. Willard’s other win came against Joplin, 32-20, in Week 5.
Roderique noted his team will not look past the Tigers.
“That old adage about anybody can beat anybody has probably never been more true in our league than this year,” Roderique said. “Willard is a young team. They lost a lot of veterans. They’re still a physical team. And one of things we’re telling our kids is Willard has beat the only team that’s beaten us. That’s one thing we need to remind our kids of.”
DISTRICT STANDINGS
Webb City is on top of the Class 5 District 6 standings with 48.48 points. Undefeated Carthage is second (46.59), with Ozark (35.52) third. Branson (27.33), Republic (25.27) and Neosho (14.09) round out the district standings.
COC RACE
Carthage (7-0) is the lone undefeated team in the Central Ozark Conference ahead of Week 9, and the Tigers take on Nixa (7-1) this week in a highly-anticipated showdown. Carthage can secure a conference championship with a win.
If the Eagles knock off the Tigers, Webb City, Nixa and Carthage would all finish with one loss in COC play.
Volleyball: College Heights tops McAuley in possible district preview
In a potential district championship preview, College Heights Christian earned a 3-1 win over host McAuley Catholic in Ozark 7 volleyball action on Monday.
The Cougars defeated the Warriors 25-12, 27-29, 25-14, 25-18.
These two teams may see each other next week with the season on the line, as the Cougars (19-3) and Warriors (13-12) are the top two seeds for the Class 1 District 8 tournament in Verona.
“Tonight was big,” College Heights coach Mary Colin said. “It was a big match. That was super fun. I thought they (McAuley) were super aggressive and they rallied when it seemed like the chips were down. They kept battling back. They forced us to do things right, which was fun.”
Asked whether she thought the two teams could collide with a district championship up for grabs next week, Colin said, “Absolutely.”
McAuley coach Darrian Haralson noted her team would love to meet the Cougars in a district title match.
“That’s what we’re hoping for,” Haralson said. “We’re going to push our hardest. And we hope and pray that we’ll get to play them.”
Haralson noted her team just came off a two-week quarantine due to COVID-related issues.
“For our first game back, we played hard and we played well,” Haralson said. “It was a tough loss. They really wanted to win that one. But College Heights is a good team. We’re doing our best. Our team pushed hard. They’re tired. It’s hard to come off a two-week leave and come into a hard game. In the end, we kind of got a little lazy and let them take it. My team really wanted to win. They just couldn’t pull through in the end and that’s a bummer.”
Senior Catie Secker did a little bit of everything for the Cougars, compiling 21 digs, 14 kills, 14 service points and seven aces.
College Heights senior libero Avery Good had a team-high 35 digs, while senior setter Sarah Painter handed out 43 assists and senior outside hitter Lainey Lett had 18 kills. Senior middle blocker Layne Jackson had five blocks.
Sophomore Lily Black led the Warriors with seven kills at the net, while classmate JoJo Wheeler had 28 digs. Senior Carmen Colson had seven assists, freshman Kloee Williamson served three aces and senior Kate Huthsing had two blocks.
The Cougars rolled in the first set, as the visitors pulled ahead 20-10 with senior Kaynahn Burk serving. Secker and Jackson had late kills in the set for the Cougars.
McAuley took an early 7-4 lead in the second set after an ace from Williamson.
The Cougars gained the momentum and appeared to be in control of the set with a 21-15 advantage. The Warriors put together a furious rally, and the score was tied at 27 after a CHC service error. McAuley scored the next two points, as Black had a block at the net before Colson served the set-ending ace.
The Cougars responded in the third set, however, leading 16-8 en route to victory after an ace from Good and a kill from Secker.
In the fourth set, College Heights led 15-10 after an ace from Burk. Late kills from Secker and a block from Jackson finished off the set and the match.
“Anytime you’re on someone else’s home court, you have to battle against momentum, the crowd and some energy, so I thought they did really well at that,” Colin said of her team.
The Cougars simply had more weapons at the net with Secker, Jackson, Lett and Emma Woodford.
“We’ve got some firepower,” Colin said. “And we’re really good servers, which is nice. We had some serving errors and that messed with our flow, but they did a good job of bouncing back.”
Both teams return to action on Tuesday night, as College Heights hosts Exeter and McAuley travels to Pierce City.
The district tournament will be held next week in Verona. The top-seeded Cougars play the Wheaton-Verona winner in the semifinals at 5 on Oct. 27. Second-seeded McAuley meets either Thomas Jefferson or Exeter at 6:15.
“It’s our first year in Class 1 and it’s going to be fun,” Colin said. “It’s all of our conference schools, so we’ve already seen everyone and played everyone, which is unusual for us because we usually go into a district having maybe played one or two of the teams.”
