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Month: October 2021

PREP FOOTBALL: Missouri Media rankings released following Week 8

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

Below are the latest Missouri Media high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

Joplin is ranked fifth in Class 6, while Carthage and Webb City are ranked second and fourth, respectively, in Class 5. 

McDonald County is now ranked 10th in Class 4, while Aurora is No. 10 in Class 3. Lamar is still No. 1 in Class 2.

 

MISSOURI MEDIA RANKINGS

First-place votes in parenthesis.

CLASS 6

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

       T1. CBC (5), 7-1, 95, 2 

       T1. Liberty North (5), 6-1, 95, 1  

  1. Lee’s Summit North, 7-1, 76, 3  
  2. DeSmet, 6-2, 69, 4
  3. Joplin, 7-1, 59, 5
  4. Nixa, 7-1, 50, 6 
  5. Park Hill South, 8-0, 36, 8 
  6. Francis Howell, 7-1, 29, 9
  7. Raymore-Peculiar, 6-2, 17, 10
  8. Hazelwood Central, 7-1, 14, 7

Also receiving votes: Lindbergh (7-1), 7; Marquette (7-1), 2; Liberty (5-3), 1 

CLASS 5

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

  1. Jackson (7), 8-0, 97, 1
  2. Carthage (3), 7-0, 92, 2  
  3. Holt, 8-0, 81, 3 

      T4. Platte County, 6-2, 57, 6  

      T4. Webb City, 5-3, 57, 5

  1. Jefferson City Helias, 7-1, 56, 7
  2. Lebanon, 7-1, 33, 4  
  3. Rockwood Summit, 8-0, 32, 10
  4. Fort Osage, 7-1, 28, 9
  5. Ladue, 7-1, 14, NR  

Dropped out: No. 8 Raytown

Also receiving votes: Grain Valley (5-3), 3

CLASS 4

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

  1. Smithville (9), 7-0, 99, 1
  2. MICDS (1), 8-0, 90, 2  
  3. Hannibal, 8-0, 81, 3
  4. West Plains, 7-1, 67, 4
  5. Union, 8-0, 59, 5
  6. Lincoln College Prep, 8-0, 49, 6
  7. Vashon, 7-0, 35, T7 
  8. McCluer, 7-1, 33, T7
  9. Hillsboro, 7-1, 18, 10
  10. McDonald County, 7-1, 15, NR  

Dropped out: No. 9 Nevada

Also receiving votes: St. Dominic (4-4), 4 

CLASS 3

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

  1. St. Mary’s (10), 6-1, 100, 2 
  2. Valle Catholic, 8-0, 90, 3
  3. Boonville, 7-1, 74, 4
  4. St. Pius X, 7-1, 71, 5
  5. Odessa, 7-1, 59, 1
  6. Lutheran North, 5-3, 50, 6 
  7. Park Hills Central, 7-1, 39, 7
  8. Blair Oaks, 6-2, 29, 8
  9. Center, 5-2, 22, 9  
  10. Aurora, 7-1, 15, 10 

Also receiving votes: Mexico (6-2), 1 

CLASS 2

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

  1. Lamar (10), 8-0, 100, 1
  2. Fair Grove, 8-0, 85, 2 
  3. Hallsville, 8-0, 84, 3 
  4. Ava, 8-0, 59, 4  
  5. Butler, 8-0, 54, 5 
  6. Lutheran St. Charles, 6-2, 49, T6 
  7. Lafayette County, 7-1, 47, T6

     T8. Duchesne, 6-2, 26, T8 

     T8. Richmond, 7-1, 26, T8 

  1. Bowling Green, 7-0, 19, 10

Also receiving votes: New Madrid County Central (6-1), 1    

CLASS 1

Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW

  1. Windsor (8), 8-0, 97, 1
  2. Mid Buchanan (2), 8-0, 90, 2 
  3. Hayti, 7-0, 79, 3 
  4. Marionville, 8-0, 73, 4
  5. East Buchanan, 7-1, 57, 5

     T6. Monroe City, 7-1, 39, 6  

     T6. Marceline, 7-1, 39, 9 

  1. West Platte, 7-1, 34, 8
  2. Fayette, 7-1, 16, NR
  3. Thayer, 6-2, 9, NR  

Dropped out: No. 7 Hamilton-Penney, No. 10 Harrisburg

Also receiving votes: Hamilton-Penney (5-3), 7; Harrisburg (7-1), 7; Skyline (5-3), 3 

STATE GOLF ROUNDUP: Carthage’s Bryant, Nevada’s Cameron, Mount Vernon’s Killingsworth fare well on Day 1

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

BRYANT TIED FOR NINTH IN CLASS 3 

NEW BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — Carthage’s Hailey Bryant is tied for ninth place after the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 3 Girls Golf Championships at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club.

On Monday, Bryant carded a 10-over-par 82. A senior, Bryant shot a 37 on the front nine and 45 on the back nine. 

Springfield Catholic’s Reagan Zibilski is in first place with a 6-under-par 66.

Webb City’s Sydney French is tied for 44th with a 99, while Carthage’s Ava Lacey is tied for 53rd with a 102 and Webb City’s Laya McAllister is tied for 60th with a 103. Webb City’s Sophia Coulson is in 77th place (110). 

The two-day event concludes on Tuesday. 

 

NEVADA’S CAMERON TIED FOR FOURTH IN CLASS 2

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Nevada’s Emree Cameron carded a 9-over-par 80 and is tied for fourth place after the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 2 Girls Golf Championships at Columbia Country Club.

A freshman, Cameron shot a 43 on the front nine and a 37 on the back nine. She’s tied with Westminster Christian’s Elizabeth Johnson.

Marshfield’s Marlene Edgeman is in first place with a 1-over-par 72. Osage’s Hanna Maschhoff is in second with a 74 and Visitation Academy’s Lucille Trover is in third place with a 78. 

Cassville’s Avery Chappell is tied for 14th with an 87, while Monett’s Claire Nation is in 44th place with a 101. 

Seneca’s Britany Adcock is in 60th place with a 111. Nevada’s Katie Pennington and Paige Hertzberg both carded 114 and are tied for 63rd, while Seneca’s Madison Babbitt is in 69th place with a 118. 

Nevada’s Riley Severance (120) is tied for 72nd and Cassville’s Alyzea Myers (128) is in 77th place.

The tourney concludes on Tuesday. 

 

KILLINGSWORTH IN FIFTH PLACE IN CLASS 1

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Mount Vernon’s Kenadi Killingsworth is in fifth place after Day 1 at the Class 1 state tourney at Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club.

Killingsworth carded a 21-over-par 93 (43-50) on Monday. 

New Covenant’s Savannah Thessing is in first with an 86. 

State golf tournaments will conclude with 18 holes on Tuesday. 

GIRLS STATE GOLF: Carthage’s Hailey Bryant relaxed and ready for rare fourth trip to state

Posted on by Lucas Davis

It is a rare feat to make four appearances at the state tournament, but that is exactly what Carthage senior Hailey Bryant is doing when she gets her opening round underway on Monday morning at the 2021 Class 3 girls golf state tournament at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club.

“I am very excited,” Bryant said. “Heading to the state tournament my freshman year, I was so nervous and I felt all of this pressure. Now, I just feel very excited and ready to go.

Carthage senior Hailey Bryant will play in the fourth girls state golf tournament of her career starting Monday morning at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club. Bryant won multiple events this season, including the Central Ozark Conference Championship, and never finished lower than third place during in a regular season tournament. Photo by Israel Perez.

“It is setting in a little now that this is my senior season and my high school golf career is almost over. I know, especially on that second day, it is going to hit me those last few holes. This is where I need to show all of my abilities as much as I can.”

Of course, with this being her fourth time taking part in the state tournament, including an eighth-overall finish a year ago, Bryant has picked up some wisdom along the way. Not only does she feel her game is ready to go for the two-day tournament, her mindset is in the right place as well.

“I think (the last three state tournaments) have shown me that it’s just an end-of-the-year tournament,” Bryant said with a smile. “There is no pressure. I am just here to show I can play and put up a score that I can be proud of. … Obviously, when I first get there, I will probably be nervous. My mindset right now is very relaxed.” 

Bryant has good reason to be confident heading into the state tournament, particularly when you look at the results she posted in her final year as a Tiger. Bryant won the Papa John’s Classic as well as the Carl Junction Invitational, while taking second in the Seneca Invitational, eCarthage Invitational and Nevada Tigers Invitational. Bryant also added a third-place finish in the Joplin Invitational before going on to take first place in the Central Ozark Conference Championship with a 42-41—83.

In fact, the only time Bryant didn’t finish third or better this season was the Class 3 District 3 meet, where she finished fifth overall to earn all-district honors and punch her ticket to the state meet.

“Throughout the season, all of the tournaments have helped shape my mindset,” Bryant said. “They just show you that even at a big tournament like this, I might go out and hit a couple of bad shots but I can still put up a really good score at any time. It is very simple. It’s golf. It might not always be consistent, but you can get through it if you just keep a positive mindset.”

And while Bryant has grown accustomed to the grind of the two-day tournament, she won’t be alone on the course in her final run as a Tiger.  Fellow Carthage golfer Ava Lacey also qualified for the state tournament, and Bryant is grouped up with a friendly face for her 8:48 a.m. tee time on Monday—Webb City golfer Laya McAllister, one of three Cardinals who qualified for the state tournament, with Grain Valley’s Mallory Crane filling out the threesome.

“I am playing with (Laya) from Webb, and I am really good friends with her and we have played together since my freshman year. I could not be more excited,” Bryant said. “I love that about golf. I feel like the girls I have met understand this sport in a way a lot of teenage girls do not. 

Carthage senior Hailey Bryant works on her putting during practice on the Thursday leading up to the Class 3 girls state golf championship. Photo by Israel Perez.

“And I love knowing that there is a sophomore from our team going, too. That is fantastic. Knowing after I graduate that our team will have someone coming back with state experience, I love that for them. I am excited to see all of them there and it will make the experience so much more fun.”

Webb City’s Sydney French and Sophia Coulson are also participating in the Class 3 state tournament. 

OTHER AREA GOLFERS TAKING PART IN STATE

Nevada freshman Emree Cameron finished in first place individually as the Tigers finished in second place as a team at the Class 2 District 3 tournament at Cassville Golf Club to qualify for the Class 2 state tournament, which will be held Oct. 18-19 at the Columbia Country Club.  

Cameron scored a 6-over-par 78 to claim the district championship by two strokes, which was Cameron’s fifth individual tournament championship this season. Nevada’s Paige Hertzberg, Katie Pennington and Riley Severance will join Cameron.

Cassville’s Avery Chappell and Alyzea Myers will also play in the state tournament, as will Monett’s Claire Nation and Seneca’s Britany Adcock and Madison Babbitt.

 

GIRLS TENNIS: Thomas Jefferson’s Ding earns state medal

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Thomas Jefferson’s Allison Ding ended the 2021 season on a high note.  

As a result, the sophomore standout is a state medalist. 

Allison Ding

Competing in the Class 1, Ding defeated Bolivar’s Sophia Vestal 6-1, 7-6 (4) in the singles bracket’s seventh-place match on Saturday at the 47th MSHSAA Girls Tennis Championships at the Cooper Tennis Complex.

Ding went 2-1 on Friday to lock up a top eight finish. 

In a hard-fought opening round match, Duchesne’s Mary Beckemeier edged Ding 3-6, 7-6, 10-8. Beckemeier ended up the state runner-up after falling to Whitfield’s Ellior Rose in the championship match.

In the consolation round, Ding defeated Lutheran South’s Emma Peper 6-1, 6-0. In the consolation quarterfinals, Ding beat Harrisonville’s Morgan Evans 7-5, 6-4 to stay alive in the tourney.

On Saturday morning, Ding suffered a 6-0, 6-1 loss to Kennett’s Anelle Harris in the consolation semifinals. The loss sent Ding to the seventh-place match. Harris went on to win the fifth-place match. 

PREP SOFTBALL: Nevada captures district championship

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

HARRISONVILLE, Mo. — Top-seeded Nevada hammered second-seeded Warrensburg 11-1 on Friday in the championship game of the Class 4 District 7 softball tournament.

Nevada advanced to the quarterfinals, where they’ll host Platte County on Thursday at Bushwhacker Field. 

The Tigers took control of the district title game early, as Nevada plated four runs in both the first and second innings. 

Warrensburg pushed across a single tally in the fifth, but Nevada answered with three runs in the bottom half to end the game early via the run-rule. 

Peyton Eaton was the winning pitcher. She scattered four hits and struck out four in five innings. 

The Tigers had 10 hits. Bailey Ast, Skyler Burns, Kirstin Buck and Eaton had two hits apiece. 

Kara Phillips drove in three runs, while Claire Pritchett and Buck had two RBI apiece. Ast scored three runs from the leadoff spot, while Burns, Pritchett and Buck scored two runs apiece.

The Tigers defeated fourth-seeded Harrisonville 10-3 in the semifinals. 

Nevada is now 20-10 ahead of Thursday’s playoff game.

GIRLS TENNIS: Thomas Jefferson’s Ding advances to Day 2 of state tourney; Mountaineers compete in doubles

Posted on by Jason Peake

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Thomas Jefferson’s Allison Ding survived and advanced at the 47th MSHSAA Girls Tennis Championships on Friday at the Cooper Tennis Complex.

Ding went 2-1 in the Class 1 singles bracket to earn a spot in Saturday’s finals. 

In a hard-fought opening round match, Duchesne’s Mary Beckemeier edged Ding 3-6, 7-6, 10-8.

In the consolation round, Ding defeated Lutheran South’s Emma Peper 6-1, 6-0. In the consolation quarterfinals, Ding beat Harrisonville’s Morgan Evans 7-5, 6-4 to stay alive in the tourney.

On Saturday, Ding will take on Kennett’s Anelle Harris in the consolation semifinals. 

 

MOUNT VERNON DOUBLES TEAMS COMPETE

Mount Vernon had two doubles teams competing in Class 1.

Both squads won opening round matches. 

Mount Vernon’s Isabella Mosley and Allison Schubert defeated Trenton’s Astrid Soriano and Lydia Leinger 6-3, 6-2, while Brooke Loftus and Jessah Anderson defeated Bishop LeBlond’s Emily Weddle-Payton Netten 6-4, 6-3.

In the quarterfinals, Clayton’s Riley Reeves-Riley Zimmerman beat Loftus-Anderson 6-2, 6-3 and North County’s Lucy Pace-Katelynne Jones topped Mosley-Schubert 6-4, 6-1.

In the consolation quarterfinals, Bolivar’s McKinley Hedges-Brynley Waters defeated Mosley-Schubert 6-3, 6-3 and Willow Springs’ McKylie Cox-Madisyn Perkins topped Loftus-Anderson 6-4, 7-5.

 

PREP FOOTBALL: Nixa pulls away from Carl Junction 49-21

Posted on by Lucas Davis

The final score didn’t really tell the tale of the game.

Despite falling 49-21, the Carl Junction Bulldogs (3-5) were largely competitive with the Nixa Eagles (7-1) for much of Friday night’s game.

Five interceptions and a fumble were largely the difference in the game, with the scoring being otherwise fairly even.

In fact, the Bulldogs held the lead for most of the first quarter, putting together a solid drive that took nearly 8 minutes off the clock and scoring first on a 3-yard run by quarterback Dexter Merrill  to make the score 7-0 with 3:55 left in the period.

Both teams went three and out on their following possessions and with time running out in the first quarter, the Eagles managed their first conversion of the game on a fourth-down-and-1 on a fake punt.

Nixa got on the board with 9:27 left in the half on a 30-yard pass from Connor Knatcal to Austin McCracken to tie the game at 7-7.

Nixa struck again with 6:52 in the half on a Spencer Ward 22-yard touchdown reception to go up 17-7.

On the next possession, an interception left Nixa on the Bulldog 32, but on the very next play Carl Junction returned the favor with 4:04 left in the half when CJ’s Jordan Woodruff busted a 14-yard run for a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14.

On the following kick off, however, Nixa busted loose for a massive return landing on the Bulldog 44.

With 1:42 left in the half, Ward punched it in for another TD and the Eagles were on top 21-14.

The Bulldogs attempted to answer back, but with just 18 seconds left in the half a fumble deep in their own territory set up another Nixa touchdown, and with three seconds left on the clock, a 16-yard pass to McCracken to make the score 28-14.

On the opening drive of the second half, Nixa’s Kael Combs caught a short pass and went 59 yards with 9:40 left in the quarter and after the kick the score was 35-14.

With 5:26 left in the third, a pitch to Woodruff for a 2-yard run brought the Bulldogs back at 35-21.

But just about two minutes later a pick-6 by Nixa’s Ty Harman brought the score to 42-21 with 3:31 to go in the period.

At the start of the fourth, the Bulldogs were driving but were again picked off, and a couple possessions later Nixa punched in with 2:51 left in the half from the 1 by John Gholson to make the score 49-21.

PREP FOOTBALL: Joplin survives against Branson 21-16 to get back in win column

Posted on by Lucas Davis

BRANSON, Mo. — Joplin found itself in a one-score game late but held off Branson 21-16 on Friday to get back into the win column.

Joplin (7-1) jumped out in front on its second drive of the game before Branson used a halfback pass for a big play to tie the game by the end of the first quarter. The Pirates forced the Eagles into a turnover and turned it into a field goal for a 9-6 advantage. Joplin responded with a score to take the lead into the half and added a score out of the locker room to push the lead to 19-9. Branson used a pick-6 to cut the lead to three early in the fourth quarter before Joplin forced a safety late to help seal the win.

The Eagles currently sit in third in the Class 6 District 3 standings with 40.59 points. Nixa is in second at 43.32 and Lee’s Summit North in first at 43.68.

 

Joplin running back Quin Renfro eyes running room in the Eagles’ win over Branson on Friday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

Joplin took the initial lead after marching down the field on its second drive to go up 6-0 on an Always Wright 5-yard touchdown run. Wright faked the second-down-and-goal handoff and kept it to the left before crossing the goal line.

Branson went to the trickeration near the end of the first quarter with running back David Hadaller connecting on a 64-yard halfback pass to Cooper Saxon for a touchdown to tie the game at 6-6. 

The Eagles looked like they would be taking the lead a few plays later when Wright found Terrance Gibson on a 50-yard deep ball up the seam before the ball was punched out from behind as Gibson crossed the 15-yard line with the Pirates recovering for a turnover.

Branson drove the ball deep into Joplin territory before a pair of penalties forced them into a 32-yard field goal try, which was converted by Cade Grimm. The make gave Branson a 9-6 lead with 3:34 to play in the first half.

After a long return down to the Branson 47 by All Wright, the Eagles were facing a fourth-down-and-6 in positive territory when Always Wright went up the near sideline to find a wide open Bruce Wilbert, who glided into the end zone for a score to give Joplin a 13-9 lead with 2:07 left to play in the first half.

Joplin scored first in the second half when RB Quinton Renfro broke off a 28-yard run for a touchdown at the 5:43 mark to give the Eagles a 19-9 advantage, making it a two-score game.

Branson climbed to within three points of the lead when Landon Atwood returned a Wright interception for a long touchdown to bring the score to 19-16 at the 10-minute mark.

Joplin turned the ball over on downs inside the Pirates’ 15-yard line on its ensuing drive, but the defense continued its strong play when DE Brayden Thomas came up with a safety for two points and possession, sealing the win.

Joplin wraps up the regular season next week, hosting Neosho at 7 p.m.

PREP FOOTBALL: Webb City upends Ozark on Senior Night

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

WEBB CITY, Mo. — On a Friday night where defensive stops were at a premium, Webb City upended Ozark 63-48 in a Central Ozark Conference shootout inside Cardinal Stadium.

“We won the game, but I don’t feel good about giving up 48 points,” Webb City coach John Roderique said. “You play to try to win games and fortunately we had more than 48 tonight.” 

The Cardinals, who improved to 5-3, recognized their seniors before the game. 

Webb City scored 19 unanswered points in the first quarter before the two teams combined to put up 92 points in the final three frames. 

“Senior Night is always special,” Roderique said. “I thought we came out with a lot of energy and excitement. Offensively, we hit some quick scores early in the game. Defensively, we shut them down early in the game. So I was really pleased with that. Then it was just trading scores back and forth. We still have to get better.” 

Webb City senior running back Dupree Jackson sprints to the end zone during Friday’s game against Ozark. Photo by Israel Perez.

NAMES & NUMBERS

Webb City’s Gavin Stowell and Kaylor Darnell look to bring down Ozark’s Kadin Powers.

Ranked fifth in Class 5, Webb City had 539 yards of offense, with 397 on the ground and 142 through the air. 

Senior Cade Wilson led Webb City’s running attack with 205 yards on 13 carries with four touchdowns. Fellow senior Dupree Jackson added 138 yards on 13 carries with three scores. 

Landon Johnson completed 6 of 8 passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Dante Washington caught two passes for 74 yards and a TD. 

Washington also had three kick returns for 152 yards.

Senior linebacker Cooper Crouch was credited with 16 tackles with two sacks. 

Ozark (2-6) recorded 546 yards of offense, with 318 passing and 228 rushing.

Jace Easley had 78 rushing yards and Jack Bowers added 62 for the Tigers. 

Brady Dodd completed 16 of 19 passes with three touchdowns and also ran for three scores. Easley had 102 receiving yards.

Ozark ran 70 plays to Webb City’s 44.  

 

GAME RECAP

Webb City senior Cade Wilson scored four touchdowns in Webb City’s win over Ozark on Friday. Photo by Israel Perez.

On the first play from scrimmage, Wilson sprinted 65 yards to the end zone. Wilson’s 3-yard scamper made it 12-0 with 7:53 left in the first period.  

Webb City’s third drive ended when Wilson sprinted 57 yards to the house, as his third touchdown and Crouch’s PAT kick made it 19-0. 

Ozark got on the board early in the second quarter, but the Cardinals answered immediately, as Jackson broke free for a 46-yard touchdown run.  

The Tigers responded with a pair of scores, a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jace Whately and a 3-yard QB keeper by Dodd.

That trimmed Webb City’s lead to 25-21 with 2:14 left in the second quarter. 

Wilson’s fourth TD of the night, a 15-yard run, followed by a two-point conversion, gave Webb City a 33-21 advantage at the conclusion of the high-scoring opening half.

The second half was nearly even, as both teams had two scores apiece in both the third and fourth quarters. 

Webb City’s third quarter scores came on a 20-yard pass to Jonah Spieker and 1-yard run by Jackson.

The Cardinals led 49-35 entering the fourth quarter, but the Tigers pulled within seven with 9:30 remaining on a QB keeper from Dodd. 

The hosts put the game away with a pair of unanswered touchdowns. Jackson scored on a 5-yard run and Washington hauled in a 39-yard pass from Johnson, extending Webb City’s lead to 63-42 with just 2:26 left on the clock.

Ozark’s Easley caught a 20-yard TD reception with 1:15 remaining for the final margin. 

 

WHAT’S NEXT?

Webb City ends the regular season at Willard (0-8) next Friday. 

 

WEBB CITY 63, OZARK 48

Ozark              0       21    14     13  — 48

Webb City    19      14    16     14   — 63

 

SCORING SUMMARY

WC: Cade Wilson 65 run (Kick failed)

WC: Wilson 3 run (Kick failed)

WC: Wilson 57 run (Cooper Crouch kick)

OZ: Jake Beets 3 run (Jace Easley kick)

WC: Dupree Jackson 46 run (Kick failed)

OZ: Jace Whately 20 pass from Brady Dodd (Easley kick)

OZ: Brady Dodd 3 run (Easley kick)

WC: Wilson 15 run (Jackson run)

OZ: Will Scheer 39 pass from Dodd (Easley kick)

WC: Jonah Spieker 20 pass from Johnson (Pass to Trey Roets)

OZ: Dodd 1 run (Easley kick)

WC: Jackson 1 run (Pass to Kaden Turner)

OZ: Dodd 1 run (Easley kick)

WC: Jackson 5 run (Washington kick)

WC: Washington 39 pass from Johnson (Washington kick)

OZ: Easley 20 pass from Dodd (Pass failed)

 

Webb City QB Landon Johnson picks up a gain on the ground on Friday night. Photos by Israel Perez.

PREP FOOTBALL: Carthage holds off Republic to stay undefeated; Guidie wins 150th as Tigers coach

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Separated by less than 18 minutes of clock time, Republic threw two passes into the Carthage end zone that, if caught, would’ve changed the course of the game immeasurably. 

With less than a minute left in the first half, a would-be game-tying touchdown fell to the ground, and the Tigers were flagged for offensive pass interference to boot.

Then, with just under seven minutes in the game, a Republic receiver failed to track down a throw that would’ve brought them within a touchdown at 28-21.

Both fourth-down plays, they instead became turnovers on downs, preserving leads for Carthage. 

Those close calls and a consistent, if incomplete, rushing attack from Republic had Jon Guidie feeling like his 150th career win as Carthage coach had been a much closer game than the 35-14 margin displayed on the scoreboard when the clock hit all zeroes.

“We knew that going in … they’re a much improved football team,” he said.  “And they played great tonight, it’s a hard offense to defend. I thought our kids in the second half bowed up a little bit and got a couple key stops for us, and that’s what we wanted at halftime; ‘Guys, come out and get a stop and we can put this thing out of reach.’”

The first drive that ended in a turnover on downs had been a 15-play slog with 13 of those going for 5 yards or less when Republic quarterback Avery Moody’s heave hit the turf. 

A few plays later, Guidie and his Tigers faced their own fourth-down dilemma from the red zone. 

At the Republic 11, quarterback Caden Kabance pitched to running back Luke Gall to the right side, then, with the attention squarely on Gall, swung out wide down the left sideline, where the junior running back gave up his full head of steam and instead threw Kabance a dart to the end zone.

“We said at halftime, ‘That was a 14-point swing right there,’” Guidie said. “We were able to get the ball, put a little drive together ourselves, went for it on fourth down, little trick play to Caden and, yeah, I think that might have been the play of the game there, that fourth down stop.”

Guidie said he and his staff had been “itching to call it” after putting the halfback pass in the gameplan on Wednesday. 

Despite the incomplete passes, Moody carried the load for Republic on offense, carrying the ball 32 times, totaling 162 yards. The slow-but-effective, marching style to Republic’s offense meant it was on the field for 64 snaps, exactly half of them Mooney runs. 

Though Republic seemed to nearly figure out the Carthage defense, Gall and Kabance did what they’ve done on the other side of the ball all season: Republic managed to stop the attack only once on the night, ironically forcing a three-and-out on a drive the Tigers began at the 50-yard line thanks to an onside kick attempt that went out of bounds.

Gall and Kabance combined for 380 total yards — of course, sharing 11 of them on the former’s pass to the latter. Gall finished with 218 yards rushing to Kabance’s 122. 

“That one-two punch of (Kabance) and Luke has been pretty special this year,” Guidie said. 

Friday night’s win sends Carthage into the final week of the regular season undefeated at 8-0. 

The Tigers will face the Nixa Eagles, 7-1, whose only loss came at the hands of Joplin, 28-25 in Week 2. 

With a win, Carthage will have its first outright Central Ozark Conference championship since 2016.

“I think it would mean a lot to these guys,” Guidie said. “They deserve it, they put the work in, they put the time in, they show up every single day with great attitudes. We had some goals at the beginning of the season and that certainly was one of them.”

 

CARTHAGE 35, REPUBLIC 14

Republic   7     0     7     0—14 

Carthage  7    14    7     7—35

SCORING SUMMARY

CAR: Luke Gall 47 run ( Chris Mejia kick)

REP: Avery Moody 4 run (Marco Donjuan kick)

CAR: Caden Kabance 2 run (Mejia kick)

CAR: Kabance 11 pass from Gall (Mejia kick)

CAR: Gall 53 run (Mejia kick)

REP: Moody 1 run (Donjuan kick)

CAR: Gall 55 run (Mejia kick)

 

DISTRICT SOFTBALL: Webb City rallies for 3-2 win over McDonald County in the district championship

Posted on by Lucas Davis

NEOSHO, Mo. — Down to their final three outs, the Webb City Cardinals rallied for three runs in the seventh inning on the way to a 3-2 win over McDonald County in the Class 4 District 6 championship game on Friday.

The Mustangs end the season with a 24-7 record and graduate seniors Madeline McCall, Melanie Gillmig, Mariana Salas, Madison Grider, Adasyn Lynch, and Zoe Parish.

IN THE CIRCLE

Laney Taylor earned the complete-game win after allowing two runs on four hits, three walks and four strikeouts in seven innings.

McCall took the tough-luck loss after giving up three runs on five hits, four walks and 11 strikeouts.

GAME ACTION

The Mustangs used the long ball to take the lead in the bottom of the second. Jacie Frencken jumped all over the first pitch she saw and drove it over the wall for a solo home run to give McDonald County a 1-0 lead.

McDonald County added insurance in the bottom of the fifth inning. Parish drew a walk with one out in the inning and came around to score later in the frame off a deep single from Nevaeh Dodson to push the lead to 2-0.

It all came down to the team’s final three outs for Webb City after going scoreless for the first six innings of play. Kaylyn Gilbert started the top of the seventh off with a triple to right-center field. Gilbert came around to score on an Emalee Lamar single to trim the lead to 2-1. 

After a lineout from Lauren Hicks for the second out and a walk to Ripley Shanks, Dawsyn Decker singled over the third baseman to load the bases. Peyton Hawkins followed with a single up the middle that got through the wickets that pushed across two runs home to give the Cardinals a 3-2 lead.

UP NEXT

Webb City hits the road for a matchup against Rolla in the quarterfinal round of the Class 4 state tournament on Oct. 21.

PREP FOOTBALL: Neosho earns first win against Willard 21-14

Posted on by Lucas Davis

NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho cashed in on its first win of the season after battling to a 21-14 win over Willard on Friday at Bob Anderson Stadium.

The Wildcats (1-7) jumped out in front in the first quarter before the Tigers (0-8) tied the game up midway through the second period. Neosho and Willard traded scores to keep the game tied before the Wildcats found the end zone with less than two minutes to play. The Wildcats held Willard from scoring in a goal-to-goal situation as time expired to preserve the win.

Neosho jumped out in front on its second drive of the game when Jared Siler broke free for a 28-yard touchdown run up the middle, weaving his way to the pylon of the end zone to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead at the 8:44 mark of the first quarter.

Willard’s Gary Walker tied the game up with a 43-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7.

Neosho battled back across with the goal line in the third quarter when Siler found paydirt for a second time with a 2-yard run near the six-minute mark to give the Wildcats a 14-7 lead.

Willard tied the game up at 14-14 with 7:45 left in the game after Tyler Janes crossed the goal line from 2 yards out.

Neosho took the lead back with less than two minutes to play when Siler rushed for a touchdown from 6 yards out to make the score 21-14 with 1:55 left to play. The touchdown was set up by a long pass from Quenton Hughes to Isaiah Green.

The Tigers drove the ball down inside the Wildcats’ 10 with time dwindling, but Neosho prevented Willard from crossing the goal line with enough stops by the time time expired.

Neosho closes out the regular season with a road matchup at Joplin on Friday.

BOYS SWIMMING: Carthage wins own invite, Joplin takes second

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

CARTHAGE, Mo. — The host Tigers won the Carthage Invitational boys swim meet on Thursday.

Carthage had 370 points and Joplin was second with 204.

Rounding out the field were Marshfield (179), Nevada (83), Hillcrest (70), Lamar (28), Seymour (21) and Parkview (17).

 

CARTHAGE RESULTS

Carthage won all three relays and also took first in five individual events. 

The Tigers won the 200-yard medley relay in 1:51, with Kellen Frieling, Braxton McBride, Will Wallace and Ezekiel Ramirez competing.

Carthage took first in the 200 freestyle relay in 1:40, with Frieling, McBride, Eli Cox and Ramirez swimming.

Cox, Landon White, Trey Nye and Wallace teamed up to win the 400 freestyle relay in 4:05. 

McBride took first in two individual events, as he won the 50 freestyle in 24.46 seconds and the 100 breaststroke in 1:13.

White won the 100 butterfly in 1:02, while Ramirez was first in the 100 freestyle (55.72) and Frieling won the 100 backstroke in 1:03. 

Finishing second in their respective events were Ramirez (200 freestyle), Wallace (200 IM) and Cox (100 fly).

Third place showings went to White (50 free), Wallace (500 free) and Noah Blackford (100 backstroke). 

Aydan Nye was fourth in the 500 freestyle and Cox took fourth in the 100 backstroke. 

Frieling was fifth in the 200 free, while Blackford took fifth in the 200 IM and Trey Nye was fifth in the 100 fly. 

 

JOPLIN RESULTS

Nathan Wardlow won two individual events for Joplin, the 200 individual medley in 2:15 and the 500 freestyle in 5:23.

The Eagles finished second in the 200 medley relay, with Wardlow, Wyatt Satterlee, Zane Newman and Ian Vermillion swimming.

The team of Parker Hinman, Oliver Bortz, Jackson Mordica and Jordan Goins finished fourth in the 200 free relay.

Vermillion took second in the 500 free in 5:54 and Hinman was the runner-up in the 100 backstroke (1:07). 

Mordica and Satterlee were second and third in the 100 breaststroke. 

Newman finished third in two events, the 200 free and the 100 butterfly.

Fourth place finishers were Hinman (200 free) and Vermillion (50 free).

 

PREP SOFTBALL: McDonald County pulls away from Neosho in Class 4 District 6 semifinals

Posted on by Lucas Davis

NEOSHO, Mo. — Top-seeded McDonald County made the most of the miscues by fourth-seeded Neosho on the way to a 13-2 win in five innings in the Class 4 District 6 semifinals on Thursday at the Neosho Athletic Complex. 

The Mustangs (24-6) plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the first before the Wildcats cut the lead in half with a run in the top of the third. McDonald County hung three runs on the board in the third before scoring eight times in the fourth to build an insurmountable cushion. Of the 13 runs scored by McDonald County, just four of them were earned as Neosho committed six errors on the night.

“From the very first inning, we made adjustments up and down the lineup to put the ball in play and put pressure on them,” McDonald County coach Heath Alumbaugh said. “In playoff softball, you have to put pressure on a defense and see what happens. We were able to do that. … It was a great team win.”

Neosho finishes the season with a 14-14 record, while graduating seniors Kaitlyn Killion, Lili Graue, Alivia Campbell and Maddie Carpenter.

McDonald County advances to the district title game for the fourth straight season and takes on third-seeded Webb City at 5 p.m. in the district finals on Friday. The contest is a rematch of last season’s district championship, with Webb City walking away with a 5-0 win.

IN THE CIRCLE

Madeline McCall earned the complete-game win after allowing two runs, one earned, on one hit, four walks and 10 strikeouts in five innings of work.

“Madeline McCall is a fierce competitor and has been for four years,” Alumbaugh said. “She is going to continue to be for however long we have her for the rest of this season. That is what she came out and did tonight. She came out and fought through it.”

Chloe Patterson started and took the loss for Neosho after allowing nine runs, three earned, on six hits, a walk and seven strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings, while Carleigh Kinnaird allowed four unearned runs on two walks in a third of an inning.

GAME ACTION

McDonald County got the scoring started in the bottom of the first when Reagan Myrick reached on a throwing error that allowed a run to cross home in the process for a 1-0 lead. The Mustangs added a second run later in the inning on an RBI groundout by Adasyn Leach to make the score 2-0.

“Early runs can be the difference,” Alumbaugh said. “It just ratchets up the pressure right away. If you have a chance to get those runs early, you have to take advantage.” 

The Wildcats cut the lead in half in the top of the third when Graue reached on the free pass before coming around to score on an RBI single by McKaylie Forrest to make the score 2-1.

The Mustangs responded in the bottom of the third, with Carlee Cooper tripling to left-center before touching home on an infield hit by Myrick to push the lead back to two runs, 3-1. A pair of runners crossed home later in the inning on a Neosho error on a fly ball with two outs to make the score 5-1.

“We challenge our girls to win or tie every inning,” Alumbaugh said about his team’s ability to answer back after giving up a run. “At times, teams are going to get the best of you and push your back against the wall. But you have to come back fighting, and I felt like we did a good job of that today.”

Neosho added a run in the top of the fourth when Maddie Carpenter scored on a wild pitch, but McDonald County once again answered back in the bottom half when Leach singled to center with the bases loaded to plate a pair of runs and push the lead to 7-2. McDonald County put the game away later in the inning when a run scored on an error before back-to-back walks with the bases loaded forced in runs to make the score 10-2. Three more runs came around to score on another fielding error with the bases loaded pushed the lead to 13-2.

AT THE PLATE

Cooper had three hits, three RBI and scored twice to lead McDonald County. Leach had one hit, three RBI and scored a run, while Nevaeah Dodson had a hit, scored twice and drove in one.

Forrest had the lone hit and RBI for Neosho.

PREP SOFTBALL: Webb City rallies back late to beat Willard in district semifinals

Posted on by Lucas Davis

NEOSHO, Mo. — Third-seeded Webb City saw a three-run lead evaporate by the sixth inning only to rebound for three runs in the seventh inning on the way to a 6-3 win over second-seeded Willard in the Class 4 District 6 semifinals on Thursday at the Neosho Athletic Complex.

The Cardinals (16-12) used home runs in the first and third innings to build a 3-0 lead over the Tigers (22-8). Willard threatened in the first four innings before breaking through for two runs in the fifth and another in the sixth to tie the game at 3-3. Webb City responded with three go-ahead runs on three hits in the seventh inning to advance to the district championship.

“They set their goals early in the preseason and this is where we want to be—the district championship game,” Webb City coach Shauna Friend said. “We want to continue what we started last year and this was a game we had to win. We knew Willard was a good team that beat us earlier in the season. Our goal was to come out and want it more than they did. It was a great, hard-fought game by both teams. The senior leadership showed through for us.”

The Cardinals advance to their fourth straight district title game and will match up against top-seeded McDonald County with a 5 p.m. matchup on Friday.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this group of seniors,” Friend said. “They are a great group of kids on the field, off the field, on the bus, wherever they’re at. It just makes me not only proud of them, but I am just thrilled for them to be able to continue on in the postseason.”

Webb City’s Laney Taylor delivers a pitch to home in the Cardinals’ win over second-seeded Willard on Thursday in the Class 4 District 6 semifinals. Photo by Israel Perez.

IN THE CIRCLE

Freshman Laney Taylor started and earned the win after allowing two runs on seven hits, a walk and a strikeout in five innings of work. Senior Peyton Hawkins allowed one run on two hits, two walks and a strikeout in two relief innings.

“Laney did a great job of coming out and throwing five solid innings to get us where we needed to be,” Friend said.  

Sydni Fletcher took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits, two walks and six strikeouts in three innings, while Hannah Burks allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits, a walk and five strikeouts in four innings of relief. 

GAME ACTION

It didn’t take long for Webb City to grab the lead in the semifinals, as Hawkins led the game off with a solo home run to left to put the Cardinals on top 1-0 one batter into the game.

Hawkins singled to lead off the third inning before the home run ball came back into play for the Cardinals, with senior Kaylyn Gilbert driving a 1-2 pitch over the wall to the opposite field in left three batters later to extend the lead to 3-0.

Willard threatened in the first four innings with nothing to show for it. The Tigers stranded six total runners through the first four frames and had a runner on third three times, with Taylor able to work out of traffic.

“I felt like Laney went out there and did a fantastic job of keeping her composure in pressure situations,” Friend said. “She has built up to that, pitching a lot for us this year. She did what she had to do to keep us in the ballgame, and she has been doing that for us all year.”

The Tigers finally broke through in the last of the fifth inning when Harley Durr doubled to right-center to score a run. Alyson Miller added a sacrifice fly later in the inning to bring the Webb City advantage to one run, 3-2.

Jaz Rennison singled up the middle to lead off the bottom of the sixth for Willard before Burks doubled to deep right-center field, tying the game at 3-3. Burks tried to score on a ball in the dirt later in the inning but was called out at home.

Webb City third baseman Emalee Lamar hauls in a throw during the Cardinals’ win over Willard on Thursday in the Class 4 District 6 semifinals. Photo by Israel Perez.

Webb City rallied in the top of the seventh to swing the momentum back in its favor. Hawkins got into scoring position with a one-out double at the base of the wall in left-center. Following a walk to senior Emma Welch, fellow senior Hannah Wells singled to the opposite field to bring home Hawkins to give the Cardinals a 4-3 lead. Gilbert followed with a two-run single to left before ending up on third following a fielding error on Willard to add a pair of insurance runs and make the score 6-3.

“That is nothing but senior grit,” Friend said about her team’s ability to rally right away after giving up the lead late. “They didn’t want to give up. I knew right there at the start of the seventh that we were going to win the game because of their attitude, drive and determination.”

Willard was able to bring the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but the Cardinals snuffed out the rally before a runner touched home.

AT THE PLATE

Hawkins led Webb City in the box with four hits, including a double and home run, three runs scored and an RBI. Gilbert homered, had two hits, three RBI and a run scored. 

Durr had three hits, scored a run and drove in one for Willard. Rennison went 2-for-3 with a run scored.

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Joplin drops home match to Willard

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

Joplin suffered a 3-0 setback to Willard on Thursday night inside Kaminsky Gymnasium.

The Tigers beat the Eagles 25-12, 25-19, 25-21.

It was Senior Night for the Eagles, as Angelina Schramm, Allie Lawrence, Logan Bruggeman, Sydney Walker, Kacy Coss and Emma Floyd were recognized.

Willard improved to 25-3-1. 

Joplin (12-11-5) is at Neosho on Tuesday in the regular season finale. 

 

GIRLS TENNIS: Eagles, Bulldogs end season at state tourney

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  — Athletes from Joplin and Carl Junction concluded the 2021 season at the 47th MSHSAA Girls Tennis Championships on Thursday at the Cooper Tennis Complex.

 

EAGLES COMPETE IN CLASS 3

Competing in Class 3, Joplin’s doubles team of Astrid Cardenas and Emma Watts went 0-2. 

The Joplin duo suffered a 6-0, 6-0 opening-round loss to St. Joseph Academy’s Elizabeth Choate and Isabella Hong. The St. Joseph Academy squad later advanced to the semifinals. 

In the consolation bracket, the Joplin pair lost to St. Teresa’s Academy’s Emma Bridges and Anne Marie Hotze 6-2, 6-4.

Cardenas and Watts finished their stellar season with a record of 26-3. Cardenas is a senior, while Watts is a junior. 

 

BULLDOGS PARTICIPATE IN CLASS 2

The Carl Junction Bulldogs had a doubles team and a singles player competing at the Class 2 state tourney. 

Carl Junction’s doubles team of Jenna Besperat and Nicole Sherwood went 0-2.

St. Pius X’s Kintzli Wagner and Megan Giffin defeated the Bulldogs 6-1, 6-2 in the opening round.

Besperat and Sherwood suffered a 6-2, 6-2 loss to Villa Duchesne’s Caroline Potter and Elizabeth Brown in the consolation bracket.

Sherwood is a senior, while Besperat is a sophomore.

In singles, Carl Junction freshman Naiyah Wurdeman went 0-2. 

In the first round, Jefferson City’s Sandhiya Baskar defeated Wurdeman 6-0, 6-0. In the consolation bracket, Ladue’s Saba Fajors defeated Wurdeman 6-1, 6-1.

 

CLASS 1 EVENT BEGINS FRIDAY

Thomas Jefferson’s Allison Ding will take on Duchesne’s Mary Kathleen Beckemeier on Friday in an opening round match of the Class 1 singles tournament. 

Mount Vernon will have two doubles teams competing — Brooke Loftus-Jessah Anderson and Isabella Mosley-Allison Schubert.

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Carthage falls short against Ozark

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Ozark defeated Carthage in straight sets on Thursday in Central Ozark Conference volleyball action, as the visitors won 25-19, 25-17, 25-23.

Mia Camarillo led Carthage with eight kills, while Sydnee Dudolski and Grace Pickering added seven kills apiece.

Abby Holderbaum and Sophie Shannon chipped in four kills apiece.

Olivia Bourgault had 20 digs and four assists, while Dudolski added 10 digs. 

Raven Probert had six assists.

Carthage (16-13-1) hosts rival Webb City on Tuesday night to end the regular season.

 

PREP SOFTBALL: Carthage’s season ends with loss to Nixa

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  — Top-seeded Nixa overcame an early deficit to knock off fifth-seeded Carthage 5-3 on Thursday in a semifinal contest of the Class 5 District 6 tournament at Springfield Central.

Carthage ends the season with a record of 21-14.

The Tigers plated two runs in the top of the third inning to take an early lead. The first run scored on Mary Grace Richmond’s sacrifice fly before Kate Potter’s run-scoring grounder made it 2-0. 

But Nixa pushed across four runs in the fourth. The big inning was highlighted by Kaylee Schlenker’s three-run double. 

Both teams traded single runs in the fifth inning. 

Carthage’s run scored on Ashlyn Brust’s RBI single. Nixa went up 5-3 in the bottom half when Phoebe Gardner singled and later scored on a Carthage error. 

Carthage was limited to four hits. Brust went 3-for-3, while Brooklyn Dolon-Main had one hit. 

Carthage’s Jensyn Elder took the loss. Elder allowed four earned runs on eight hits in six innings with four strikeouts. 

Maddy Meierer was the winning pitcher. She went the distance and allowed three runs on four hits and struck out nine. 

Chloe Karns and Paige Garetson had two hits apiece for Nixa. 

Nixa meets second-seeded Ozark on Friday in the district championship game. Ozark defeated third-seeded Republic 4-3.

 

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Seneca sweeps East Newton

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

 

The Seneca Indians defeated the East Newton Patriots 3-0 on Thursday. The set scores were 25-17, 25-20 and 25-22.

Seneca’s Rylee Darnell had 34 assists and three aces, while Brylee Sage had 12 digs. 

Also for the Indians, Jera Jameson contributed 10 kills and two blocks, while Braxton Raulston had eight kills and 10 digs and Ellie Barnes contributed seven kills and seven digs.

Parker Long had six kills and 10 digs, while Tatum White added five kills. 

Seneca (12-12-2, 4-2 Big 8) will compete at the McDonald County tourney on Saturday.

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