COLUMBIA, Mo. — With a strong finish, McAuley Catholic junior Michael Parrigon crossed the line first at the Father Tolton Cross Country Invitational on Saturday at Gans Creek.
Parrigon won the varsity boys 5K with a time of 16:43, 10 seconds ahead of Fatima’s Michael Gabelsberger.
“Michael took the lead after the 3K and PR’d by a minute from last year’s race,” McAuley coach Andy Youngworth said.
McAuley Catholic’s Michael Parrigon used a strong finish to win the Father Tolton Invitational on Saturday in Columbia. Parrigon won the 5K in 16:43. Courtesy photo.
McAuley sophomore Trae Veer finished 17th in 17:54.
Also for the Warriors, Will Mollnow was 42nd in 18:49 and Connor Taffner took 67th in 19:50.
“Trae Veer and Will Mollnow had career PR’s and Connor Taffner did a great job as well, running close to a PR,” Youngworth noted.
Also competing for McAuley’s boys were Max Anreder (113th), Cliff Nolan (115th) and Grant Horinek (118th).
The Warriors finished seventh out of 18 teams with 208 points.
The top four teams were Centralia (65), Fatima (66), Father Tolton (121) and Southern Boone County (128).
In the varsity girls race, McAuley senior Kendall Ramsey finished 18th with a time of 21:55 and freshman Olivia Parrigon finished 22nd in 22:06.
Also competing for the McAuley girls were Marbellie Villanueva (84th), Samantha Perrin (99th) and Riley Sears (105th).
“Kendall Ramsey and Olivia Parrigon both competed well in a field that was stacked with Class 3, Class 4 and Class 5 schools,” Youngworth said. “Marbellie, Sam and Riley ran great as well.”
Father Tolton had the top four individuals in the girls race, led by Elyse Wilmes’ first-place finish in 18:20.
The top four girls teams were Father Tolton (20), Blair Oaks (99), Fatima (101) and Osage (142).
Youngworth added he was pleased with the performance of both teams, adding running on the state meet course is always a good experience.
“Both teams had great performances at Father Tolton in what we hope will be a dry run for the state meet in November,” Youngworth said. “We ran at the 50th Carthage Invitational on Thursday and I knew we would be a little dead legged, but they fought through that and competed well.”
McAuley Catholic will be among the numerous schools competing at next Saturday’s Southern Stampede.
McAuley Catholic’s Kendall Ramsey and Olivia Parrigon compete in Saturday’s Father Tolton Invitational. Courtesy photo.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Webb City captured the championship at the Hillcrest Slamfest on Saturday.
The Cardinals went 5-0 on the day en route to winning the tourney championship.
In the championship match, Webb City defeated Lebanon 25-16, 25-23.
Aubree Lassiter recorded 12 digs in the title match, while Jaeli Rutledge added seven kills and Kirra Long had four. Savannah Crane had 15 assists and Sophia Crane recorded a team-high 13 digs.
Webb City defeated Camdenton 25-16, 19-25, 25-12 in the semifinals.
Lassiter had 14 kills and Rutledge added nine kills in the semifinal victory, while Savannah Crane handed out 24 assists and Sophia Crane had 14 digs.
In pool play, Webb City defeated Waynesville 25-21, 25-13, Hillcrest 25-20, 25-16 and Branson 25-12, 25-11.
The Cardinals are now 7-1 on the season. Webb City is at Bentonville on Monday.
PECULIAR, Mo. — The Joplin High School boys cross country team had three of the top 14 individuals en route to a fifth-place finish at the Raymore-Peculiar Invitational on Saturday.
Joplin senior Ian Horton finished fourth in the varsity boys 5K with a time of 15:59. Platte County’s Andrew Johnson (15:26), Blue Springs’ Keagan Enicks (15:49) and Nixa’s Aaron Ashley (15:55) were the only runners to finish ahead of Horton.
Also for the Eagles, Chance Tindall finished 11th in 16:23 and Grey Edwards placed 14th in 16:32.
Also competing for the JHS boys were Noe Fischer (34th), Aidan Koch (64th), Brady Honeycutt (67th) and Jayden Miller (74th).
Joplin’s boys finished fifth in the team standings with 121 points. The top four teams were Nixa (65), Lee’s Summit West (67), Raymore-Peculiar (96) and Platte County (103). There were 12 full squads.
In the girls race, Joplin’s Katherine Schaefer finished seventh in 19:53.
Also competing for the JHS girls were Averi Burks (32nd), Kyrie Britton (41st), Mia Grubbs (47th), Meridyth Mai (63rd) and Annabelle Rutledge (68th).
Joplin finished ninth in the team standings (176). The top four girls teams were Ray-Pec (45), Blue Springs (76) and Park Hill South (152).
Blue Springs senior Abigail Brackenbury won the girls race in 18:38.
ANDERSON, Mo. — The McDonald County Mustangs improved to 2-1 on the season by beating Rogersville 16-0 on Friday night.
It’s the second straight win for Mac County after a season-opening setback to Mount Vernon.
Two plays after a Maddox Feagin interception that set the hosts up on the 5-yard line, Destyn Dowd’s 1-yard QB keeper gave the Mustangs a 7-0 lead with 5:31 left in the first quarter.
A 22-yard field goal from Richard Gasca made it 10-0 at the half.
There was no scoring in the third period.
Josh Pacheco’s 80-yard pick six in the fourth quarter made it 16-0 with 8:37 remaining and accounted for the final score.
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Ahead of the 2023 season, the new lead voice of the Carl Junction football program had plenty to say about his upperclassmen.
Carl Junction’s Dexter Merrell picks up positive yardage in the Bulldogs’ win over Neosho on Friday. Photos by Jessica Greninger.
“Our success will be built around them,” Todd Hafner originally told SoMo Sports.
After two losses to open the season, the Carl Junction veterans stepped up to lead the Bulldogs to a 32-24 win over Neosho in a battle of winless squads Friday night at Bulldog Stadium.
“The biggest thing is how hard our kids fought and how they pulled together when they needed to,” Hafner said after the first win of his second CJ tenure. “Offensively, we were stagnant in the first half, but we made the adjustments we needed to and played well down the stretch.”
Senior running back and linebacker Johnny Starks made a major impact with a blocked punt that he returned for a touchdown, a long touchdown run early in the second half that set the pace for a wild finish, plus a blocked field goal and PAT.
“I don’t know how else to describe it,” Hafner said of Starks’ play. “He was the best player on the field tonight. He’s worked himself into such a good player. He’s able to play longer because he has put a lot of work in on his conditioning. I’m really proud of him.”
Meanwhile, junior running backs Marcus Lopez-Durman and Tony Stewart each added crucial touchdowns within Carl Junction’s new-look pistol option under Hafner, who has returned to the helm for a second tenure (1997-2000) after the departure of longtime coach Doug Buckmaster.
Carl Junction’s Tony Stewart looks for rushing room during the Bulldogs’ win over Neosho on Friday.
“They’re all a huge part of what we do,” Hafner said of his veteran leaders. “Our quarterback (senior Dexter Merrell) didn’t have a lot of passing or running yards, but he gave the ball to the right guy every time. At halftime, we showed him what he was doing and then he was great in the second half.”
Most of the action occurred in the second half, which began with the Bulldogs leading 7-6 on Starks’ blocked punt that turned into a 45-yard touchdown return for a score near the end of the second quarter.
On the first possession of the second half, Starks ripped a 69-yard touchdown run to provide a 14-6 cushion for Carl Junction.
Neosho cut the deficit to 14-12 when Quenton Hughes linked up with Hudson Williams for a 9-yard touchdown connection with 7:55 left in the third quarter.
Then, the Bulldogs settled for a Gavin Cowger 29-yard field goal to gain a 17-12 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Neosho’s Denver Welch breaks loose for a first down during the Wildcats’ loss to Carl Junction on Friday.
The Wildcats responded by taking its second — and final — lead with Denver Welch’s 3-yard touchdown run for an 18-17 advantage midway through the fourth.
It took just one play for Carl Junction to muster a response of its own. Lopez-Durman took an option handoff 67 yards all the way to the house prior to a two-point conversion providing the home side a seven-point lead at 25-18.
But Neosho didn’t roll over. Hughes tossed a deep ball down the sideline, connecting with Hudson Williams for a 63-yard touchdown pass and catch to trim the Bulldogs’ lead to 25-24. After the score, the Wildcats failed to add a two-point conversion or PAT for its third straight try.
Carl Junction put the nail in the coffin thanks to Stewart’s 9-yard touchdown run with 2:07 left and another strong defensive stand.
“I’m so happy to be here and I’m proud of our kids,” Hafner said. “I’m excited that we were able to play well and get the win for our community.”
UP NEXT
Carl Junction (1-2) will make the short trek to Carthage (0-3) next week. Neosho (0-3) will host Republic (2-1).
Without the services of starting RB Quin Renfro (back), LT Dontrell Holt (ankle) and QB Hobbs Gooch (hand) because of injury, the Joplin defense once again was up to the challenge as the Eagles pitched a 28-0 shutout over Ozark on Friday in Central Ozark Conference action at Junge Field.
“The defense and special teams played great,” Joplin coach Curtis Jasper said. “Without Quin, Dontrell and Gooch, we were still able to put 28 points up on the board with the help of a couple of short fields thanks to the defense and special teams. It was a good team effort.”
YOU SHALL NOT PASS, OR THROW
Joplin QB Daniel Rose eyes running room in the Eagles’ shutout win over Ozark on Friday. Photos by Israel Perez.
How good was the Joplin defense against Ozark? The Tigers gained just 132 total yards off offense, 86 of which came on the ground, averaging less than 3 yards a play. And not only were the Tigers kept out of the end zone, Ozark never made it to the red zone. In total, Ozark punted seven times, threw one interception and turned it over on downs three times.
NEXT MAN UP
Offensively, Joplin finished with 337 yards of 46 plays. Filling in for Gooch, sophomore Daniel Rose made his first varsity start and rushed five times for 43 yards and a touchdown, while completing 12-of-17 passes for 145 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Junior RB Toryn Jones picked up 117 yards and scored twice on the ground on 18 carries. Junior WR Davin Thomas caught seven passes for 117 yards.
“I can’t say enough about Daniel Rose, filling in for Gooch tonight,” Jasper said. “He acted like he had been a varsity starter before. He didn’t flinch at all. Guys on the offensive line stepped up, as well.”
BIGGER THAN FOOTBALL
Joplin coaches, players and staff join Ozark coaches, players and staff at midfield to kneel in prayer following the medical emergency on the field just before the start of the second quarter.
Just before the start of the second quarter, an official collapsed on the field. School medical officials and coaches rushed the field before the paramedics arrived on the scene. Joplin coaches surrounded the medical officials while they did their thing as both teams were on a knee on their respective sidelines. The official was loaded into an ambulance near midfield and taken away in what was believed to be stable condition, unofficially. After a delay to collect themselves in the locker room, the rest of the officiating crew returned to the field to a standing ovation to finish the game.
“I am proud of my job and what I do for a living and hope that I have an impact on the lives of people, but watching the people with medical training and what they’re able to do for others just makes you feel tiny in a way because [they were so quick to react] in a scary situation,” Jasper said of medical emergency. “To be able to see him and hear him talk before he was loaded onto the ambulance after watching him collapse was amazing. It makes everything small in comparison.”
“I have known that crew for a while and I have always admired how good of a crew they are,” Jasper added about the officiating crew ultimately choosing to continue the game. “I can’t say enough about them and how much I admire them for coming back out when they didn’t have to, and they still would have had my admiration for what they do for the kids. They did a fantastic job tonight.”
GAME ACTION
Joplin overcame a handful of penalties on its first drive and still found the end zone when Jones carried the ball in from 2 yards out for a 7-0 lead with 5:23 left in the opening period.
“We only had six or seven penalties combined in our first two games,” Jasper said. “We had 10 tonight, so that is something we have to fix heading into next week.”
Joplin running back Toryn Jones pickes up a first down during the Eagles’ win over Ozark on Friday.
The Eagles didn’t score again until the waning moments of the first half when Rose dumped the ball off over a committing defender to find Thomas, who sprinted his way up the sideline for a 73-yard touchdown with second left before halftime to give the Eagles a 14-0 lead.
Joplin’s special teams left its mark on the game early in the fourth quarter when Neil Bartstow came up with a blocked punt to give the offense the ball near the red zone. A short time later, Jones found the end zone from 10 yards out for a 21-0 lead by Joplin with 9:46 to play.
“Coach (Alan) Linden talked on Monday about he thought we had a good chance to get one,” Jasper said of the blocked punt. “He drew it up and knew where he felt the soft spot was in their protection. Our guys went out and executed, and it was in a great spot to do it because it really set us up for that score.”
Eagles linebacker Jonathan Williams followed up with an interception on the ensuing defensive possession to once again give the offense fantastic starting field position at the OHS 35.
“I trust the guys around me and they trust me,” Williams said when asked how well his defense is playing right now. “As long as we have all 11 to the ball on each play with 100 percent effort, I know we’re going to have a good game.”
Joplin WR Davin Thomas hauls in a pass before turning up field for and sprinting for a TD in the Eagles’ win over Ozark on Friday.
The turnover turned into points the other way for Joplin when Rose ran in from 5 yards out for a 28-0 advantage with 6:50 left in regulation to seal the win.
“I am through-the-roof proud of (the young guys on offense stepping up),” Williams added. “They have stepped up into their role and have been selfless in the process. I appreciate their effort in stepping up and executing well.”
UP NEXT
Joplin is back on the road for a matchup at COC rival Webb City (2-1).
SENECA, Mo. — Continuing their early season dominance, the Seneca Indians rode quarterback Gavyn Hoover’s arm to a 44-0 pummeling of the Cassville Wildcats on Friday night.
Ranked No. 3 in Class 3, Seneca (3-0) has now outscored its opponents by a combined margin of 143-0.
On their first play from scrimmage, Hoover linked up with receiver Ethan Altic for a 47-yard touchdown strike. Hoover then punched in the 2-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
Later in the quarter, Blake Skelton’s 34-yard reception highlighted a 76-yard scoring drive — capped off by Jackson Marrs’ 2-yard rushing touchdown. A failed 2-point play left the Indians up 14-0 at the conclusion of the first quarter.
The Indians’ passing attack continued to click on all cylinders, with Altic hauling in a 37-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter. Hoover’s punishing run on the 2-point play staked Seneca to a 22-0 advantage.
Hoover’s precision passing wasn’t the only issue for the Wildcats.
Midway through the second quarter, Hoover’s 48-yard scamper sparked a 6-play, 85-yard scoring drive. The Indians held a commanding 30-0 halftime lead.
Seneca padded its cushion via second half touchdown runs from Marrs and Brodie Probert, coasting to the decisive victory.
Hoover completed 8 of 11 passes for 212 yards and a pair of passing scores, while also rushing for more than 100 yards and a touchdown.
The Indians racked up 440 yards of offense while holding the Wildcats to just 55 yards.
Linebacker Morgan Vaughn wreaked havoc in the Cassville backfield, registering a pair of sacks.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Indians travel to Lamar, the top-ranked team in Class 2. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. next Friday.
NIXA, Mo. — Nixa jumped out to a quick two-possession lead in the first quarter but Carthage refused to go away, even holding the lead into the second half before the Eagles rallied in the final two quarters and held off the Tigers for a 34-28 win on Friday.
Nixa (3-0) scored on the first play from scrimmage and its third play with the ball to build a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Carthage (0-3) rallied with three unanswered scores, including a touchdown inside the final minute of the first half to head into the intermission with a 21-14 lead. Nixa and Carthage battled back and forth in the second half, with the Eagles holding on for the win.
GAME ACTION
Nixa wasted little time jumping out in front of Carthage, as WR Spencer Ward lined up in the wildcat and took the snap and ran left 65 yards to the house for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage for a 7-0 lead 12 seconds into the game.
After a three-and-out by Carthage, RB Dylan Rebura broke off a 63-yard run two plays into the Eagles’ ensuing drive for a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter.
Carthage used the rushing attack to drive down the field on its second possession before QB Brady Carlton kept the ball for a 3-yard touchdown with two minutes left in the opening period to trim the margin to 14-6.
The Tigers cut the lead to one, 14-13, when Carlton used play-action to find Landyn Collins in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown at the 9:04 mark.
Carthage took its first lead of the game late in the first half when Carlton went deep over the middle for a 48-yard connection to Karsen Murray down inside the Nixa 10-yard line that ultimately set up another passing score to Collins with 41 seconds left in the second quarter. Carlton found Jackson Hettinger on the 2-point conversion to push the CHS lead to 21-14 at the intermission.
Nixa used a 54-yard run from Rebura to set up a 14-yard touchdown run by RB Malachi Rider to tie the game at 21-21 with 7:25 left in the third quarter.
The Eagles forced a Carthage fumble on the Tigers’ ensuing drive, with Nixa taking possession at the CHS 30-yard line. Nixa took advantage of the turnover when Rider punched it in from 10 yards out for a 28-21 lead with 4:51 to play in the third quarter.
Carthage refused to go away, driving all the way down inside the Nixa 5 before Collins found paydirt from a yard out to tie things up at 28-28 with 3:24 left in the game.
Rider put Nixa back on top with a 31-yard touchdown run with 2:42 to play in the following drive. The Eagles missed the extra point to lead 34-28.
REPUBLIC, Mo. — It’s safe to say the Webb City Cardinals had plenty of extra motivation ahead of their Week 3 matchup with the Republic Tigers.
Of course, Webb City’s 2022 season ended with a disappointing loss to Republic in the district semifinals in what was the Tigers’ first-ever win over the Cardinals.
In a rematch of last year’s postseason contest, the Cardinals made a statement.
Taking control early, Webb City pounded Republic 42-21 on Friday night in a Central Ozark Conference clash between state-ranked squads at Tiger Stadium.
In a game they never trailed, Webb City led 21-7 at the end of the first quarter, 28-14 at the half and 35-14 by the end of the third period.
Ranked fourth in Class 5, Webb City improved to 2-1. Ranked sixth in the Class 5, Republic fell to 2-1.
The fired-up Cardinals took control of this one early.
After recovering a Republic fumble on the first series of the night, Webb City needed just two plays to score after the takeaway, as senior running back Omari Jackson sprinted into the end zone from 11-yards out.
Next, the Cardinals partially blocked a Republic punt near the end zone, setting up the visitors with great field position. On the next play, Webb City took a 14-0 lead with 7:48 left in the opening quarter on senior running back Breckin Galardo’s 4-yard plunge.
Republic got on the board after taking advantage of a Webb City fumble, as Zion Allen’s 35-yard scoop and score cut the hosts’ deficit in half.
The Cardinals responded, as Galardo’s 41-yard touchdown run gave Webb City a 21-7 lead.
An 11-yard touchdown pass from Wyatt Woods to James Rexroat cut Webb City’s lead to 21-14 at the 6:49 mark of the second quarter, but Galardo’s third TD of the night, this time a 4-yard scamper extended Webb City’s lead to 28-14. The score was set up by Joseph DeGraffenreid’s 74-yard kick return.
After intermission, sophomore Gabe Johnson’s 6-yard QB keeper finished off a seven-play, 63-yard drive and gave the Cardinals a 35-14 cushion.
Andrew Elwell’s 4-yard plunge with 7:16 left, along with Alex Dunne’s PAT kick, extended Webb City’s advantage to 42-14.
Republic’s Caide White ran for a 58-yard touchdown with 6:25 left for the final margin.
Webb City finished with 306 yards of total offense, with 257 on the ground and 49 through the air.
Johnson ran 13 times for 86 yards and also caught two passes for 42 yards. Galardo ran nine times for 76 yards and three touchdowns before leaving with an apparent injury.
Dunne converted all six of his PAT kicks.
Republic had 194 yards, 183 rushing and 11 passing. The Tigers had five turnovers (four fumbles, one interception) to Webb City’s one.
The Cardinals are now 18-0 all-time against the Tigers in regular-season games.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Webb City hosts undefeated Joplin in Week 4 at Cardinal Stadium.
Ranked fourth in Class 5, Webb City improved to 2-1. Ranked sixth in the Class 5, Republic fell to 2-1.