NEOSHO, Mo. — A solid start led Webb City past Neosho 49-20 on Friday night at Bob Anderson Stadium in Week 2 of the 2021 prep football season.
In a Central Ozark Conference clash between Class 5 District 6 foes, Webb City scored the game’s first 20 points and the visitors led 42-6 en route to victory.
“I felt really good about our first quarter on both sides of the ball,” Webb City coach John Roderique said. “We played really well early. But then we had a scoring drought. I don’t know if our guys relaxed a little bit or what. It was a game where we were feeling pretty good and we made plans to put other guys in. Then they get a couple of scores when we subbed guys out. It got pretty ugly for us late in the game.”
It’s safe to say the Cardinals bounced back nicely from an agonizing 41-40 loss to Joplin in Week 1. Roderique noted the Cardinals (1-1) will strive to improve week by week as the season continues.
The Cardinals continue to develop depth at several positions.
“We had a lot of guys who got to play tonight with some mixed outcomes,” Roderique said. “It’s always going to be a work in progress. We just need to continue to improve.”
The Wildcats (0-2) didn’t quit when they got down. The hosts scored twice in the third period and continued to play hard when the final outcome was no longer in doubt.
That was a welcome sight to Neosho coach Brandon Taute.
“I feel really great about our effort,” Taute said. “Our kids fought their butts off all night, from the first whistle to the last. We’re still figuring out who we are and what our identity is. We’re still learning. Our goal is to be better than we were yesterday. We’re absolutely better than we were in Week 1. We’ll go back to work tomorrow morning and try to get better everyday.”
NAMES & NUMBERS
Webb City racked up 436 yards of offense, with 365 rushing and 71 passing.
The senior tandem of Dupree Jackson and Cade Wilson once again led Webb City’s rushing attack. Jackson ran 16 times for 157 yards with three touchdowns. Wilson added 86 yards on nine carries, while Max Stovern ran 10 times for 59 yards. Roderique called Stovern’s contribution “fantastic.” Cohl Vaden completed five passes, with two for scores.
Neosho recorded 331 yards, 184 passing and 147 rushing.
Evan Haskins completed 21 of 31 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown. Brock Franklin caught seven passes for 84 yards, while Isaiah Green hauled in five passes for 68 yards.
Jared Siler ran 26 times for 128 yards to lead the Wildcats’ running attack.
GAME RECAP
Webb City scored a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter, as William Hayes hauled in a 15-yard pass from Vaden and Wilson scored on a 1-yard run. In the second frame, Stovern scored on a 6-yard run to extend Webb City’s lead to 20-0.
Neosho got on the board with 3:36 remaining in the first half on a 2-yard QB keeper by Haskins. A pass to Franklin and a number of gains on the ground by Siler set up the score.
The Cardinals responded on the next series, as Jackson’s 1-yard touchdown plunge and Stovern’s 2-point conversion made it 28-6 at the half.
Webb City needed just two plays from scrimmage to score on the opening drive of the third period. After a 59-yard scamper by Wilson, Jackson ran in from a yard out. Next, Trey Roets hauled in a 6-yard TD pass from Vaden to make it 42-6 with just over seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The Wildcats kept coming. Neosho’s Siler broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run with 5:26 left in the third quarter.
After the hosts recovered a Webb City fumble, Haskins connected with Green for a 42-yard touchdown strike, cutting his team’s deficit to 42-20.
Webb City’s lead was never in jeopardy at that point though. Jackson scored on a 28-yard run to extend Webb City’s lead to 29 points at the end of the third quarter.
Neither team scored in the final frame.
PLAYING FOR NO. 88
The Cardinals took the field with heavy hearts due to the passing of Christian Heady. The Webb City 12-year-old passed away early Friday morning after a long battle with cancer.
“He’s been in my heart all day,” Roderique said. “It’s something a lot of our kids have talked about. He was with us last year in the semifinal game…it was a tough day for sure.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Webb City hosts Republic in Week 3, while the Wildcats host Carthage next Friday.
WEBB CITY 49, NEOSHO 20
Webb City 14 14 21 0—49
Neosho 0 6 14 0—20
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
WC: William Hayes 15 pass from Cohl Vaden. (Mason Quick kick)
WC: Cade Wilson 1 run. (Quick kick)
Second Quarter
WC: Max Stovern 6 run (Kick failed)
NEO: Evan Haskins 2 run (Kick blocked)
WC: Dupree Jackson 1 run (Stovern run)
Third Quarter
WC: Jackson 1 run (Quick kick)
WC: Trey Roets 6 pass from Vaden (Quick kick)
NEO: Jared Siler 49 run (Run failed)
NEO: Isaiah Green 42 pass from Haskins (Haskins run)
WC: Jackson 28 run (Quick kick)
Fourth Quarter
No scoring.
