WEBB CITY, Mo. — Coming off a hard-fought setback in the season opener, the Webb City Cardinals needed to get well in Week 2.
There’s no doubt they did just that.
Webb City rolled from the start en route to a commanding 45-0 victory over Neosho on Friday night in Central Ozark Conference football action at Cardinal Stadium.
“Each day we’re blessed to be playing and we’re thankful for the opportunity,” Webb City coach John Roderique said after the game. “We’ve been telling our kids that they need to make the most of every day that they have playing this game because there are a lot of guys that aren’t about to do that right now.”
Roderique noted it was satisfying to see his squad rebound well from last week’s loss at Joplin.
“That’s exactly what you want to see,” Roderique said. “You want to have a dominating performance after a loss. I felt like the kids did that.”
Ignited by an early blocked punt, the Cardinals (1-1) led 31-0 at halftime.
Webb City racked up 329 yards of offense for the game, with 276 on the ground and 53 through the air.
“I felt like our guys up front played really well,” Roderique said.
Senior running back Devrin Weathers once again showed why he’s a Kansas State recruit. The speedy Weathers ran for 192 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries.
Senior quarterback Cole Gayman completed one pass for 53 yards to Asa Morgan and also ran for a touchdown. In all, 10 different players had carries out of the backfield for the hosts.
Webb City’s defense limited Neosho (0-2) to just 79 total yards, with 40 rushing and 39 passing.
Jaystin Smith, Roger Carranco, Brentan Wilson and Brody German all made tackles for loss for the Cardinals.
“I feel like our defense was a week better for sure,” Roderique said.
Neosho’s Drayke Perry ran seven times for 32 yards, while quarterback Logan Whetzell completed 2-of-7 passes for 39 yards. Perry had one reception for 27 yards.
Playing on their home turf for the first time since last season’s semifinal win over Ladue, the Cardinals blocked Neosho’s punt attempt on the opening series, with senior defensive back Shane Noel scoring on the 16-yard return.
The Cardinals never looked back after the early game-changing play.
“That gave us the momentum and we talk about those things all the time,” Roderique said. “Those special teams plays are huge. And that play was certainly huge at that time of the game.”
Gayman’s 2-yard touchdown run and Cameron Clark’s 22-yard field goal made it 17-0 at the end of the first quarter. Eli Goddard’s interception set up the final score of the opening frame.
Weathers then scored the next three touchdowns for the Cardinals, with a pair of TDs in the second period. Weathers first scored on a 2-yard run before he broke free for a 64-yard sprint, giving the hosts a comfortable 31-point cushion at intermission.
The Cardinals got the ball to start the second half, and on the first play from scrimmage, Weathers ran past the Neosho defense for a 59-yard touchdown.
Roderique got his reserves plenty of playing time the rest of the way.
Sophomore Colton Gordon scored on a 1-yard run with 3:09 left in the third quarter, and there was no scoring in the final frame.
Webb City is at Republic in Week 3, while Neosho is at Carthage next Friday.
WEBB CITY 45, NEOSHO 0
Neosho 0 0 0 0—0
Webb City 17 14 14 0—45
Scoring summary
WC: Shane Noel 16 yard return after blocked punt. (Cameron Clark kick)
WC: Cole Gayman 2 yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Clark 22 yard field goal
WC: Devrin Weathers 2 yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Weathers 64 yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Weathers 59 yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Colton Gordon 1 yard run (Clark kick)
Records: Webb City 1-1, Neosho 0-2.
