Joplin is coming off back-to-back losses since Week 2 and 3 of the 2018 season.
The sledding doesn’t get any easier this week, as the Eagles (1-2) travel to Carl Junction to take on the Bulldogs (1-2). Both Joplin and Carl Junction have had similar seasons to this point, with both teams dropping their last two contests by the narrowest of margins. The Eagles have lost by a combined nine points over the last two games, while the Bulldogs have lost by a combined two points in their last pair of contests.
“CJ can say the same thing on their end, too,” Joplin coach Curtis Jasper said. “They’ve lost by a point the last two weeks. It comes down to a few plays a game, and I talked to our guys and told them that it is conference wide. There are going to be a few plays each game that determines the outcome.
“We have to work hard to be able to make sure that we make those few plays it’s going to take each week because every week it looks like it is going to be a battle. I know Carl Junction is working really hard to do what they need to do, and we are working hard to do what we need to do. It’s going to be a really good, close ball game.”
After suffering its second consecutive loss, a 51-43 defeat to Ozark on Senior Night last week, the Eagles will be relying on the leadership of the 13 seniors to help turn the fortunes back to the positive.
“We talked with them about how, as coaches, we are facilitators,” Jasper said. “We want this to be the year that they want, and how they want this year to go. In that perspective, they need to take a lot of accountability, not only for themselves, but for the rest of the players if they want the season I know they want. They will have to step up, and they are doing that.”
JOPLIN LEADERS
Quarterback Always Wright has completed 60-of-86 passes for 723 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Running back Nathan Glades has 80 carries for 588 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, adding nine receptions for 116 yards. Wideout Dante Washington has a team-high 19 receptions for 232 yards and four touchdowns, while Keaton Renfro has 12 grabs for 183 yards and a touchdown. Trayshawn Thomas has 12 catches for 103 yards and a score, while Landen Atherton has six receptions for 70 yards and a score.
Defensively, linebacker Scott Lowe leads the Eagles with 46 total tackles, 31 solo, while Jayden Holt has 42 tackles, 27 solo, and one interception. Jacob Prosser and Marcelino Puente each have 22 tackles this season. Luke Vieselmeyer leads Joplin with three interceptions and a forced fumble.
CARL JUNCTION LEADERS
Quarterback Alex Baker has completed 24-of-50 passes for 285 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, while Kyler Perry, who filled in for an injured Baker last week, has completed 9-of-20 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. Brady Sims has rushed for 131 yards on 26 carries, while Cole Stewart has 12 receptions for 194 yards. Drew Patterson has seven receptions for 85 yards.
“They have playmakers all over the field offensively and defensively,” Jasper said. “(Quarterback Alex) Baker is an outstanding quarterback. (Running back Brady) Sims is a tough, physical runner, and they have speed at receiver. We’ve seen what kind of athlete (Drew) Patterson is when he was quarterback last year and as well as what he’s done at receiver this year.”
Noah Southern leads Carl Junction’s defense with 42 tackles, 27 solo, and interception and a fumble recovery, while Jaycob Colgin has 30 tackles and an interception.Jesse Cassat has 28 tackles.
“Defensively, they have (Jesse) Cassat on the defensive line, (Noah) Southern at linebacker and a quality group of defensive backs,” Jasper said. “They have a high-quality team.”
