FOOTBALL: No. 1 Lamar locks down Nevada, prevails 14-0 in ‘Silver Tiger’ game

NEVADA, Mo. — Ian Ngugi’s electrifying 68-yard punt return proved decisive as top-ranked Lamar edged host Nevada 14-0 in an old-school defensive battle between two highly-ranked opponents on Friday night at Logan Field. 

“This is the most excitement and energy I’ve seen us bring into a Friday night game this year,” said Lamar coach Jared Beshore.

Entering the much-hyped matchup averaging 47 points per game, Nevada’s powerful rushing attack was held in check, as Lamar (6-1) was able to bottle up standout tailback Jack Cheaney. 

Beshore said that the game plan centered on being physical at the point-of-attack, tackling well and winning the field position battle — and that they executed those facets of the game with near-flawless precision. 

“As much work as we put into our defensive prep during the week, our goal and expectation is to be perfect on every drive,” Beshore said. “We know that doesn’t always happen, but tonight, our kids played about as close to it as anybody has seen this year. I really think it’s the best product we’ve put on the field — both special team and defensively this year.”

Beshore was also pleased that his offense was able to overcome the loss of starting signal-caller Alex Wilkerson, who was out with an ankle injury. 

“We needed to make plays and take time off the clock with a big drive, and we did that,” Beshore said, specifically mentioning a methodical drive that chewed up more than six minutes of clock in the fourth quarter, punctuated by senior running back Logan Kish’s 2-yard touchdown run that staked Lamar to a 14-0 advantage. 

While Beshore was confident that his defense would be able to maintain its high level of physicality, he said that Ngugi’s punt return late in the first half made his team believe that victory was within reach.

“We were playing great defensively and knew a play was going to pop up at some point,” he said. “And Ian’s punt return was the play that got the momentum going in our direction.” 

After fielding the punt, Ngugi cut-back twice to the left, leaving a bevy of Nevada defenders in the dust en route to the spectacular 68-yard touchdown return. 

“He’s a big-time playmaker and athlete,” Beshore said. “As talented as Ian is, he’s also one of the hardest workers on the team.” 

Ngugi described how the “confidence-boosting” play unfolded and got Lamar “kind of rolling.”

“I actually wasn’t supposed to run that way,” Ngugi said with a chuckle. “The blocks were set up good, so I just had to make a couple of cuts.”

The drought continues for Nevada, who have not emerged victorious in the storied rivalry since 2004. Beshore, meanwhile, said that the Lamar coaching staff did its part to emphasize the importance of a rivalry that dates to 1921. 

“We let them know that it’s a big deal for both communities and that they’re not just playing for this team but are playing for every Lamar team that has ever played in this game,” he said. 

Nevada coach Wes Beachler said that his team “didn’t play well enough” in the trenches in the stinging defeat. 

“We had several six to eight-play drives that we couldn’t finish,” he said. “In a game like this, if we score on one or two of those drives and we get 14 on the board, it probably changes the entire outcome.”

Beachler noted his team played great defensively. Nevada held Lamar to 157 yards, just 90 rushing. 

Beachler added that his club has to “get better in some facets of the game” that they were “exposed” by Lamar. 

“You get to this level and play against teams that are this good, all the chinks in the armor are going to get exposed,” he said. 

Beachler said that all is not lost, as Nevada (6-1) can still finish with at least a share of the Big 8 West crown. But that would likely require a victory over the juggernaut Seneca Indians in two weeks on Senior Night.

“We still have a chance to make a mad dash for a shared championship,” he said. “But if you sit around feeling sorry for yourself for too long, you’re going to wind up dropping more games than you should.”

Beachler said that there is no chance that his squad overlooks next week’s matchup with winless Monett.

“We haven’t overlooked anybody all year,” he said. “We’ve played at a high level against good teams — and we also play at that same level against teams we’ve outclassed.” 

WHAT’S NEXT? 

Ranked No. 1 in Class 2, Lamar hosts Cassville, while Nevada, ranked No. 7 in Class 4, travels to Monett.

Nevada vs Lamar High School – Varsity Football – 10/6/2023 – Box Score – Hudl