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.
“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.
“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.
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).
