BRANSON, Mo. — Webb City used a strong second half to earn a 35-7 win over Branson on Friday night in a Central Ozark Conference clash at Pirate Stadium.
Ranked second in Class 5 by the Missouri Media, Webb City improved to 5-1 with a fifth straight win, while Branson slipped to 2-4.
The defensive struggle was tied at seven at halftime before the Cardinals scored 28 unanswered points in the second half.
Webb City finished with 344 yards, 322 rushing and 22 passing.
Dupree Jackson ran 23 times for 154 yards with two touchdowns, while Kansas State recruit Devrin Weathers added 100 yards on 13 carries with two scores.
The Cardinals were flagged 10 times for 60 yards, while the Pirates had four penalties for 35 yards.
Branson had 182 yards, with 119 passing and 63 rushing. Cristian Berumen had 58 rushing yards on 16 carries and Brady Blackwell caught four passes for 86 yards.
GAME RECAP
Weathers scored on a 5-yard run at the 7:30 mark of the first quarter, but the Pirates tied the game on a 71-yard touchdown strike from Tristan Pierce to Blackwell. The score was deadlocked at the break.
On the opening drive of the third quarter, one plagued by penalties, Weathers broke free for a go-ahead 34-yard touchdown run. Cameron Clark’s PAT kick gave the Cardinals a 14-7 advantage at the 7:37 mark.
After the Webb City defense forced a three and out, Jackson punched in a 4-yard touchdown run to finish off a nine-play, 53-yard drive for a 21-7 lead.
Shane Noel scored on a 6-yard run with 8:07 remaining to give the Cardinals a 21-point cushion.
Jackson added a 5-yard score with just under two minutes to play for the final margin.
NOTES: Webb City junior running back Cade Wilson left the game with a leg injury, with Jackson, Noel and Jayce Timmons getting playing time in the backfield in his absence.
Matt McDaniel had two sacks for the Webb City defense, while Treghan Parker and Eli Goddard grabbed interceptions. Clark made all five PAT kicks.
Webb City (5-1) hosts Nixa (6-0) next Friday for Homecoming.
Webb City 35, Branson 7
Webb City 7 0 14 14—35
Branson 7 0 0 0—7
Scoring Summary
WC: Devrin Weathers 5-yard run (Cameron Clark kick)
BR: Brady Blackwell 71-yard pass from Tristan Pierce (Cristian Berumen kick)
WC: Weathers 34-yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Dupree Jackson 4-yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Shane Noel 6-yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Jackson 5-yard run (Clark kick)
