WILLARD, Mo. — The outcome of the game was never really in doubt, with Carl Junction striking early and often to dominate the Willard Tigers 29-12 in the season opener Friday night.
Coming off a 4-6 record in the 2019 season, Carl Junction coach Doug Buckmaster’s Bulldogs, dominated the Tigers, scoring early and, despite a few early season jitters, put the hammer down and never looked back.
With just 1:15 to go in the first quarter a 45-yard pass from Alex Baker to Drew Patterson put the Bulldogs on top 7-0.
The Bulldogs struck again with 6:20 to go in the second on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Baker to Brady Sims, who ended the night with eight yards receiving and 108 rushing yards to go along with two touchdowns. The score put the Bulldogs up 14-0.
Willard tried to make a game of it, scoring with 4:29 to go in the half, taking advantage of blown coverage by Carl Junction. The point-after kick was missed, however, leaving Carl Junction with a 14-6 advantage.
After a block-in-the-back penalty on the ensuing kickoff, the Bulldogs started the next drive on their own 5-yard line. A few plays later, a 42-yard pass from Baker to Patterson, who finished the night with seven receptions for 141 yards, put the Bulldogs deep in Tiger territory in waning minutes of the half. Another quick pass to Patterson gave Carl Junction a first-and-goal look from the Tiger 4, with Sims punching it in with just 1:41 left in the half. A successful two-point conversion gave Carl Junction a 22-6 lead at halftime.
Willard’s Evan Hancock scored on a 50-yard touchdown pass after a broken tackle ato cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 22-12.
Carl Junction went to work, however and another long touchdown pass — 47 yards from Baker to Noah Southern — with 7:53 left in the game put the Bulldogs up for good, 29-12.
UP NEXT
Carl Junction hosts the No. 6-ranked Carthage Tigers at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4.
