WILLARD AT JOPLIN
Records: Willard 0-4, Joplin 4-0
Last week: Ozark def. Willard 52-0; Joplin def. Carl Junction 44-6
Last year’s meeting: Willard def. Joplin 32-20
OUTLOOK: Joplin will be looking for a little revenge this time around against Willard. Last season, the Tigers earned their first win of the season against the Eagles with a 32-20 win. Joplin has already avenged two losses from a year ago in wins over Nixa and Ozark in Week 2 and 3.
The Eagles’ offense has been led by QB Always Wright, who has thrown for 959 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions on 76 completions. Wright has also picked up 161 yards rushing and three more scores on the ground in four games. Quin Renfro (273 yards, three TDs) and Drew VanGilder (208 yards, two TDs) lead the backfield. Joplin has five players over 100 yards receiving and two of those players over 200 yards—WRs Hudson Moore (256 yards, three TDs), Terrance Gibson (203 yards, two TDs), Bruce Wilbert (113 yards, two TDs) and tight ends LT Atherton (179 yards, five TDs) and Jack Stanley (121 yards).
Joplin’s defense is coming off its strongest performance of the season after allowing less than 200 yards of offense to Carl Junction, while forcing the Bulldogs into six punts, two turnovers on interceptions as well as a turnover on downs.
Joplin currently sits in a tie atop the Central Ozark Conference with Carthage, with both schools sporting a 4-0 record. Nixa is 3-1, while Republic, Carl Junction, Branson and Webb City are Republic, Carl Junction, Nixa and Webb City are all 2-2.
HOW TO WATCH: https://foxsportsjoplin.com/;
