The highly-anticipated showdown between Webb City and Nixa has arrived.
Ranked second in Class 5 by the Missouri Media and winners of five straight, Webb City (5-1) hosts undefeated Nixa (6-0) at 7 on Friday night in a key Central Ozark Conference football clash at Cardinal Stadium.
Ranked second in Class 6, the Eagles have outscored their opponents 240-60 this season, as new coach John Perry has reinvigorated the Nixa football program.
“I’m really excited about playing this game,” Webb City coach John Roderique said. “We know this is as good of a team that we’ll face. They’re as good as anybody that would be on our schedule. It’s a great challenge for our guys. You talk about a great test. And we want that for our team. You need that challenge to get better.”
Nixa is coming off a 35-7 win over Ozark, a team that entered Week 6 ranked eighth in Class 5.
“They’re a really impressive team,” Roderique said of the Eagles. “They’re 6-0 for a reason. They’re extremely well-coached in all phases. They’ve got a new offensive system and a new defensive system. Both fit their personnel really well. They’re utilizing their players really well. And they probably play more sophomores than anybody in the conference, so that’s impressive, too.”
Quarterback Austin McCracken leads the Nixa offense. He completed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Bray last week. Reid Potts is also seeing time at QB. Smith Wheeler is another receiver to watch.
Sophomore running back Ramone Green scored four touchdowns and ran for 128 yards on 21 carries last week against Ozark.
“They utilize two quarterbacks…one’s more of a thrower and one can run and throw,” Roderique said. “They have a talented young running back. The Green kid looks as good as anyone in the conference. They’ve got some speed at receiver and they look good up front. The thing that jumps out at you on film is just how hard they play. They play really hard in all three phases.”
Nixa’s closest game this season was a 35-34 win over Joplin in Week 2. Of course, Webb City’s lone loss was a one-point setback to Joplin in Week 1.
Webb City is coming off a 35-7 win at Branson.
The Cardinals shook off a somewhat sluggish start against the Pirates. The Cardinals gave up a long touchdown pass play early in the game and then didn’t allow much the rest of the way.
“We played a lot better in the second half,” Roderique said. “Defensively, we played pretty well other than giving up that big touchdown pass. Branson played well. They’ve been a team that has competed really well with everybody they’ve played.”
“Not necessarily where we want to be, but we’re all a little bit spoiled about those kind of situations and things,” Roderique added. “I think sometimes we don’t understand that everybody has good players in our conference. You just have to play well from the get-go.”
Webb City had 355 rushing yards and 26 passing. Branson had 67 rushing and 119 passing yards.
The Cardinals were flagged 10 times last Friday.
“That’s not playing very disciplined,” Roderique said. “And there were a lot of head-scratchers on the penalties, too. You can’t control that. It’s an element of the game you can’t control. We probably got caught up in that too much instead of doing things right. That was a good learning experience for all of us.”
Webb City lost junior running back Cade Wilson for the remainder of the season due to a leg injury. Wilson recorded 305 rushing yards and six touchdowns in six games. Wilson was coming off his best performance of the season, a three touchdown night against Carl Junction.
“Cade had surgery and is on the mend,” Roderique said. “He’s done for the football season. It’s really disappointing for Cade. He’s done such a great job for us.”
Junior running back Dupree Jackson filled in nicely with 23 carries for 160 yards.
“Dupree is one of those guys who has been waiting for his opportunity,” Roderique said. “I’m really excited about how Dupree filled in in Cade’s absence. He had a great game.”
Webb City is averaging 340 rushing yards and 55 passing yards per game.
Senior running back Devrin Weathers leads Webb City’s ground attack, as the Kansas State recruit has racked up 855 yards with 15 total touchdowns.
Senior quarterback Cole Gayman has rushed for 296 yards with two scores and passed for 294 with four touchdowns. Mekhi Garrard and Cohl Vaden have hauled in two touchdown receptions apiece.
Webb City’s defensive leaders are Lucas Ott (48 tackles), Matt McDaniel (34 tackles, four sacks), Treghan Parker (33 tackles, 3 INT) and Brayden Hollingsworth (32 tackles, three sacks).
Webb City has outscored its opponents 195-59 over the last five weeks.
They say time flies when you’re having fun, right? With that in mind, it may seem hard to believe, but after this week’s games only two regular season contests remain until the postseason arrives.
“Six weeks ago we were all wondering if we would make it this far,” Roderique said. “We’re excited to still be playing and to have the opportunity to play on Friday night. We just want to get a week better.”
HOW TO WATCH: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/webbcity/
