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SWEET SIXTEEN: Webb City holds on late, beats Holt for 16th state championship

By:
Jason Peake

COLUMBIA, Mo. — In a game that appeared all but over just minutes earlier, Webb City needed an interception near the goal line as time expired to preserve a historic victory.

With a late defensive stand, Webb City held on for a thrilling 26-21 victory over Holt on Friday night in the MSHSAA Class 5 Show-Me Bowl at Faurot Field.

“I’ve never been more proud of a group,” Webb City coach John Roderique said. “They’ve come so far from the beginning to the end. These kids were so resilient and tough. Hats off to them. I’m just so proud of our players and coaches. These kids got to fulfill a lifelong dream.” 

It’s Webb City’s 16th state championship, the most in state history. Before Friday, Valle Catholic and Webb City were tied with 15 titles apiece.

“Someday, we’ll look back and say that’s pretty amazing,” Roderique said. “It says a lot about our program. But it’s not something we talk about every day.” 

Webb City head coach John Roderique consoles Holt Indians’ Austin Bone (53) following the Indians’ 26-21 loss to the Cardinals on Friday in the Class 5 Show-Me Bowl at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. [Don Shrubshell photo]
The Cardinals were 4-3 at one point this season, and it’s safe to say not many people outside of Webb City expected this year’s group to capture another trophy.

“Six to eight weeks ago, we never thought we’d be in this position of playing in this game,” said Roderique, who has now led his alma mater to 13 championships, the most by a football coach in state history. “You always want to be playing your best football when the district tournament arrives. Our kids really believed. During that week we adopted a mantra. I remember making the comment, ‘Why not us?’ I could see something in our kids’ faces.” 

The Cardinals end the season at 11-3. It’s Webb City’s first title in Class 5.

“This means a lot,” Webb City senior lineman Buddy Belcher said. “I’ve wanted to win a state championship since I was a little kid.”

 

GAME RECAP

Webb City’s Dupree Jackson (28) is tackled by Holt’s Zakhi Johnson (2) and Isaiah Slaughter (31) during the third quarter of the Class 5 Show-Me Bowl at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. The Cardinals defeated the Indians 26-21. [Don Shrubshell photo]
Holt took an early 7-0 lead on Kyle Wuebbeling’s 23-yard touchdown run up the middle. 

The Cardinals answered on their opening offensive series. Webb City marched 65 yards on 14 plays to tie the game. The drive was capped by Cade Wilson’s 1-yard plunge. 

It was 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

With another methodical and time-consuming drive, Webb City took a 14-7 lead with 7:35 left in the second quarter on Dupree Jackson’s 3-yard touchdown run and Dante Washington’s PAT kick. 

The two teams traded turnovers, but neither team could take advantage. With that, the Cardinals had a one-score lead at intermission.

Webb City’s Lucas Ott (48) tackles Holt Indians’ quarterback Frank Merrell (4) during the fourth quarter on Friday in the Class 5 Show-Me Bowl at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. The Cardinals defeated the Indians 26-21. [Don Shrubshell photo]
Webb City manufactured a nearly eight-minute drive after the break. The series was finished off by Jackson’s 6-yard scamper. The PAT was off the mark, and the Cardinals led 20-7 with 4:22 left in the third period. 

Next, Webb City’s Kaylor Darnell recovered a Holt fumble on the ensuing drive. It was caused by Gavin Stowell.

A few plays later, Wilson sprinted 13 yards to the end zone. The 2-point conversion failed, but the Cardinals went ahead 26-7 at the 1:25 mark of the third quarter.

Webb City appeared to be in position to put the game away on the next series, but a Cohl Vaden pass was picked off by Caden Duke near the end zone.

Roderique blamed himself for the play. 

“Terrible call,” he said. “That’s on me.”

Holt scored twice in the final frame, as Jackson Smith hauled in an 18-yard touchdown pass with 2:32 left before the Indians recovered an onside kick.

Isaiah Slaughter’s TD reception from 31 yards came with 1:46 left and trimmed Webb City’s lead to 26-21.

Webb City was unable to run out the clock. The Cardinals punted with 1:20 left.

Webb City head coach John Roderique talks to his crew during the second quarter on Friday. [Don Shrubshell photo]
Braxton Surber had a key sack on the last drive for the Webb City defense. The Indians moved the ball to the 28-yard line. On the final play, Frank Merrell’s potential game-winning pass was intercepted by Jackson on the 3-yard line as the final horn sounded.
“Our defense had a chance to win the game for us and they did,” Roderique said. 

Roderique also credited Holt for making things interesting late in the game.

“They competed on every down,” he said. “Those guys are gritty. Hats off to those guys. What a battle.” 

The Indians suffered their first loss of the season after 13 wins. 

 

 

NAMES & NUMBERS 

Webb City compiled 342 yards, with 277 rushing and 65 passing. 

A senior running back, Cade Wilson had 162 yards on 31 carries with two touchdowns. Jackson finished with 104 yards on 21 carries. 

Vaden completed 5 of 12 passes for 65 yards. Brentan Wilson, a senior linebacker, made six tackles to lead the Webb City defense. 

For a large part of the night, Holt could never get its defense off the field, as the Cardinals sustained drives again and again. Webb City’s time of possession was 32:19, while Holt’s was 15:41.

Holt finished with 328 yards, 186 passing and 142 rushing. Wuebbeling ran for 120 yards, while Merrell passed for 173 yards on 13 completions.

 

FINAL THOUGHT

As Friday night’s postgame press conference finished up, Roderique noted this year’s group will always have a special place in his heart. 

“Cade Wilson sums up this team,” Roderique said. “None of them are big enough, fast enough, strong enough. But I’ll remember their will to win and their will to prepare to win. I’m going to have great feelings about this team. I love these guys, no matter what happened tonight. This is a special group. We had fun every day. We wish we could keep playing.”

 

FULL STATS: MSHSAA 2021-2022 Class 5 11-Man Football State Tournament Matchup: Webb City vs. Holt

 

The Webb City Cardinals celebrate their 26-21 championship win over the Holt Indians Friday when the teams played in the Class 5 Show-Me Bowl at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. [Don Shrubshell photo]
Webb City Cardinals players and coaches say a prayer following their 26-21 win over the Holt Indians Friday when the teams played in the Class 5 Show-Me Bowl at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. [Don Shrubshell photo]
Webb City’s Dupree Jackson (28) blocks for Cade Wilson (8) as he runs the ball during the third quarter Friday when the Webb City Cardinals played against the Holt Indians in the Class 5 Show-Me Bowl at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. The Cardinals defeated the Indians 26-21. [Don Shrubshell photo]
Holt Indians’ Frank Merrell (4) makes a pass before he is tackled by Webb City’s Lucas Ott (48) during the second quarter Friday when the Webb City Cardinals played against the Holt Indians in the Class 5 Show-Me Bowl at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. The Cardinals defeated the Indians 26-21. [Don Shrubshell photo]
Holt Indians’ Scott Ginnever (83) can’t reach a pass from quarterback Frank Merrell (4) during the second quarter Friday when the Webb City Cardinals played against the Holt Indians in the Class 5 Show-Me Bowl at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. The Cardinals defeated the Indians 26-21. [Don Shrubshell photo]
Webb City’s Braeden Jakson (72) celebrates Cade Wilson’s (8) touchdown during the third quarter Friday when the Webb City Cardinals played against the Holt Indians in the Cass 5 Show-Me Bowl at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. The Cardinals defeated the Indians 26-21. [Don Shrubshell photo]

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