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STATE FOOTBALL: Lamar overcomes 21-point deficit to beat Valle Catholic in title game

 

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Lamar overcame a three-score deficit and scored the go-ahead touchdown in overtime to knock off Valle Catholic 35-28 on Saturday night in the MSHSAA Class 2 Show-Me Bowl on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.

It’s Lamar’s ninth state football championship and second under the direction of Jared Beshore.

In a clash between state powerhouses, the title game was deadlocked at 28 at the end of regulation. 

In overtime, Lamar needed just one play to score, as junior Alex Wilkerson ran for a 25-yard touchdown. 

The Lamar defense held the Warriors out of the end zone on the ensuing drive to secure the victory. 

It was a remarkable comeback for the Tigers, as Valle Catholic scored the game’s first 21 points.

Overall, Lamar scored 35 of the game’s final 42 points, as the Warriors were limited to one touchdown in the second half.

Valle Catholic’s Rylan Fallert hauled in a 37-yard touchdown pass from Grant Fallert at the 10:45 mark of the first period to give the Warriors an early 7-0 advantage.

After Lamar’s first drive ended with a turnover on downs, Valle Catholic extended its lead to 14-0 after a 4-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Gegg that came with 3:01 left in the opening period.

The Tigers had a promising drive going early in the second quarter, but it resulted in a turnover on downs.

Valle Catholic went up 21-0 after Gegg’s second touchdown reception of the game, this time on a 75-yard pass from Grant Fallert. 

Lamar got on the board when Wilkerson connected with Chase Querry on a 69-yard touchdown strike with 6:18 left in the first half. 

After a defensive stop by the Tigers’ defense, Logan Kish finished off the ensuing drive with a 2-yard run with 2:01 left in the second quarter, trimming Lamar’s deficit to 21-14. 

Valle Catholic took a 28-14 advantage with 6:30 left in the third quarter on a 37-yard touchdown pass to Colin Henderson. 

Next, Lamar was stopped on fourth down, resulting in another turnover on downs.

But a botched Valle Catholic punt gave the Tigers great field position, with Lamar taking over on the 4. Two plays later, Lamar’s Wilkerson scored on a 3-yard plunge, cutting Catholic’s lead to 28-21 with 10:18 left.

After a defensive stop, Lamar tied the game at 28 with 6:11 remaining in regulation after a 91-yard touchdown pass from Wilkerson to Querry, along with the PAT kick by Jose Juarez.

Both teams had opportunities late in regulation, but neither team was able to score and the game went into overtime. 

Lamar (13-1) recorded 474 yards of total offense, with 257 rushing and 217 passing.

Wilkerson ran 23 times for 135 yards and also passed for 217 yards on eight completions.

Valle Catholic (12-2) finished with 376 yards, 264 passing and 112 rushing.

The Tigers were in the championship game for the fourth straight season, finishing second in both ’22 and ’21 after winning the title in ’20. 

 

 

FULL STATS: MSHSAA 11-Man Football: Valle Catholic vs. Lamar – 12/2/2023

STATE FOOTBALL: Lamar back in the state title game after blowing out Bowling Green

LAMAR, Mo. — Lamar is back in a familiar setting—playing for a state title.

The Tigers jumped out to a big lead and never let up in a 47-16 win over Bowling Green in the Class 2 semifinals on Saturday.

Lamar scored the first four touchdowns of the game before Bowling Green reached the scoreboard early in the second half. With a sizable lead, the Tigers continued to add on in the second half and built a 39-point advantage at one point en route to the win.

Lamar (12-1) will take on Valle Catholic (12-1) in the Class 2 state title game at 3 p.m. on Saturday. It is the fourth straight year that the Tigers will play for a state title. 

Lamar took the initial lead when WR Chase Querry took a third-down handoff to the far edge and sprinted his way past everyone on the way to a 32-yard touchdown for a 7-0 lead over Bowling Green with 10:02 to play in the opening quarter. 

The Tigers struck again when QB Alex Wilkerson found WR Ian Ngugi for a 34-yard touchdown pass with 5:47 to play in the first quarter. The long passing score put the Tigers up 14-0.

Wilkerson came up with an interception on defense, his first of two in the first half, with six minutes left in the first half to take possession deep in Bowling Green territory. 

Wilkerson made the most of his turnover when he kept the ball to the left before diving across the goal line for a short-yardage touchdown with 4:04 left in the first half for a 21-0 lead.

After Lamar’s defense forced a turnover-on-downs with two and a half minutes left in the first half, the Tigers used a 38-yard reception from Wikerson to Ngugi to get in goal-to-go territory before Wikerson found Ngugi for a 3-yard touchdown and a 27-0 lead with 20 seconds to play in the first half. 

Bowling Green got on the scoreboard for the first time early in the second half when RB Bleyne Bryant ripped off a 56-yard touchdown run before a pass completion converted the 2-point try for a 27-8 score.

The Tigers ballooned their lead when WR Cooper Haun hauled in an 18-yard reception from Wilkerson to make the score 33-8 with 8:15 left in the third quarter.

Wilkerson came up with a hat trick of interceptions when he came up with a 47-yard pick-6 to push the lead to 40-8 in favor of Lamar with 7:26 left in the third quarter. 

The Tigers added another score just minutes later after coming up with another turnover—a fumble recovery by Trace Wooldridge—that set up a 10-yard touchdown run from Wilkerson to make the score 47-8 with six minutes to play. 

Bryant broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run with two minutes left to wrap the scoring for the Bobcats as well as the game.

Lamar gained 295 yards on the ground (390 total offense) with Wilkerson carrying 15 times for 82 yards and two touchdowns, while Haun added 11 carries for 70 yards and Logan Kish gained 82 yards on 14 attempts. In the air, Wilkerson completed 5-of-10 passes for 95 yards and three touchdowns, while Ngugi caught three passes for 74 yards and touchdowns.

STATE FOOTBALL: Lamar dominates second half, advances to semifinals for 4th straight season

 

LAMAR, Mo. — For the fourth straight year, the Lamar Tigers have advanced to the state semifinals.

Propelled by a dominant second half, Lamar defeated Lafayette County 41-7 in a Class 2 quarterfinal on Saturday afternoon at Thomas M. O’Sullivan Stadium.

The Tigers (11-1) will host Bowling Green (13-0) in next Saturday’s semifinals, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. 

Up 13-7 at halftime, the Tigers outscored the Huskers 28-0 after intermission.

Lafayette County entered the game averaging 50 points per game and the Tigers held the Huskers to seven.

Lamar struck first, as junior Alex Wilkerson scored on a 21-yard QB keeper with 1:36 left in the first quarter. The score, which was set up by a 28-yard gain by Chase Querry, capped a 70-yard drive.

Finishing off a long, time-consuming drive, Lafayette County tied it up when Shakor George hauled in a 4-yard touchdown pass from Brock Page with 3:35 left in the second quarter. 

The Tigers retook the lead with 35 seconds left in the first half on Cooper Haun’s 11-yard touchdown run. The PAT kick was no good, however, and Lamar led 13-7 at halftime.

The final touchdown of the first half was set up when Wilkerson completed a 19-yard pass to Logan Kish with his team facing fourth down and six. 

A wide open Querry hauled in a 28-yard touchdown reception at the 9:48 mark of the third quarter. Haun ran in for the 2-point conversion, giving Lamar a 21-7 advantage. 

After a defensive stop, Wilkerson connected with Haun on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 6:45 left in the third period for a 28-7 cushion.

A 42-yard touchdown sprint by Haun, along with the PAT kick by Jose Juarez, gave Lamar a comfortable 35-7 lead with 3:30 remaining in the third quarter.

The Tigers added a score with 6:18 left on a 24-yard reception by Ian Ngugi. 

Lamar rushed for 324 yards and passed for 91 for 415 yards of total offense.

The Huskers were limited to 141 yards of total offense (71 rushing and 70 passing). The Tigers limited the Huskers to eight rushing yards in the second half. 

The Tigers grabbed a pair of interceptions and also recovered a fumble. 

Lafayette County ends the season with a record of 12-1.

FOOTBALL: Five area teams set for quarterfinal matchups

 

Five area prep football teams are set to compete in the state quarterfinals, with semifinal berths up for grabs.

Two local teams will be in action on Friday night.

In a Class 5 quarterfinal, Webb City (9-2) will host Grain Valley (10-1) at 7 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium. 

In a Class 3 clash, Seneca (11-0) travels to Ava (11-0), with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

Three area teams will take the field on Saturday afternoon for their respective quarterfinal contests.

There are two Class 4 quarterfinals of local interest, as McDonald County (8-4) hosts Jefferson City (8-4) and Nevada (9-2) travels to Kearney (10-2).

In Class 2, Lamar (10-1) hosts Lafayette County (12-0).

All of Saturday’s games are scheduled for 1 p.m.

FOOTBALL ROUNDUP: McDonald County, Lamar capture district titles

 

MCDONALD COUNTY 40, BOLIVAR 21

The McDonald County Mustangs captured the program’s first district championship by beating Bolivar 40-21 in the Class 4 District 6 title game on Friday at SBU.

The Mustangs led 14-7 at halftime and 27-21 at the end of the third period.

Destyn Dowd scored four touchdowns for the Mustangs, while Josh Pacheco and Sam Barton contributed one touchdown apiece.

McDonald County (8-4) will host Jefferson City (8-4) in the Class 4 quarterfinals on Saturday.

 

LAMAR 35, ADRIAN 18

Lamar won the Class 2 District 5 title on Friday.

Adrian held an 18-14 lead at the end of the third quarter before the Tigers scored 21 unanswered points in the final frame.

Lamar (10-1) hosts Lafayette County (12-0) in the quarterfinals at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Big 8 West captured four district titles on Friday, as Seneca, Lamar, Nevada and Mac County all won their respective title games.

FOOTBALL: No. 1 Lamar locks down Nevada, prevails 14-0 in ‘Silver Tiger’ game

NEVADA, Mo. — Ian Ngugi’s electrifying 68-yard punt return proved decisive as top-ranked Lamar edged host Nevada 14-0 in an old-school defensive battle between two highly-ranked opponents on Friday night at Logan Field. 

“This is the most excitement and energy I’ve seen us bring into a Friday night game this year,” said Lamar coach Jared Beshore.

Entering the much-hyped matchup averaging 47 points per game, Nevada’s powerful rushing attack was held in check, as Lamar (6-1) was able to bottle up standout tailback Jack Cheaney. 

Beshore said that the game plan centered on being physical at the point-of-attack, tackling well and winning the field position battle — and that they executed those facets of the game with near-flawless precision. 

“As much work as we put into our defensive prep during the week, our goal and expectation is to be perfect on every drive,” Beshore said. “We know that doesn’t always happen, but tonight, our kids played about as close to it as anybody has seen this year. I really think it’s the best product we’ve put on the field — both special team and defensively this year.”

Beshore was also pleased that his offense was able to overcome the loss of starting signal-caller Alex Wilkerson, who was out with an ankle injury. 

“We needed to make plays and take time off the clock with a big drive, and we did that,” Beshore said, specifically mentioning a methodical drive that chewed up more than six minutes of clock in the fourth quarter, punctuated by senior running back Logan Kish’s 2-yard touchdown run that staked Lamar to a 14-0 advantage. 

While Beshore was confident that his defense would be able to maintain its high level of physicality, he said that Ngugi’s punt return late in the first half made his team believe that victory was within reach.

“We were playing great defensively and knew a play was going to pop up at some point,” he said. “And Ian’s punt return was the play that got the momentum going in our direction.” 

Lamar senior Ian Ngugi (1) flashes his playmaking abilities as makes Nevada defenders miss on a 68-yard punt return for a touchdown on Friday night. Photos courtesy of Brandi Redman.

After fielding the punt, Ngugi cut-back twice to the left, leaving a bevy of Nevada defenders in the dust en route to the spectacular 68-yard touchdown return. 

“He’s a big-time playmaker and athlete,” Beshore said. “As talented as Ian is, he’s also one of the hardest workers on the team.” 

Ngugi described how the “confidence-boosting” play unfolded and got Lamar “kind of rolling.”

“I actually wasn’t supposed to run that way,” Ngugi said with a chuckle. “The blocks were set up good, so I just had to make a couple of cuts.”

The drought continues for Nevada, who have not emerged victorious in the storied rivalry since 2004. Beshore, meanwhile, said that the Lamar coaching staff did its part to emphasize the importance of a rivalry that dates to 1921. 

“We let them know that it’s a big deal for both communities and that they’re not just playing for this team but are playing for every Lamar team that has ever played in this game,” he said. 

Nevada coach Wes Beachler said that his team “didn’t play well enough” in the trenches in the stinging defeat. 

A pass deflects off the hands of Nevada junior tight end Caden Klumpp in the fourth quarter of Friday night’s 14-0 loss to rival Lamar. The pass, thrown by junior quarterback Kellen Braden, was intercepted by Lamar’s J.R. Romero.

“We had several six to eight-play drives that we couldn’t finish,” he said. “In a game like this, if we score on one or two of those drives and we get 14 on the board, it probably changes the entire outcome.”

Beachler noted his team played great defensively. Nevada held Lamar to 157 yards, just 90 rushing. 

Beachler added that his club has to “get better in some facets of the game” that they were “exposed” by Lamar. 

“You get to this level and play against teams that are this good, all the chinks in the armor are going to get exposed,” he said. 

Beachler said that all is not lost, as Nevada (6-1) can still finish with at least a share of the Big 8 West crown. But that would likely require a victory over the juggernaut Seneca Indians in two weeks on Senior Night.

“We still have a chance to make a mad dash for a shared championship,” he said. “But if you sit around feeling sorry for yourself for too long, you’re going to wind up dropping more games than you should.”

Beachler said that there is no chance that his squad overlooks next week’s matchup with winless Monett.

“We haven’t overlooked anybody all year,” he said. “We’ve played at a high level against good teams — and we also play at that same level against teams we’ve outclassed.” 

 

WHAT’S NEXT? 

Ranked No. 1 in Class 2, Lamar hosts Cassville, while Nevada, ranked No. 7 in Class 4, travels to Monett.

 

Nevada vs Lamar High School – Varsity Football – 10/6/2023 – Box Score – Hudl

 

Lamar junior running back Carson Sturgell (12) looks for a running lane during Friday night’s 14-0 victory over Nevada. Photos courtesy of Brandi Redman.

 

Nevada senior running back Dezmon Robinson (9) picks up a nice gain during the first half of Friday night’s rivalry game with visiting Lamar.

 

Lamar’s seniors celebrate Friday night’s 14-0 Silver Tiger triumph over Nevada. Photo by Matt Resnick.

 

 

FOOTBALL: Seneca knocks off Lamar in showdown of undefeated powers

In a heavyweight clash featuring two of the state’s top-ranked teams, the Seneca Indians landed a knockout blow in Friday night’s 28-14 triumph over the host Lamar Tigers. 

Entering the contest as the No. 3 ranked team in Class 3, Seneca (4-0) had yet to yield a point on the season, outscoring its opponents by a combined 143-0. Lamar (3-1), the No. 1 ranked team in Class 2, broke through on the Indians’ vaunted defense on the game’s opening drive.

Facing a third and 18, junior signal-caller Cooper Haun connected with speedy wideout Ian Ngugi for a 25-yard touchdown strike and a quick 7-0 lead. 

The Indians replied with a methodical 10-play, 80-yard drive, capped by Morgan Vaughn’s 6-yard touchdown reception. Vaughn also punched in the 2-point play, handing the Indians an 8-7 advantage. 

The first half was mostly a defensive slugfest, accentuated by sophomore defensive back Brodie Probert’s 62-yard pick-six — staking the Indians to a 14-7 halftime advantage. 

Seneca quickly set the tone in the second half, picking up a pair of fourth-down conversions as it marched downfield. While Ethan Altic’s playmaking abilities have been on full display this season, it was fellow wideout Blake Skelton who out-leaped double coverage for a spectacular 35-year touchdown reception. A failed 2-point play left the Indians with a 20-7 lead at the concussion of the third quarter. 

Quickly back in possession, Seneca quarterback Gavyn Hoover linked up with Altic for a 40-yard completion deep in Lamar territory. Facing a 4th-and-goal from the 3, Hoover rolled to his left and lofted a perfectly placed pass to Altic for a 3-yard touchdown grab. Hoover then dropped back on the 2-point play and found Hagen Ginger in the back corner of the end zone, as the Indians seized a 28-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. 

Lamar entered the contest averaging 40 points per game but looked overmatched against the Indians’ suffocating defense. While Seneca dominated the trenches, its secondary was also lights out — with Probert coming up with his second interception of Haun, snuffing out a fourth quarter drive. After scoring on its opening possession, Lamar didn’t find paydirt again until late in the fourth quarter. 

To tell it like Lamar head coach Jared Beshore, limiting explosive plays was of paramount importance. But a cascade of highlight-reel plays ultimately doomed his squad. 

“Are we going to be able to prevent or limit big plays?” Beshore told SoMo Sports prior to kickoff. “Seneca knows how to get the ball into the hands of its playmakers.” 

Beshore also said that the Tigers had steadily been gaining confidence after “ups and downs” to begin the season. 

“We had a tough game against Logan-Rogersville, but I think we learned a lot without losing that game,” he said of the 34-14 victory in Week 2. “We’ve been more physical the past few weeks and have been playing more confidently — and I think we’re a better football team than we were in Week 1.” 

The Tigers defense did limit Hoover to just 15 passing yards in the first half, but the standout signal-caller finished the contest with 135 yards through the air. Skelton, meanwhile, finished with five receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. 

 

WHAT’S NEXT?

While Seneca and Lamar are Big 8 foes, there will not be a rematch because they’re in different classes. The juggernaut Indians host winless Monett next Friday, while Lamar travels to East Newton.

 

STATE TRACK & FIELD: East Newton boys finish 2nd in Class 3

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The East Newton Patriots earned the runner-up plaque in Class 3 at the MSHSAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday at Adkins Stadium.

Bowling Green won the Class 3 team title with 74.5 points and East Newton’s boys were second with 37.

Lutheran North (30) and Herculaneum (30) tied for third place in the final team standings.

East Newton junior Chase Sorrell earned three medals over the two-day event.

On Friday, Sorrell won the 800-meter run with a time of 1 minute, 53 seconds and also finished second in the 1600 with a time of 4:17.

On Saturday, Sorrell earned his third medal of the meet by finishing third in the 3200 in 9:30. 

East Newton had three other medalists, as Michael Crowe was the runner-up in the high jump (6-4), Dominic Shaw finished sixth in the discus (145-6) and Eden Enlow finished seventh in the javelin (149-10).

 

CLASS 3 MEDALISTS

Three individuals and two relays from the area earned all-state recognition in Class 3 with their performances on Saturday. 

Seneca’s Isabella Renfro was the runner-up in the girls shot put with a toss of 39-11.5, while Aurora’s Makena Hall placed third in the 100-meter hurdles in 15.59 seconds and Lamar’s Elise Ferris finished fifth in the long jump (17-10.25).

Mount Vernon’s 4×100 relay team of Adalyn Mesicek, Camryn Cornell, Kadence Krempges and Nina Cowherd finished seventh in 50.83 seconds.

On the boys side, Lamar’s 4×400 relay team of Carson Sturgell, Blaine Breshears, Pierce Heins and Ian Ngugi finished fourth in 3:27.

On Friday, Lamar junior Trace Wooldridge won the shot put with a toss of 55-0.25.

 

STATE BASEBALL: Stockton ends Lamar’s season in Class 3 sectionals

 

LAMAR, Mo. — The Lamar Tigers fell behind 4-0 after two and 6-0 after four innings during their season-ending 9-3 loss Tuesday against Stockton in a Class 3 Sectional 6 contest at Shoff Field inside the Lamar City Park.

Stockton, ranked fourth in Class 3 in the final regular season poll of the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association, improved to 22-4 overall and the visiting Tigers won their 11th straight game by pushing across one run in the first, three in the second, two in the fourth, and three in the seventh while their pitchers Easton Hubbard and Sayge Painter limited the host Tigers to a three-spot in the sixth.

Down 4-0 in the third, Lamar started a two-out rally as senior Ty Willhite reached on an error, sophomore Alex Wilkerson singled to left, and sophomore Cooper Haun worked a walk to load the bases.

Hubbard worked his way out of the jam though when he induced Tyler Ansley into a fielder’s choice to end the inning and preserve the 4-0 lead.

In the next half-inning, Stockton pushed across two more for a six-run advantage.

“I always said the greatest thing about baseball is that we go into every game with one goal: Hit the ball hard when you’re up to bat,” Lamar coach Thad Lundine said. “I can go back and tell you we probably had 15 hard-hit balls that were right at people, and that’s why I say it’s the best sport in the world because you throw everything you’ve got in one basket and guess what … sometimes you’re not going to be successful.

“It teaches you to be a man, it teaches you to grow up, and that’s what I was impressed with, we never quit. There was no quit to these kids, even when things looked gloom, they just kept playing and hoping and that’s what I love about this senior group. They just kept firing.”

Wilkerson led off the home sixth with a double to left, as Stockton’s Jack Rickman struggled with the little hill out in left at Shoff Field.

Haun and Ansley worked a walk and were hit by pitch, respectively, to load the bases with no outs and Lamar pushed across three with a Ryan Davis RBI fielder’s choice and a Jaxon Hearod RBI groundout, as well as the second run from a Stockton throwing error.

Rickman worked a walk to lead off the seventh and Stockton added three runs on two hits and three Lamar errors.

Hubbard and Wyatt Downs played fundamentally sound, team baseball, sacrificing an out for a run to push Stockton’s lead back to six entering the bottom of the seventh.

Wilkerson reached on an error and stole second, but Hubbard and Painter struck out the side to advance Stockton into the state quarterfinals Thursday against either Licking or Forsyth and end Lamar’s season at 14-14.

“They hit some balls hard, but most of the balls that caused us problems, it wasn’t a whole hell of a lot we could do with it,” Lundine said. “I mean, it was in the gap, it was overhead, nothing was really tagged hard. We had more hard-hit balls than they did.

“You live on an island in baseball. Sometimes, that’s a fun island to be on. Sometimes, that’s not a fun island to be on. … It ain’t always paradise.”

Lamar seniors Tate Ansley, Tyler Ansley (who provided a defensive highlight Tuesday by throwing out a runner at home from left), Ethan Ball, Davis, Hearod, Hunter Lundine, and Willhite each played their final games Tuesday — Lamar won a district title in baseball for the first time since 2019 and the Tigers vied for their first sectional win since 2002.

“We were talking about that before I came over here,” Coach Lundine said. “My son was actually in Nevada up until his freshman year, so I was coaching his teams and whatnot. I asked them, ‘When’s the first time we ever met?’ They were like, ‘Oh, 14, 15.’ No, when’s the first time we met. Then, they started thinking. We played against each other on that little bitty field down there all those years ago.

“For this group, that’s very special to me. I’ve seen them when their extra small baseball pants were too dang big for them, and they’ve grown into great young men. It’s a battle … with them graduating and me retiring, it’s a bad deal but at the same time, you’ve got to be proud of where you came from and how far you’ve gone.

“Throw records out, throw everything else out, at the end of it, I always tell myself that on the last day there’s nothing that’s going to make me love them more and nothing that’s going to make me love them less. Just go out there and battle, and we’ll let the chips fall.”

 

SECTIONAL TRACK & FIELD: College Heights girls advance to state in Class 3; Lamar boys win team title

WEST PLAINS, Mo. — The College Heights Christian girls track team advanced to state in three events at Saturday’s Class 3 Sectional 3 meet at West Plains High School.

The top four finishers in each event advanced to next weekend’s state meet in Jefferson City.

College Heights Christian’s 4×400-meter relay team of Jesalin Bever, Jayli Johnson, Allie Stout and Lauren Ukena finished third in 4:15.

The CHC 4×200 relay team of Johnson, Stout, Ukena and Bever finished fourth with a time of 1:48.

A senior, Johnson finished fourth in the 400 with a time of 1:01.

In other events, Bever finished seventh in the 100 hurdles and Ukena was eighth in the 200. 

The CHC girls finished eighth in the 4×100 relay, with Johnson, Stout, Ukena and Addison Lawrence competing.

 

LAMAR BOYS WIN TEAM TITLE

Lamar’s boys won the team title with 109 points. East Newton was second with 72.5, while Fair Grove was third with 69 and Owensville was fourth with 67.

Lamar’s boys won the 4×100, took second in the 4×800 and finished third in both the 4×200 and 4×400 relays.

Lamar’s Tyson Williams won the discus (149-9) and took second in the shot put (48-4.25).

Pierce Heins was the runner-up in the 400 and Jase Dillon was second in the high jump.

Also for the Tigers, Trace Wooldridge was third in the shot put, Ian Ngugi finished third in both the 100 and 200, Carson Sturgell took third in the pole vault, Cameron Sturgell was third in the javelin, Terrill Davis finished third in the long jump and Blaine Breshears was fourth in the 400.

 

OTHER CLASS 3 HIGHLIGHTS

East Newton’s Chase Sorrell won the 800 in 1:58 and took first in the 1600 with a time of 4:31. A junior, Sorrell was fourth in the 3200.

East Newton’s Michael Crowe won the high jump (6-1.25), Eden Enlow took first in the javelin (153-3) and Dominic Shaw won the shot put (48-9.75) and took second in the discus (148-11).

For the Cassville boys, Matteo Lumetta took third in the 3200, Caleb Leach finished fourth in the 800, Ashton Wheeler was fourth in the long jump and Charles Elliott took fourth in the 300 hurdles. Cassville won the boys 4×800 relay.

Mount Vernon’s Jacob Erpelding was fourth in the 110 hurdles and Aurora’s Daunte Floyd finished third in the triple jump.

On the girls side, Seneca’s Isabella Renfro won the shot put with a toss of 39-2.75.

Lamar’s Kiersten Potter won the 3200 in 11:33 and took second in the 1600 in 5:20, while Elise Ferris won the long jump (16-10) and Audra Lloyd finished third in the discus.

Mount Vernon’s Camryn Cornell was third in the high jump, Nina Cowherd placed fourth in the 100 and Kadence Krempges took fourth in the pole vault. Mount Vernon’s girls finished third in two relays, the 4×100 and the 4×200.

Cassville’s Jolie Evans finished third in the 800 and fourth in the 3200, while teammate Aaliyah Franklin took fourth in the discus.

Aurora’s Makena Hall won the 100 hurdles and the pole vault and took third in the long jump, while teammate Maisie Phillips was fourth in the 100 hurdles.

East Newton’s Brooke White finished third in the shot put.

Seneca’s Cambry Long just missed qualifying in the 400 after finishing fifth.

DISTRICT BASEBALL: Lamar tops East Newton in title game

LAMAR, Mo. — Top-seeded Lamar beat second-seeded East Newton 3-0 in the championship game of the Class 3 District 11 baseball tournament on Thursday.

Lamar (14-13) hosts Stockton (21-4) at 5 on Tuesday in the sectional round of the state tourney.

The Tigers scored twice in the first inning and once in the fourth.

Lamar’s Tate Ansley earned the pitching victory after limiting East Newton to two hits and one walk in seven innings. 

Tyler Ansley had two hits and drove in a run. Austin Wilkerson and Brody Gardner also had RBI.

Mason Hailey pitched 5 2/3 innings for East Newton, allowing one earned run on seven hits while striking out nine. Christian Cook recorded one out. 

The Patriots finished 9-16.

BASEBALL: Joplin closes regular season with run-rule win over Lamar

Joplin went to work early with the bats in the form of two-out magic and closed the regular season with a 12-2 win in six innings over Lamar on Wednesday at the JHS Athletic Complex.

The Eagles opened with two runs in the first before a five-run second frame with two outs put Joplin firmly in control. Joplin, which scaroed 10 of their 12 runs with two outs, added two more runs with two outs in the third before Lamar got on the board with two runs in the fifth. The scoring continued for the Eagles with a run in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the sixth to end the game early. 

“It’s a game that you feel good about because you did a lot of good things throughout the course of it,” Joplin coach Kyle Wolf said. “We have been looking for that big two-out hit all year. To see us get three or four of them in fifth to put up that crooked number was good to see. … It was something we started to see in Kansas City this past Saturday. … You’re hoping maybe there is some momentum being built as we head into the district tournament.”

Joplin closes the regular season with a 9-19 record and is in action next in the Class 6 District 6 tournament at Republic High School on Tuesday.

“I want to see us go compete and play the game hard,” Wolf said. “It’s cliche, but it’s true. Everyone is 0-0. We should take a deep breath. We have been carrying a lot of weight with some things this year. It’s a moment where we have a chance to unload that and just go play baseball.”

Lamar closes the season with a 12-12 record and hosts the Class 3 District 11 tournament as the top seed. The Tigers take on the winner of fourth-seeded Sarcoxie and fifth-seeded Diamond at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Eli Sotlar, who didn’t surrender a hit until the fifth inning, earned the win for Joplin after allowing two runs, one earned, on one hit, three walks and four strikeouts in five innings of work. 

“When Eli is consistently in the zone, Eli is difficult to hit,” Wolf said. “He has proven that throughout the course of the year. For the most part today, he competed in the zone and the big thing was he was able to throw his fastball for strikes. When he does that, it allows his offspeed stuff to be better. I thought he did a nice job today for us.”

Tate Ansley took the loss after allowing nine runs on eight hits, two walks and two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. 

Joplin’s offense started early, collecting three hits in the first inning to push across a pair of runs. Byler Reither doubled to shallow left with one out before Layten Copher ripped a ball to the gap in left-center to score Reither for a 1-0 advantage. Two batters later, Jackson Queen went opposite field for a sharp single to plate Copher and give the Eagles a 2-0 advantage.

Joplin added insurance in the second inning with a two-out rally. After the first two batters went down in order, Caden Shoemaker was hit by a pitch before moving to third on a hit-and-run single by Brady Mails. Reither drove a run in with a fielder’s choice before Sotlar helped himself with a bases-loaded, three-run double two batters later to push the lead to 6-0. The Eagles pushed the lead to 7-0 following an RBI single to right by Queen in the next at-bat.

“I told them that kind of crushes the other team,” Wolf said of the barrage with two outs. “They feel like they’re so close to getting out of that inning and you just keep adding on. That’s why we say two-out hits win games. Good job overall at the plate by those guys.”

Copher came up clutch again with a two-run triple to right-center field with two outs to push the lead to 9-0 in the third inning. 

Lamar got on the board when a run scored on a wild pitch before Eli Hull picked up an RBI on a groundout.

Joplin got a tally back in the bottom half of the inning with another two-out run on an RBI single to right field from Reither before putting the game away in the sixth with two more runs, including one last lightning strike—a two-out RBI single from Reither to end the game in walk-off fashion.

Reither finished the day with four hits, including a double, three RBI and three runs scored to lead Joplin at the plate. Queen had three hits, two RBI and scored a run. Copher doubled and tripled on the way to three RBI and two runs scored. Sotlar also doubled and tallied three RBI and scored a run.

TRACK & FIELD: Host Tigers, area athletes shine at Lamar Relays

LAMAR, Mo. — Local tracksters competed at the Lamar Rotary Relays on Thursday.

Lamar’s boys won the team, while the Lamar girls were second in the final team standings. The team champion in the girls meet was Pittsburg, Kansas.

Seneca and McAuley Catholic were among the Joplin area schools competing.

 

BOYS HIGHLIGHTS

Monett’s Konner Poynter won three events—the 100-meter dash in 11.42 seconds, the 110 hurdles in 15.55 and the 300 hurdles in 40.26. He was second in the 200 in 22.66 seconds. 

Lamar’s Terrill Davis (high jump, triple jump) and East Newton’s Chase Sorrell (800, 1600) won two events apiece. 

Winning events for Lamar were Ian Ngugi (200), Tyson Williams (discus), Cameron Sturgell (javelin) and Trace Wooldridge (shot put). 

Other event winners were Monett’s Julio Cruz (3200) and Nevada’s Drew Beachler (long jump).

Lamar’s boys won three relays, the 4×100, 4×200 and 4×400. East Newton won the 4×800. 

McAuley Catholic’s Michael Parrigon finished third in the 1600 (4:50) and teammate Joe Staton was eighth in the pole vault (8-6.25). 

Seneca’s Blake Hurn finished fifth in the 100 and eighth in the 200, while Grant Landers was fifth in both the long jump and triple jump, Ethan Altic took sixth in the 800 and Brock Pendergraft placed seventh in the javelin.

 

GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS

Jasper’s Crystal Smith won four events—the 200 in 26.64 seconds, the 100 hurdles in 15.32, the 300 hurdles in 47.03 and the high jump (5-5.75).

Lamar’s Kiersten Potter (1600, 3200) and El Dorado Springs’ McKinli Mays (triple jump, 800) each won two events. 

Other individual event winners were Seneca’s Isabella Renfro (shot put), Monett’s Vayla Smith (400) and Lamar’s Elise Ferris (long jump).

Lamar’s girls won the 4×800.

McAuley Catholic’s Kendall Ramsey placed third in the 1600 (5:53) and seventh in the 800 (2:43).

Also for Seneca, Amber Garrison finished fourth in the javelin, Cambry Long took fifth in the 200, Amber Garrison was sixth in the shot put, Anna Adkins finished seventh in the high jump and Harley Lankford took seventh in the discus.

 

Lamar Rotary Relays

Boys team scores: Lamar 175, Monett 107, Nevada 79, East Newton 74, Pittsburg 67, El Dorado Springs 52, Jasper 44, Butler 40.5, Pierce City 25.5, Seneca 25, Liberal 18.5, McAuley Catholic 14, Miller 4.5, Lockwood 4.

Girls team scores: Pittsburg 104, Lamar 87, El Dorado Springs 85, Butler 74.5, Monett 74.5, Jasper 57, Nevada 42.5, Pierce City 42, Seneca 36, Liberal 32, Sheldon 24, Miller 16.5, East Newton 16, Lockwood 11, McAuley Catholic 8, Bronaugh 6.

 

TRACK & FIELD: Wildcats, Mustangs perform well at East Newton 

GRANBY, Mo. — Neosho and McDonald County were among the schools competing at the East Newton Invitational on Thursday.

Lamar’s boys and Bolivar’s girls won the team championships. Neosho’s girls were second in the standings, while the Neosho boys finished fifth.

The McDonald County girls finished seventh and the MCHS boys were eighth. There were 11 full teams competing.

 

NEOSHO HIGHLIGHTS

Leading the way for the Neosho boys, Brice Warren took second in the discus, Collyn Kivett was the runner-up in the javelin and William Ebbinghaus finished second in the 400.

Colton Burr placed third in both the 100 and 200, while Lathan Cote (long jump) and Tyrone Harris (triple jump) both finished fourth. Finishing fifth in their events were Cade Camerer (long jump), Nicolas Olivares (shot put), Harris (100) and Adam Farrell (3200).

Finishing sixth were Gabriel Mabrey (800), Levi Dennison (110 H), Konnor Payton (300 H) and Carter Baslee (discus, shot put).

The Wildcats took third in the 4×800 relay, with William Ebbinghaus, Mabrey, Corbin Ables and Carson Newell.

Neosho’s 4×100 relay team of Bentlee Farley, Michael Day, Cote and Harris finished fifth.

For the Neosho girls, Claire Burghart was the runner-up in the triple jump.

Taking third in their events were Jazmyn Washington (high jump, 100 hurdles), Kaylee Schibi (discus) and Riley Kemna (3200), while Kali House (400) and Chloe Wood (3200) finished fourth and Miranda Wennhold (long jump) and Raine Harris (100 H) earned fifth-place finishes.

Finishing sixth were Ebbinghaus (200), Kemna (1600), Washington (300 H), Harris (LJ), Wennhold (TJ) and Kinley Wilson (pole vault).

Neosho’s 4×800 relay finished third, with Wood, Burghart, Carley Lane and Kemna competing.

The team of Rylyn Moritz, Regan Weber, Kendra Clark and Madilyn Ebbinghaus finished third in the 4×200 relay. Moritz, Weber, Kali House and Ebbinghaus finished third in the 4×100 relay.

The Wildcats were fifth in the 4×400, with House, Burghart, Olivia Emery and Lane running.

 

MCDONALD COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS

McDonald County’s Toby Moore placed third in the shot put and fourth in the discus, while Caleb Garvin finished third in the 3200 and Andrew Moritz took fourth in the javelin.

The Mustangs finished fifth in the 4×200 relay, with Eli Jordan, Samuel Barton, Julio Rosiles and Aidrian Short competing.

Mac County was also fifth in the 4×400, with Dominic Cervantes, Jordan, Short and Hunter Leach running.

The McDonald County girls won the 4×400 relay in 4:23, with Clara Horton, Corina Holland, Ireona Nirka and Anna Price competing.

Anissa Ramirez and Analisa Ramirez finished second and fourth, respectively, in the javelin.

Savannah Leib (high jump), Lacey Nix (pole vault), Malia Diaz (shot put) and Holland (200) all finished fourth in their respective events, while Dallie Racher was fifth in the 400. Taking sixth were Price (800) and Gia Coffel (HJ).

 

LOCAL EVENT WINNERS

Local event winners in the boys meet were Aurora’s Daunte Floyd (high jump), Lamar’s Ian Ngugi (100, 400), Terrill Davis (long jump) and Cameron Sturgell (javelin), East Newton’s Chase Sorrell (800, 1600), River Enlow (triple jump) and Dominic Shaw (shot put), Jasper’s Noah Neher (discus) and Mitchel Avalos (200) and Diamond’s Zachary Roughton (110 H, 300 H).

Local event winners in the girls meet were Jasper’s Crystal Smith (high jump, 100 H, 300 H, 200), Cassville’s Annie Moore (pole vault), Aurora’s Makena Hall (long jump), Mount Vernon’s Nina Cowherd (100) and Lamar’s Kiersten Potter (1600, 3200).

 

East Newton Invitational

Boys team scores: Lamar 114.5, Bolivar 101, Cassville 85, East Newton 68, Neosho 67, Jasper 40, Aurora 39, McDonald County 26, Diamond 24, Pierce City 16, Mount Vernon 8.5.

Girls team scores: Bolivar 149, Neosho 68.33, Cassville 60, Mount Vernon 58, Lamar 55, Aurora 53.33, McDonald County 44.33, Jasper 43, Pierce City 38, East Newton 18, Diamond 2.

BOYS GOLF: Nevada tops Lamar in home match

NEVADA, Mo. — Nevada’s boys golf team began the 2023 season on a positive note by defeating Lamar 197-223 in a dual on Monday at the Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course.

Nevada sophomore Preston Drake shot a 45 to earn medalist honors. Nevada freshman Peyton Wyant took second with a 46 and sophomore Wyatt Jenkins shot a 48 to finish third.

Rounding out Nevada’s team score was sophomore Hunter Gruenhagen with a 58. Also competing for Nevada was freshman Jethro Solidum (70).

“I was very pleased with how the boys got around the course,” Nevada coach Brian Leonard said. “This was the first outing for everyone on the team except Preston, so I’m sure there were several first contest butterflies going around. I wasn’t sure how the boys would score today, but I was very happy to see several of the scores in the upper 40s. I know with continued work on the short game, those scores can get down to the lower 40s if not in the upper 30s before the season is over. We really haven’t had too much time to work on the short game due to the unfavorable weather we’ve had over the last two weeks. It has really put a damper on some of the practice time on the actual course.  

“We will work on several of the swing flaws on Tuesday at practice, then we will continue to work and improve on the short game…chipping and putting on Wednesday,” Leonard added. “We need to reduce the number of putts and get the ball closer to the hole when we miss the green.”

Competing for Lamar were Koen Littlejohn (49), Rein Stephen (53), Cade Moore (59), Connor Kennedy (62) and Trey Shaw (65).

Nevada will host McDonald County and Butler for a triangular on Thursday.

STATE FOOTBALL: Blair Oaks holds off Lamar for Class 2 title

COLUMBIA, Mo. The Lamar Tigers came up just short of the program’s ninth state championship, dropping the Class 2 title game to Blair Oaks 32-27 on Friday at Faurot Field.

Despite being flagged 12 times for 174-yards to Blair Oaks’ 20 yards in penalties, and despite giving up some big plays to the Falcons, Jared Beshore’s Tigers put themselves in a position to win the game at the end.

“We faced some dark times in the second half, but the kids never backed down,” Beshore said. “We got the ball back with six minutes to go and we gave ourselves a chance. I’m extremely proud of how hard they fought.” 

A fourth down pass deep in Blair Oaks territory fell incomplete as Lamar suffered a second heart-wrenching championship loss in as many seasons. Last year, Lutheran St. Charles scored the game-winning touchdown in the waning seconds. It was later determined that they had 12-men on the field when they scored.

“The No. 1 thing I told the kids after the game is that we love them and that the coaching staff is very proud of them,” said Beshore, whose team finished 12-2. 

Blair Oaks ran the table at 14-0. The state title was their third in the last five years.

Lamar senior Austin Wilkerson finds running room in Friday’s Class 2 state championship game at Faurot Field on the campus of the University of Missouri. The Tigers dropped the contest to Blair Oaks 32-27. Photo by Chris Morrow.

Lamar got on the board first when senior quarterback Joel Beshore busted a run up the middle for 21-yards on the Tigers’ first possession. Lamar’s defense then forced a punt when Xavier Pagacz and Cameron Sturgell combined to sack Dylan Hair on second and long. The tandem pressured him into an errant throw on third down.

The Falcons got the ball back via a Lamar fumble. They would get on the board midway through the second quarter when Hair fired a slant to Alec Weiberg, who outran the Lamar defense 78-yards for the score. The point after attempt was no good.

A 10-play drive culminated in a 6-yard Beshore scoring run as Lamar extended its advantage. But with just 10 seconds to play in the half Hair hit a wide-open Nichol Closser for a 36-yard touchdown. Ty Willhite broke up the two point conversion try and Lamar led 14-12 at the break.

The Falcons took their first lead on a 49-yard run by Hair early in the third quarter.

The back-and-forth affair continued with junior Ian Ngugi making an over-the-shoulder catch on a deep ball from Beshore. The play covered 44-yards and the Tigers regained the lead at 21-20. 

Hair scored on a two-yard run late in the third quarter and then struck with another big play through the air, finding Wieberg for 72-yards to give the Falcons a two-score lead.

Lamar junior Ian Ngugi goes up for a pass in the second quarter of Friday’s Class 2 state title game. The pass was broken up. Blair Oaks came from behind to defeat Lamar 32-27. Photo by Chris Morrow.

Coach Beshore went to his bag of tricks at the midway point of the fourth quarter. Willhite took the handoff on an apparent run play, but then pulled up and threw a strike to Ngugi on a halfback pass. The 50-yard touchdown got the Tigers back in it.

After getting a defensive stop, the Tigers offense mounted a drive that was stymied by penalties and eventually died out at the Falcons’ 25.

Coach Beshore praised a senior class that was instrumental in taking the team to three state title appearances in a row.

“This group has faced a lot of adversity, even going back to the summer,” he said. “We knew that they would need to grow and mature as leaders if we were going to become a great team. They put in the work. They became great leaders and as a coaching staff, we couldn’t be more proud of this group of kids.” 

Beshore is particularly close to this senior class. He’s been watching his brother Joel and his classmates play tackle football since they were in the third grade.

“It’s not just the kids who put up the stats or get the honors that made this happen,” Coach Beshore said. “It’s all of them. They stepped up. They made the sacrifice of their time and their effort in the weight room and on the field and they were able to reap the benefits.” 

Joel Beshore finished with 115 yards on 21 carries. Terrill Davis had 111 on 14 attempts. Austin Wilkerson added 50 yards on the ground and Cooper Haun had 40. Beshore was 3-for-7 passing for 86 yards and the score. Ngugi caught two balls for 94 yards, scoring on both. Willhite caught two balls for 42 yards to go with this passing touchdown.

Hair ran for 94 yards and passed for 250. Wieberg led the Falcons’ receivers with four grabs for 170 and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Wilkerson led the Tigers with eight total tackles. Six were solo stops. Beshore and Willhite each had four tackles. Alex Wilkerson added three.

 

Jared Beshore’s team had a terrific 2022 campaign, going 12-2 and reaching the Class 2 state title game, which they lost to Blair Oaks, 32-27.

STATE FOOTBALL: Lamar meets Blair Oaks in Class 2 title game

The Lamar Tigers will take on the Blair Oaks Falcons at 3 p.m. on Friday at Faurot Field in the MSHSAA Class 2 Show-Me Bowl.

Lamar (12-1) advanced to the state championship game by beating Seneca 56-14 in the semifinals.

Blair Oaks (13-0) beat Bowling Green 66-48 in the other semifinal. 

The Tigers average 48 points per game and give up 10. The Falcons have scored 57 points per game this season while allowing 15.

Last year’s runner-up, Lamar is looking to secure its ninth state championship. 

The Tigers claimed state titles in 2011, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17 and ’20.

The game can be watched online (for a fee) at the link below. 

 

WATCH ONLINE: https://www.mshsaa.tv/?B=473830

STATE FOOTBALL: Lamar advances to state title game with 56-14 win over Seneca

LAMAR, Mo. — Lamar eliminated the turnovers and miscues that cost the Tigers in a loss to Seneca back in September. As a result, the Tigers are returning to the Class 2 state title game for the 10th time in 12 seasons.

Jared Beshore’s team raced out to a 28-0 first-quarter lead and never looked back, avenging the 36-33 loss at Seneca with a 56-14 win over the Indians in Saturday’s Class 2 state semifinal at Thomas M. O’Sullivan Stadium.

Lamar quarterback Joel Beshore runs for a touchdown in the Tigers’ win over Lamar in the state semifinals on Saturday. Courtesy Photo

“We were very physical on both sides of the football. Our kids were ready to play,” said Beshore, whose team will square off with Blair Oaks Friday. The Falcons (13-0) defeated Bowling Green 66-48 to stamp their ticket to the title game.

Lamar took the opening kickoff and orchestrated a five-play drive that covered 63 yards and culminated in a 48-yard scoring run by senior quarterback Joel Beshore, Jared’s younger brother.

“Our offensive line played really well. The kids bought into what we were trying to do,” said Coach Beshore.

Following a three-and-out by the Indians, Lamar set up shop at their own 31-yard line and on the first play from scrimmage, senior Ty Willhite broke loose on a jet sweep around the right end dashing 69-yards to paydirt.

Seneca junior passer Gavyn Hoover was under duress much of the afternoon. A third-down sack by Cameron Sturgell on Seneca’s next possession forced a punt. Three plays later Lamar was in the end zone again, this time on a pass from Beshore to Sturgell that covered 9 yards.

Lamar senior Austin Wilkerson demonstrated why he was the Class 2 Defensive Player of the Year last fall by picking off a pass on Seneca’s ensuing possession. He returned it for a touchdown and then early in the second quarter he showed that he could get it done on the offensive side of the ball too. The Tigers called a play-action pass and Beshore connected with Wilkerson who was all alone in the middle of the field. The 62-yard scoring strike put the home team up 35-0.

Despite the deficit, second year coach Cody Hilburn’s Indians showed resiliency. Seneca mounted a 15-play drive and worked the ball deep into Lamar territory. Junior running back Jackson Marrs picked up a third-and-5 and then a fourth-and-2 on the ground. Facing a fourth-and-1 from the Lamar 33-yard line, Hoover powered his way to a first down. They turned the ball over on downs when Lamar’s Rourke Dillion made a tackle for no gain on a fourth and five at the Tigers’ 25-yard line.

Lamar led 35-0 at the half.

Seneca came out of the locker room swinging, taking the second half kickoff and marching into Lamar territory. However, a deep pass on fourth and long from Hoover to Conner Ackerson was broken-up by Beshore.

Hilburn wasn’t surprised that his team continued to fight.

“We have high character kids in Seneca. We never have to coach attitude or effort,” he said.

For much of Lamar’s championship run over the last decade-plus, they have been a run-heavy team. However, since Beshore took over the helm of the program from Scott Bailey, the Tigers have incorporated a more balanced attack. They went to the air again late in the third quarter. Joel Beshore dropped a perfect spiral into the outstretched arms of Wilkerson who raced into the end zone from 30 yards out.

Hoover put a pass on the money to junior Blake Hurn for a 35-yard touchdown to put the Indians on the board late in the quarter.

Seneca’s Gavyn Hoover throws for a first down in the Indians’ loss to Lamar in the state semifinals on Saturday. Courtesy Photo

Lamar got fourth quarter scoring runs from Cooper Haun and Logan Kish and with just over a minute to play in the contest, Hoover scored on a 3-yard carry to set the final score.

Following the game, Hilburn praised his seniors:

“They bought in with every change. They never asked why, they just did it,” he said, adding, “And because of that, we were able to make it one step further than we did last year.”

Last season, the Indians reached the quarterfinal in Class 3.

They will bring back an experienced and talented group in 2023.

“Last year, we went right back to work after the season. These kids (that are returning) are going to have put in the time. We’re going to have to get bigger, stronger, faster,” said Hilburn, who says he believes the Big 8 Conference, which both schools are longtime members of, is the best small school conference in the state of Missouri.

Lamar defensive coordinator Chris Wilkerson echoed those sentiments.

“We had to beat a very good football team today. Our kids up front and playing in the box (on defense) played a hell of a football game,” he said.

Seneca finished with 129 yards on the ground. Hoover was good on 8-of-21 pass attempts for 110 yards. The Tigers were led in tackles by Willhite who had seven solo stops. Wilkerson had seven total tackles to go with his interception. His brother, sophomore Alex Wilkerson, picked off a pass in the second half.

Beshore was 5-of-7 passing for 150 yards. The Tigers (12-1) racked up 330 yards rushing. 

Lamar will be looking to earn the program’s ninth state title when they take Faurot Field on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia on Friday. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

STATE FOOTBALL: Title game berths on the line Saturday

Three local prep football teams will look to secure a spot in a state championship game on Saturday. 

 

CARTHAGE VS. FRANCIS HOWELL

In a clash between the top-ranked squads in Class 5, Carthage (11-1) entertains Francis Howell (12-0) at 1 p.m. on Saturday in a semifinal clash at David Haffner Stadium. 

No. 1 in Class 5 by the Missouri Media, Carthage advanced to the semifinals with last Saturday’s convincing 35-14 win at Lebanon. 

Carthage is in the semifinals for the first time since 2019, the year the Tigers won a state title. 

The Tigers, who are led by senior running back Luke Gall and senior QB Cooper Jadwin, are averaging 41 points per game. Jon Guidie’s Tigers allow 15 points per game.

No. 2 Francis Howell handled Timberland 49-18 in their quarterfinal contest. 

The undefeated Vikings, who moved down from Class 6 this season, are averaging 49 points per game while giving up 14 per contest.

The other Class 5 semifinal features Fort Osage (10-2) vs. Cape Girardeau Central (10-3).

The Class 5 state title game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Faurot Field in Columbia.  

 

HOW TO WATCH: MSHSAA TV

 

SENECA AT LAMAR

This highly-anticipated rematch between Big 8 rivals will determine who plays for a state championship.

Lamar (11-1) hosts Seneca (11-1) at 1 p.m. on Saturday at O’Sullivan Stadium. 

Of course, Seneca defeated Lamar 36-33 back in Week 4. 

Since that loss, Lamar has reeled off eight straight wins, including last week’s dominant 54-0 victory over Holden in the quarterfinals.

The Tigers are averaging 47 points per game and allowing nine. 

Seneca advanced to the semifinals with last week’s 28-14 win over Liberty. 

Seneca is averaging 41.5 points per game and allowing 19 per contest. Seneca’s lone loss came to Nevada on Oct. 21 (49-14). Lamar beat Nevada 47-26.

The Indians are in the semifinals for the first time since 2013, while the Tigers are in this round for the third straight season.

The Lamar-Seneca winner will meet either Bowling Green (12-0) or Blair Oaks (12-0) in the Class 2 title game at 3 p.m. on Dec. 2 in Columbia. 

Blair Oaks is the top-ranked team in Class 2, with Lamar third, Seneca fourth and Bowling Green sixth.

 

HOW TO WATCH: https://www.mshsaa.tv/?B=470999

 

STATE FOOTBALL: Lamar rolls past Holden in state quarterfinals, Tigers to host Seneca in semifinals

HOLDEN, Mo. — Lamar didn’t allow Holden to pick up a first down in the first half on the way to building a commanding 41-0 lead by the intermission before cruising to a 54-0 victory over the Eagles on Saturday in the Class 2 quarterfinal round of the state playoffs.

With the win, the Tigers (11-1) move on to the Class 2 semifinals and will host Seneca (11-1) on Saturday at Thomas M. O’Sullivan Stadium for an all-Big 8 Conference matchup. The Indians, who moved past Liberty 28-14 in the quarterfinal round, defeated Lamar 36-33 earlier in the season. 

After forcing Holden (8-4) into a three-and-out, Lamar needed just two plays to get on the scoreboard on its first drive of the game after QB Joel Beshore broke free for a 33-yard rushing touchdown to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 9:57 on the clock. 

Lamar doubled its cushion on Holden after the defence forced another three-and-out before the offense followed it up with a time-eating drive that ended with Beshore hooking up with RB Austin Wilkerson for a 15-yard touchdown pass with 3:47 left in the first quarter to push the advantage to 14-0.

On the Tigers’ ensuing drive, Beshore went to the air for another touchdown, using play action before rolling out and completing a 9-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Sturgell to push the margin to 21-0 with less than nine minutes to go in the first half.

Lamar’s Alex Wilkerson picked off a Holden pass for the game’s first turnover to set up a 38-yard passing score down the seam from Beshore to Austin Wilkerson for a second time to make the score 28-0 with 7:40 to play in the first half. 

Holden, down four scores, turned it over on downs in its own territory with 5:46 left in the first half. Lamar capitalized, using a 27-yard completion from Beshore to WR Ian Ngugi set up a 1-yard touchdown run from WR Terrill Davis for a 34-0 lead with 3:57 left in the second quarter.

Davis followed up his 1-yard score with a 69-yard rushing touchdown with 1:11 left in the first half to give the Tigers a commanding 41-0 advantage.

Starting the second half with possession and a running clock, it didn’t take long for Lamar to find the end zone again as RB Cooper Haun ripped off a 31-yard rushing touchdown with 8:36 left in the third quarter to make the score 48-0.

Lamar’s Trent Torbeck added a 1-yard touchdown as time expired in the third quarter to give the Tigers a 54-0 lead. 

Holden picked up its only first down of the game on the final drive while facing a fourth-down and 1 with just over a minute remaining in regulation.