Despite a valiant effort, a number of missed opportunities were too much to overcome as the Webb City Cardinals suffered a 14-7 loss to the Nixa Eagles on Friday night in the opener of the 2023 prep football season.
A back and forth first half ended with Nixa clinging to a 14-7 lead.
Neither team scored in the second half, as both defenses pitched shutouts after intermission.
The Eagles scored on the fourth play of the night when senior running back Spencer Ward sprinted 66 yards to the end zone with 10:15 left in the first quarter. The PAT kick was no good.
The Cardinals answered on their first drive of the night, as a 7-yard touchdown plunge by senior running back Breckin Galardo finished off a 10-play, 64-yard drive at the 4:48 mark of the opening frame.
After Webb City missed a 43-yard field goal attempt, Nixa took a 14-7 lead with 5:53 left in the first half after senior QB Drew Blevins completed a 31-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Rylan Michel. Ward ran in for the 2-point conversion.
The Cardinals lost a fumble late in the first half, but the Webb City defense came up with a key fourth down stop, forcing a turnover on downs.
Webb City had another missed opportunity after a Nixa fumble. The loose ball was up for grabs, with the Eagles finally able to recover it and retain possession.
Webb City put together a nice drive after halftime, but the visitors had a costly penalty and then missed a field goal attempt with just over four minutes left in the third quarter.
After forcing the Eagles to punt, the Cardinals were stopped short on fourth down for a turnover on downs early in the fourth period.
The Webb City defense forced another punt on the next series.
Down seven late in the game, Webb City threatened to tie it up after gains on the ground by Galardo, Omari Jackson, Andrew Elwell, Braden McKee and Gabe Johnson put the visitors within striking distance.
But the Cardinals had a turnover on downs on the 12-yard line with just over two minutes left when the Eagles stopped a QB keeper from Johnson 1-yard short of the first down marker.
Nixa picked up a couple of first downs and ran out the clock.
The Eagles finished with 301 yards, with 225 rushing and 76 passing.
Senior running back Malachi Rider led the Eagles with 118 rushing yards on six carries, while Ward ran 10 times for 95 yards.
Webb City recorded 263 yards, 204 on the ground and 59 through the air.
A sophomore, Johnson ran for 75 yards on 20 carries, while Galardo finished with 73 yards on 19 carries. A senior, McKee completed five passes for 38 yards. Joseph DeGraffenreid had two catches for 38 yards. The Cardinals did not punt in the game.
Friday's contest was Ryan McFarland's debut as Webb City's head coach.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Webb City (0-1) hosts Carl Junction (0-1) in Week 2.