Overcoming an early 13-point deficit, and riding a dominant second half, Webb City extended its winning streak to five by beating Willard 43-16 on Friday night in Central Ozark Conference action.
Taking the field in front of a large homecoming crowd, Willard scored the game's first 13 points and took a two-point lead into intermission, 16-14.
But the visiting Cardinals controlled the second half, outscoring the Tigers 29-0 after the break.
Ranked second in Class 5, Webb City is now 5-1 on the season. Despite missing several key performers due to injuries, the Cardinals have won five straight games after dropping the 2023 opener at Nixa.
The Week 6 clash didn't start out particularly well for Webb City.
The Cardinals turned the ball over on the second play of the night, as Willard's Omero Inda converted a fumble recovery into the game's first touchdown.
Willard went up 13-0 at the end of the first quarter on Russell Roweton's 56-yard QB keeper.
Webb City got on the board with 5:06 remaining in the second quarter on junior running back Noah Durman's 1-yard touchdown plunge.
After forcing the Tigers to punt, the Cardinals took a 14-13 lead with 1:05 left in the first half after Durman's 4-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals went 67 yards on the go-ahead drive and were aided by two Willard penalties and a key pass from senior Braden McKee to classmate Payton Marshall.
The Tigers were able to answer just before the break, as Willard's Jonathan Lupescu connected on a 35-yard field goal with two seconds left in the first half, giving the Tigers a 16-14 halftime advantage.
The second half was all Webb City.
One play after sophomore defensive back Mason Williams grabbed an interception, Webb City's Durman sprinted to a 32-yard touchdown run, his third score of the night.
Junior wide receiver Joseph DeGraffenreid hauled in the 2-point conversion, giving the Cardinals a 22-16 lead with 7:37 remaining in the third period.
The visitors extended their lead with a little trickery. Senior tight end Jonah Spieker's 33-yard touchdown reception from McKee on a flea flicker gave Webb City a 29-16 lead with just over 10 minutes left.
Three plays after Willard turned the ball over after failing to secure a punt, Webb City went up 36-16 with 6:21 remaining on McKee's 10-yard QB keeper.
Junior Kyler Wood's 2-yard touchdown plunge with just over two minutes showing on the clock accounted for the final margin.
The Tigers fell to 3-3.
Webb City is now 23-0 all-time against Willard.
The Cardinals once again played without several key performers due to injuries, including sophomore QB/RB Gabe Johnson.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Webb City (5-1) is at rival Carthage (3-3) in Week 7.