By: Jason Peake
Webb City sent its seniors out on a positive note.
Bouncing back nicely from last week's setback, Webb City rode a strong fourth quarter to a 37-18 Senior Night victory over Neosho on Friday in Central Ozark Conference action at Cardinal Stadium.
"Sending the seniors out with a win was the goal tonight," Webb City coach Ryan McFarland said. "They've done such a great job for us all year. Everyone always remembers their Senior Night game, so we wanted to make sure we sent them out on a high note."
On the night the team's 33 seniors were recognized, Webb City definitely had to earn the win.
The hosts were clinging to a 20-18 advantage in the third quarter against the upset-minded Wildcats. But the Cardinals scored 17 unanswered points in the final frame.
"Hats off to our defense," McFarland said. "At halftime, everyone was frustrated. Neosho's Quenton Hughes does a phenomenal job at quarterback and running their offense. But hats off to our defense for getting some stops late in the game."
The Wildcats were looking for their first win over Webb City since 1999. Despite a solid effort, it wasn't meant to be.
"I'm proud of our kids," Neosho coach Brandon Taute said. "They fought really hard. That's a testament to who our kids are. It's been a rough year as far as close game after close game after close game. It would've been easy for them to check it in at any point, but tonight shows who they are. These kids just keep battling and battling."
Webb City and Neosho have been assigned to Class 5 District 7, so they could see each other again in the postseason.
Both teams hope to make some noise when the district playoffs arrive.
Taute noted he's confident his Wildcats still have their best performance ahead.
"I think we're capable of beating anybody," Taute said. "If we can clean some things up and put together a full game, I think we're capable of making a deep run in the playoffs. Playing our best football in Week 10 has been the goal all along."
McFarland said his team still has work to do if it wants to accomplish its goal of making a deep postseason run.
"We made too many mistakes in the first half, but credit Neosho," McFarland said. "Neosho's defense caused us some problems. We've got to be better than that moving forward if we want a chance to do something in the postseason. The last two weeks we've made too many mental mistakes, and we have to get those things fixed."
GAME RECAP
Webb City junior running back Noah Durman got the hosts on the board with a 4-yard touchdown run up the middle with nine seconds left in the first quarter, capping an 11-play, 54-yard drive.
Three plays after a Webb City turnover on downs, Neosho junior wide receiver Hudson Williams hauled in a 26-yard touchdown pass from Hughes with 6:55 left in the second quarter. The PAT kick was blocked by Webb City's Brody Eggleston, keeping the Cardinals in front, 7-6.
On the next series, speedy sophomore Gabe Johnson bounced to the outside and sprinted to a 51-yard touchdown run for the Cardinals, extending the lead to 14-6.
Johnson's 1-yard QB keeper made it 20-6 with just over 40 seconds remaining in the first half.
The score wouldn't hold up for long.
Neosho went 68 yards on four plays in just 42 seconds, scoring just before the half when junior Tyrone Harris caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Hughes. A 49-yard pass play to Harris set up the score, which trimmed Webb City's lead to 20-12 at the break.
After intermission, the Wildcats pulled within two after Harris hauled in a 31-yard pass with 4:33 left in the third quarter. The visitors attempted to tie the game, but the 2-point conversion was off the mark.
The Cardinals lost their second fumble of the second half on the next series, but the Wildcats were unable to take advantage, as the Webb City defense forced a key turnover on downs.
Webb City's Alex Dunne converted a 27-yard field goal with 10:20 left in the fourth quarter to give the Cardinals some breathing room at 23-18.
"Alex has done a great job all year, and we're not afraid to kick field goals," McFarland said.
After a Neosho punt, Webb City extended its lead to 30-18 with 6:51 remaining on a 33-yard touchdown strike to junior Jackson Lucas.
Next, Webb City junior defensive back Andrew Young recorded a 68-yard interception return with 5:38 left for the final exclamation point on the contest. It was Young's second interception of the night.
"Getting that pick six was obviously big," McFarland said.
NAMES & NUMBERS
Ranked seventh in Class 5, Webb City hiked its record to 6-2.
Webb City recorded 409 yards of total offense, with 270 rushing and 139 passing.
Junior Andrew Elwell led the Cardinals with 88 rushing yards on 21 carries, while Johnson had 87 yards on nine carries.
Jordan Howard made eight tackles and Brett Korth had six stops for the Webb City defense.
Neosho (1-7) finished with 360 yards, 273 through the air and 87 on the ground.
A senior, Hughes completed 19 of 37 passes with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Harris had 14 receptions for 179 yards and two scores, while Williams caught three passes for 66 yards.
Junior running back Denver Welch led Neosho's rushing attack with 80 yards on 19 carries.
Cade Spiva was credited with 11 tackles, while Bostyn Patterson had 10 stops.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Webb City concludes the regular season next Friday at Branson (4-4), while Neosho hosts Joplin (5-3) in Week 9.
WEBB CITY 37, NEOSHO 18
Neosho 0 12 6 0 — 18
Webb City 7 13 0 17 —37
SCORING SUMMARY
WC: Noah Durman 4 run (Alex Dunne kick)
NEO: Hudson Williams 26 pass from Quenton Hughes (Kick blocked)
WC: Gabe Johnson 51 run (Dunne kick)
WC: Johnson 1 run (Kick failed)
NEO: Tyrone Harris 7 pass from Hughes (Kick blocked)
NEO: Harris 31 pass from Hughes (Pass failed)
WC: Dunne 27 field goal
WC: Jackson Lucas 33 pass from Johnson (Dunne kick)
WC: Andrew Young 68 interception return (Dunne kick)