‘New season’ starts for Cardinals with district opener at home

Despite their losing record, the Webb City Cardinals are seeded third in the Class 5 District 7 tournament and will host an opening round game here Friday against sixth-seeded Belton. The Pirates have a 4-5 record, but the 3-6 Cardinals are seeded higher based on strength of schedule and tighter scores.

Carthage and Grain Valley are the first and second seeds.

At Cardinal Stadium last week, the Cardinals and Joplin Eagles battled to a 35-35 tie at the end of regulation. Webb City scored first in overtime but lost 43-42 when the Eagles also scored a touchdown and were successful going for 2 extra points.

Webb City took a 12-7 lead in the second quarter when Brody Eggleston blocked a Joplin field-goal attempt. The loose ball was picked up by Andrew Young and run back for a touchdown.

The Cardinals closed the gap to 21-19 before the half when Jackson Lucas connected with Fisher Derrick in the end zone.

On the first play of the second half, Mason Williams forced a Joplin fumble, giving the Cardinals good field position. Slade Hurd finished the 36-yard drive with an 8-yard run. Gus Karnes caught a Lucas pass for the 2-point conversion. (27-21)

Webb City pulled ahead 35-28 in the fourth quarter as Hurd got a rushing touchdown, and Joseph DeGraffenreid scored on the conversion.

In overtime, Lucas pushed into the end zone for a touchdown, and Gavin Stodghill kicked the point-after.

After Joplin’s ensuing touchdown, Webb City’s defense was closing in on quarterback Daniel Rose when he threw across the field to John Jasper in the end zone.