Bob Foos
Webb City was the talk of the local sports world Friday night after the Cardinals upset the 2025 Class 6 finalist Nixa Eagles by keeping them from scoring in the second half for a 23-21 win.
Adding to the shock was the fact that the Eagles were on a 31-game regular-season winning streak going back to October 2022.
TV sports anchors were regretting their crews had only been at Cardinal Stadium for the first half.
Webb City trailed Nixa 21-7 at the half.
The Cardinals forced the Eagles to punt from their 40-yard line. But on their first possession, the Cardinals gave up the ball with a fumble on their 25. It only took the Eagles two pass plays to take advantage. WC 0 – Nixa 7
On Drake Claborn’s sixth carry of the Cardinals’ second possession, he broke through the line for a 45-yard touchdown. 7-7
In the second quarter, Nixa intercepted a pass and returned it 55 yards to Webb City’s 4-yard line before scoring two plays later. 7-14
Nixa quarterback Adam McKnight completed Nixa’s scoring (for the game, not just the half, it turned out) with a 21-yard carry. 7-21
On the first play of the second half, Webb City quarterback Mason Young ran the ball 80 yards to bring the Cardinals within a touchdown of the Eagles. 14-21
Gauge Heilbrun thwarted Nixa’s first second-half possession with an interception at the Webb City 35-yard line.
Abel Getz had two first-down runs, of 13 and 25 yards, during the Cardinals’ second possession.
Claborn finished the 9-play drive with a 4-yard run. 21-21
The teams traded possessions through the third quarter and into the fourth when Colton Rickman punted 54 yards as it was downed on the Eagles’ 2-yard line.
After a 3-yard run and 5-yard penalty, the Eagles were on their goal line when a holding call in the end zone gave Webb City a safety… and the lead. 23-21
With 10:21 left, the Cardinals also received the resulting kickoff, but Rickman had to punt again.
The Eagles drove to the Webb City 29-yard line before Brayden McMullen recovered McKnight’s fumble.
Webb City was able to maintain control for two first downs and had gone to Nixa’s 45-yard line when it appeared Young ran out the clock.
However, Nixa got the ball with 1 second left and initially lined up for a field-goal attempt. But two false starts put the scrimmage line out of range to their 47-yard line. McKnight heaved the ball toward the end zone, where it was intercepted by Rashiek Cole to end the game.
The 4-0 Cardinals were ranked second in Class 5 prior to the game, as were the Eagles in Class 6.
Webb City coach Ryan McFarland says defeating Nixa didn’t require anything special, just preparation, focus and determination.
Leading tackler Ethan Keller exemplified that determination. He broke his hand the week before at Ozark, but he wasn’t about to sit out the “biggest game of the year.” No. 8, contributed 8 tackles (6 unassisted) while wearing a cast.
In his post-game speech, McFarland told his players, “You’ve got a great thing going here.” That is if they keep up the preparation they displayed in advance of Nixa.
In fact, McFarland said he noticed an extremely high sense of urgency when he they first met on Jan. 10 to plan their season. And they’ve carried it through up until now.
“They’ve exceeded expectations at this point,” he said.
Team leaders include returning starters on the offensive line. Seniors Louden Bolinger and Kayle Chrismon are three-year starters. Grayson Gannaway, also a senior, is a two-year starter, as is junior Caleb Meinershagen.
The defensive line is a newer group, with junior Cooper Ray as a two-year starter. Other starters are senior Cooper Tingle and juniors Joaquin Escoto and Brylan Terry.
The undefeated Cardinals have risen to first in Class 5 in the State Football Rankings. They are back on the road this week at Willard, where the Tigers are 1-3.
The annual Paint the Town Red Parade and bonfire will be Wednesday, Sept. 30, in advance of the homecoming game on Oct. 2 against Carthage, now 3-1, with their loss at Nixa in week one.
Zachary Dobbs video
