Bob Foos
The Webb City Cardinals are finishing their regular-season this week at Joplin.
After a disappointing 35-28 loss to Neosho here last week, the 5-3 Cardinals will be trying for their sixth win of the season – and their third win in four years against the 3-5 Eagles.
The location was also at Joplin a year ago, when the Cardinals came away with a 42-28 win against the Eagles.
Last week, the linebacker Ethan Keller gave the Cardinals good field position early when he recovered a Neosho fumble on the Wildcats’ first possession.
On the next play, Mason Young completed a 17-yard pass to Carter Lee for a touchdown. 7-0
The Wildcats scored on their second possession after a goal-line stand by Webb City’s defense. A two-point conversion put the Wildcats ahead 7-8.
Webb City regained the lead in the second quarter with a 16-play, 78-yard drive that ended with Abel Getz scoring from 2 yards out. 14-8
Lucas Waggoner covered up Brady Wallace’s onside kick on Neosho’s 21-yard line. Drake Claborn carried the ball 9 yards for the Cardinals’ third touchdown. 21-8
The two sides exchanged 3-and-out possessions before Neosho scored again with 40 seconds left in the half. 21-15
Webb City accepted the second-half kickoff but gave up a fumble on the first play from scrimmage. Neosho took advantage with a 31-yard drive. 21-22
Neosho scored again, this time on a 12-yard pass. 21-28
Webb City tied the game at 28 as the fourth quarter started. That 63-yard drive was highlighted by a 14-yard run by Young and a 29-yard run by Claborn. Getz ran it in from the 2-yard line. 28-28
Neosho took the lead again with 5:27 left in the game. 28-35
The Cardinals’ attempt to tie the game ended at their own 46-yard line as they failed to convert on fourth-and 4.
Ethan Keller led the Cardinal defense with 10 tackles, all unassisted. River Lenker had 8 tackles, also all unassisted.
Drake Claborn was the leading Webb City rusher, with 109 yards.
