Defense holds, offense scores for the win

Webb City got back to winning – on homecoming – Friday with an exciting 34-28 win over the previously unbeaten Neosho Wildcats.

It was the first Central Ozark Conference West Division contest for both teams. Other teams in the division are Carthage, Joplin, Republic and Willard.

The Cardinals’ next games are on the road: at Republic on Oct. 4 and at Willard on Oct. 11.

The Cardinals (2-3) and the Wildcats scored tit-for-tat touchdowns into the fourth quarter.

After the offense caught up 28-28, the defense held the Wildcats on downs on their next drive. With 3:45 left, Webb City’s offense got two first downs and scored the go-ahead touchdown on Jackson Lucas’ 23-yard pass to Joseph DeGraffenreid.

Webb City’s defense held again with just 35 seconds left on the clock.

Slade Hurd’s 42-yard run on a pitch from Lucas was the key play on the Cardinals’ first scoring drive. He also got the touchdown on another pitch from 3 yards out.

Andrew Young caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Lucas as the Cardinals retook the lead (14-13) in the second quarter.

The game was tied again (21-21) in the third quarter on a 48-yard drive that ended with Lucas’ 21-yard run.