Jordan Howard carries the fumbled football he recovered, which fires up Tucker Liberatore and Harris Olsen.

What a first quarter – Webb jumps on Republic 21-7, finishes 42-21

Here comes unbeaten Joplin Friday

Bob Foos

September 13, 2023

Omari Jackson scores the first touchdown.

The Webb City Cardinals took advantage of two fumbles and a blocked a punt while taking a 21-7 lead during the first quarter Friday at Republic. They gave the Tigers their first loss of the season and came home with a 42-21 win.

This week, the 2-1 Cardinals are preparing for a rivalry game with the unbeaten Joplin Eagles on Friday at Cardinal Stadium.

Coach Ryan McFarland is anticipating a large enthusiastic crowd. “it’s Joplin week! This is a great opportunity to play a really good football program. We are looking forward to the challenge and excited to see all of Cardinal Nation at the game!”

Homecoming is Sept. 22 vs. Ozark, following the Paint the Town Red parade and bonfire on Wednesday. Prior to the bonfire, retired coach John Roderique will be honored for having the field at Cardinal Stadium named for him.

Conner Gayman

Republic’s Wyatt Woods opts for intentional grounding instead of being sacked by Harris Olsen.

Taking out their frustration

“I felt our defense was a little frustrated with how they played as a whole in the Carl Junction game,” says McFarland.

“During practice leading up to the Republic game you could tell that our defensive players were focused and mentally prepared.

“Our defense caused three fumbles, had one interception and blocked a punt.”

In that lopsided first quarter, Republic got off one play before lineman Tucker Liberatore recovered the first fumble at the Tigers’ 15-yard line. Carries by Breckin Galardo and Omari Jackson put Webb City ahead 7-0.

On Republic’s third play, Jordan Howard recovered another Eagle fumble at the Republic 40.

The Cardinals were forced to punt on their second possession but got the ball back quickly.

Harris Olsen nearly sacked Republic quarterback Wyatt Woods, who was penalized for intentional grounding. That set up a punt, which was blocked and recovered at the Republic 4-yard line by Brody Eggleston.

Galardo scored a touchdown on the next play to give Webb City a 14-0 lead.

He also scored Webb City’s third touchdown in the opening quarter with a 41-yard run.

In the second quarter, Joseph DeGraffenreid returned a kickoff 74 yards to set up a 9-yard run by Gabe Johnson and 4-yard touchdown run by Galardo. That put the Cardinals ahead 28-14 before halftime.

During the half, McFarland says, “We talked to our players about the importance of scoring early in the third quarter. Our offensive line really stepped up and took over the game at that point.”

Johnson opened the Cardinals’ second-half scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run.

Andrew Elwell finished the scoring for Webb City with a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter.

McFarland notes that Republic was averaging 7 yards per rush attempt during the Tigers’ first two games. “And we held them to 4 yards per carry. If you take out a 58-yard TD run late in the game we held Republic to 39 carries for 110 yards (2.8 yards per attempt).”

He provides stats at right for some of his defensive players.