Semifinal Football Report

CLASS 2

• Maryville 21, Lamar 7
  • The Tigers were in it all the way until Maryville scored with just over 2 minutes remaining to secure the victory.  The story was the Maryville defense as Lamar threw everything but the kitchen sink at them in an attempt to generate offense.  Lamar was only able to rush for 128 yards on the day, and had just under 250 yards total.  But Lamar’s defense was just as good shutting down the Spoofhounds offense for all but their last scoring drive.  Maryville’s first two scores came on turnovers as they returned an interception for one score, and a lateral that didn’t connect for a second.  Following that, Lamar put together an 84 yard, 12 play drive to pull within 13-7.  On the drive they pulled off a fake punt on 4th and 10 for a first down, converted another 4th down, and finally scored when Markell White took it in from 16 yards out.  But that would be all the offense on the day for Lamar as Maryville wouldn’t give them any extra chances.  No turnovers and only five penalties on the day for the Spoofhounds let their defense ultimately win the game.  Great run for Lamar and a great game.

CLASS 3

• Cassville 23, KC O’Hara 7
  • After the first drive of the day for Cassville, it looked like KC O’Hara was in for a long game.  The Celtics went three and out, Cassville took the ball, and marched right through the O’Hara defense with Joseph Gouvion getting the score from 15 yards out.  The Celtic defenders looked down and beaten already.  The next series, Cassville was at it again going slowly but steadily down the field.  But O’Hara stopped them on a 4th and 2 attempt on the Celtic 18, and it sparked them to life.  And when the Celtics scored to make it 7-7 midway through the second quarter, it didn’t look good for Cassville.  But Matt Angel would kick a 35 yard field goal to give them a 10-7 lead, and the closest O’Hara would come to the end zone the rest of the game was on their final drive when the game was no longer in doubt.  Gouvion, who would finish with 133 yards rushing, put the first nail in the Celtic coffin in the fourth when he scored from 34 yards out to make it 16-7.  And QB Trevor Tanner finished it off on the Wildcats final drive with a 9 yard TD run.  Cassville’s depth finally wore down O’Hara but not until the fourth quarter.  Cassville refused to let the talented Celtic offense hit the big play but O’Hara would not quit despite being badly outmanned depthwise.  Great effort by O’Hara.  Great execution and gameplan by Cassville.  And the Wildcats will be going for two in a row.

CLASS 4

• Kearney 38, Webb City 13
  • Quite simply, the Bulldogs out physicaled Webb City and their defense rose up when it had to.  In other words, they beat the Cardinals at their own game.  Kearney jumped out to a 10-0 lead only to see Braxton Baker rip off a 77 yard TD run in the second quarter.  After Kearney scored again, Webb City put together a 78 yard scoring drive to pull within 17-13 at the half as Patrick Drake went in from 4 yards out.  But the third period would decide the game.  Kearney took the opening kickoff and mounted an 11 play 80 yard drive  that featured 10 rushes as the Bulldogs took a 24-13 lead.  Then their defense took the spotlight.  On the ensuing Webb City possession, they forced the Cardinals to punt, and got the ball back on the Webb City 45.  The Bulldogs took just one play to make the score 31-13.  Webb City keep fighting as they marched their way to second down on the Kearney 9 yard line.  But a sack and two incomplete passes ended that drive without a score.  The Cardinal defense held, got the ball back, and the offense moved to the Kearney 15.  But Bulldogs forced a fumble, recovered it at the 20, and embarked on a drive that consumed nearly seven minutes and ended with another Kearney score to make the final 38-13.  No magic formula.  Kearney was simply the better team making plays when they had to, and controlling the game.  Baker finished with 173 yards rushing as the Cardinals were outgained 438 to 367.  Not a bad game at all, but Kearney simply was not going to let the Cardinals get control.  A fine season for Webb City ends just short of St. Louis