Glendale finished with 405 total yards, including 231 yards passing from Redmon, who was 19-for-27 with an interception. Running back Joey Mendel finished with 137 yards on 17 carries.

“I guess in the third quarter we just came out kind of sluggish and thought the game was over,” Kolkmeyer said. “We let them back in it, but we focused when we needed to and got things done. It worked out for us.”

The Eagles sparkled in the first half.

Joplin opened the game with an 8-yard, eight-play drive that ended with Gates Sanders’ 23-yard touchdown run.

After Glendale tied it on the next possession, Joplin put together another 80 yard drive, this time with St. Clair scoring from three yards out.

Joplin scored twice in the second quarter, including an arching 45-yard touchdown pass from St. Clair to Sanders a play after Stephen Matlock recovered a Falcon fumble and a 23-yard touchdown run from Ron King.

King, who took over the running back job after senior Barrett Noirfalise was lost for the season, finished with 115 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

“ I believe Ron King showed he belongs out here,” Buckmaster said. “I’m proud of him. I knew he was a player and there was no doubt in my mind that he could get the job done.”

St. Clair was stellar, completing his first 11 passes and ending the night 13-for-18 for 243 yards.

“Coming into the ball game a lot of people were curious about how we’d be at quarterback,” Buckmaster said. “I think we’re very good at quarterback and I think we can all say that now.”

Glendale 7 0 14 7 — 28

Joplin 14 14 0 7 — 35

JOP—Gates Sanders 23 run (Jonathan Warden kick)

GLE—Alex Sanders 3 pass from Kevin Redmon (J.R. Reynolds kick)

JOP—Sanders 45 pass from Devin St. Clair (Warden kick)