September 05, 2008 01:41 am
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From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
McAuley Catholic and Carl Junction, both teams likely greatful for artificial playing surfaces, kick off their respective home football seasons tonight.
McAuley, coming off an overtime loss to Marionville, returns to Missouri Southern’s Fred G. Hughes Stadium to entertain Afton, Okla.
Carl Junction, looking for a 2-0 start in the Big 8 Conference, entertains Aurora.
Both games kick off at 7 p.m.
McAuley will be trying to avenge a 14-7 loss to Afton from last season. The Eagles, a co-favorite in Oklahoma District A-8, will be opening their season.
Afton finished 7-4 a year ago, dropping a first-round playoff game. The Eagles are led by senior quarterback Ryan Markes, who ran and passed for 2,387 yards last season.
Tight end Shawn Free is a preseason all-state selection. Free has also made his mark on defense, leading the state in both tackles and sacks while alternating between nose guard and defensive end.
McAuley has been fine-tuning an offense which had little success moving the ball through the air in the second half against Marionville.
Carl Junction, led by Zach Waranch’s two touchdowns, opened with a 35-0 conference victory at Lamar. Aurora fell behind early and fell 34-6 to Rogersville in a nonconference contest.
Carl Junction beat Aurora 35-0 last season.
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