By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

WEBB CITY, Mo. — A terrific start for the unbeaten Webb City High School football team finished in a monumental struggle on Friday night in Cardinal Stadium.

Blame Ozark and its scrambling quarterback Jordan Nuckolls.

Nuckolls, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound senior, threw for 392 yards on 36-of-60 to no avail as Webb City repelled the Tigers 41-26 in a Central Ozark Conference Large Division game.

Webb City, ranked third in Missouri Class 4, improved to 4-0 and 2-0 in the league. Class 5 Ozark fell to 1-4 in the league.

Senior quarterback Mack Kyle and junior running back Braxton Baker combined to spark the Cardinals’ offense.

The 6-1, 190-pound Kyle, who rushed for 70 yards on seven carries and completed 5-of-10 passes for 104 yards, scored three touchdowns on runs of 5, 8 and 25 yards. He also hooked up with senior tight end Adam Williams for a 20-yard scoring pass.

Baker, a 5-11, 180-pounder, picked up 187 yards on 19 carries and had a 15-yard scoring run.

The Cardinals jumped in front 20-0 after one period before the Tigers came alive with a 17-point second quarter to trail 28-17 at halftime.

“Our players are worn out. I’m worn out,” Webb City coach John Roderique said.

“Ozark played very well,” Roderique said. “Give the quarterback (Nuckolls) credit. He’s probably icing down his arm right now. His receivers worked themselves open.

“We lost some energy,” Roderique said. “My first impression is that we didn’t do a good job of tackling. We were playing on our heels. It’s very difficult to rush the passer and also play pass defense.”

Said Tiger coach Chris Allison: “I can’t say enough about the effort of our players. We brought it back to one possession.

“The coaches worked very hard in preparing for this game, too,” Allison said. “That was our fourth different defensive scheme.”