|
|
Published October 17, 2008 01:02 am -
Eagles stress running in district opener
By Ryan Atkinson
ratkinson@joplinglobe.com
The Ozark Conference portion of the Joplin Eagles’ schedule was nice while it lasted.
The Eagles finished their first seven games with a 6-1 record, a share of the conference crown, a reliable offense and an improving defense.
Now it’s time for the real games to begin.
Joplin travels to suburban Kansas City tonight to face the Lee’s Summit North Broncos to open Class 6 District 7 play.
Lee’s Summit faces Rockhurst in the district’s other game.
“Obviously, it’s a big ball game,” Joplin head coach Doug Buckmaster said. “It’s the first district game ... two teams go to the playoffs now. It’s very, very big. It’s huge.”
The Eagles — averaging 451 yards per game — will likely need another strong showing from their offense. In its lone loss of the season, Joplin was held to just 20 points, a far cry from its average of 44 per game.
While Joplin quarterback Devin St. Clair has thrown for 1,858 yards, both Buckmaster and Lee’s Summit North coach Harold Wambsgans agree that the key for the Eagles is in the running game.
“We need to run the football to be successful,” Buckmaster said. “We try to be balanced every week. A team like Lebanon, maybe they’re more one-dimensional. They throw first but they can’t run the ball. If someone takes something away from us, we have to have somewhere to go ... and most teams are going to try to take away the run first. That’s what Lee’s Summit North has done the last three years.”
Most of the ground game will go through junior Ron King. King was held to just 47 yards on 23 carries in last week’s win against Lebanon. But King picked up a handful of crucial first downs to help thwart a Yellowjacket comeback.
The Eagle offense has been led virtually all season by receiver Dane Kolkmeyer, who has 67 catches for 1,118 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Other contributors, however, have shown impressive flashes in recent weeks. Cory Macy, Gates Sanders, Sam Nguyen and others will be key for the Eagles in district play.
“Guys like that are huge,” Buckmaster said. “We want to utilize everyone in our offense. A lot of weeks Dane was more of a focal point and that’s usually because of what defenses have done to us. But we have to spread the ball around.”
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
|
 |
|
T EACHER-FULL TIME
TEACHER- Full-time Position with benefits working with children 0-6 at Discovery Center child care center. Position requ...>MORE
ACCOUNTANT
Local Construction firm needing full charge accountant, duties include general ledger, accounts receivable/billing, acco...>MORE
ACCOUNTANT.
Expanding CPA firm: full time, degree/ computer skills required. Audit/tax experience preferred. Send resume to P...>MORE
EMERGENCY SERVICE WORKER
EMERGENCY SERVICE WORKER/ EMERGENCY ROOM ADVOCATE Part-time position in women’s treatment/ trauma program. This positio...>MORE
LIFEGUARDS
all shifts available, Apply in person at either Joplin Family Y location. www.joplinfamilyy.org....>MORE
LIFEGUARDS
All shifts available, Apply in person at either Joplin Family Y location. www.joplinfamilyy.org....>MORE
TRUCK MECHANIC
needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin. Competitive pay and benefits package. Requires candidate to own hand tools...>MORE
GROWING DENTAL PRACTICE
looking for experienced Dental Assistant. Computer knowledge a must. Resumes: 2710 Picher, Joplin, MO 64804. Deadline by...>MORE
PCA 'S AND CNA'S
PCAs and CNAs In Joplin and surrounding areas. Call 417-206-7878....>MORE
TEAMS NEEDED
SIGN-ON BONUS $3000 Benefits and West Coast $$ Scheduled Raises $$ HIGH MILES WEEKLY 72hrs...>MORE
See all ads |
|
CHEVROLET 1997 TAHOE
CHEVROLET, 1997 TAHOE LT, 4X4, Maroon, air, excellent condition, leather seats, power everything, $2500 or best offer Pl...>MORE
FORD 2001 ESCORT
FORD, 2001 Escort, 4 cylinder, automatic, good condition. $1800. (417)437-5682....>MORE
YAMAHA 1999 ROAD STAR
Yamaha, 1999 Road Star 1600 excellent condition, less than 10,000 miles, saddle bags and highway lamps. $3500. Cell phon...>MORE
2006 CHEVROLET HHR LT
automatic, 40,000 miles, loaded with options, $6200. (417)434-2949....>MORE
FORD 2000 1 TON
Ford, 2000 1 ton, 4X4, 6 speed, duals, flatbed, 7.3 diesel, $6800; 1998 Bucket truck, 55’ Altec. 417-358-8636, 483-9700....>MORE
2005 HONDA SHADOW VLX 600
2,000 miles, color white, $3950. (417)673-3860....>MORE
LEHMAN TRIKE
LEHMAN TRIKE, 2007, excellent condition, rider has health problems. $20,500. Serious inquires only. (417)529-9554....>MORE
1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
350 automatic, $5000 or trade consider. (620)230-0459...>MORE
GMC, 2006
2500 4x4, regular cab/bed, 133,000 miles, $9850. (417)214-0022....>MORE
MAZDA, 2000
B3000, 4x2, V6, automatic, high miles, $2150. (417)843-2613....>MORE
See all ads |
|
2-3 BR
Basement, newly remodeled, oak cabinets, nice wood floors, privacy fence. $79,200. 2525 N. Ozark. (417)483-0900....>MORE
LAKE FRONT MOBILE
Lake Front Mobile Grove, OK 1972 14 X 46 1 Bedroom, 1 bath lake front mobile home weekend getaway. Complete with furn...>MORE
OWNER FINANCE
OWNER FINANCE. $650 down, $435 monthly. 201 N. Washington, Joplin, 3 BR, garage, Full price $32,500. 417-359-4113. ...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE 7/5/09 1:00-4:00 2281 sq. ft. Updated kitchen 4 br + bonus room 2 living areas Metal roof. Stapleton school ...>MORE
INVESTORS OR START-UP
INVESTORS OR START-UP 1217 Central. $67500 2 bedroom, 1 bath, very nice,room to build more. See more at homesbyowner.co...>MORE
HANDYMAN SPECIAL
Handyman Special, only $500 down, owner financing, 11% interest, $345/ month, priced at $23,900. 1120 W. 12th Street (41...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
405 Keeney Street, Carl Junction. Sunday July 12 • 2 p.m.-4 p.m. This home is owned by Carl Junction R-1 School Di...>MORE
See all ads |
|
YORKIE-CHORKIE
Yorkie-Chorkie, 6 weeks, weight 12 oz. and up. 417-358-4202....>MORE
NASCAR
Indy Brick Yard 400, 7/26/09, 2 at $90. 417-483-1460....>MORE
PATTERN TORCH
Industrial, $500. (417)781-1932....>MORE
LOST: 10 YEAR OLD YELLOW LAB
Goldie has on a flea collar, lost 6/28 between Oak Grove and Tipton Ford. PLEASE call 417-438-2828....>MORE
WANTED; 2006 OR NEWER BUMPER TRAILER
WANTED: 2006 or newer 28-29’ bumper hitch travel trailer with slide, in excellent condition. (417)235-3402....>MORE
SHIH-TZU PUPPIES
$125 each; Shih-tzu adults free to a good home, (417)439-5568....>MORE
ANTIQUE RADIO
ANTIQUE Radio; hanging lamps; china cabinet; carnival glass; Singer featherweight machine; 2 ladies and men diamond ring...>MORE
ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE
realitives of late father, Aziel Murphy, who married Maxine Steele, of Oklahoma, on June 10, 1929. Contact Tresa Collins...>MORE
MINI SCHNAUZERS
8 weeks AKC house breaking underway, vet checked/healthy. rsfieker@yahoo.com 417-235-3168....>MORE
LAB PUPPIES
lab puppies, AKC 1 chocolate male 1 chocolate female 1 black male 1 black female Master, senior, and junior hunters on ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|