By Richard Polen

sports@joplinglobe.com

LOCKWOOD, Mo. — The Miller Cardinals, champions of the Spring River Valley Conference, play tonight at Lockwood in the first round of the Missouri Class 1 football playoffs.

The combination of a conference championship for the first time since 1994 and a playoff appearance for the first time since 1999 have made this a rewarding season for the Cardinals. Miller, 9-1, is in the playoffs for the ninth time after a 43-14 victory last week over traditional state power Marionville.

When it comes to football tradition in Southwest Missouri, Lockwood is among the elite. Only Seneca and Webb City, at 19 each, have more playoff appearances than Lockwood, which is in postseason play for the 16th time.

In fact, only Webb City can claim more area district championships over the last 10 years (nine) than Lockwood (eight).

“The kids are making memories now that will last a lifetime,” Miller head coach Harv Welch said. “They’ll always remember playing Lockwood in the playoffs. It brings an added delight to the game.”

The Tigers’ run for the playoffs began after a 47-0 loss to Greenfield on Oct. 10 dropped their record to 2-5. Since then, Lockwood swept through district play with victories against Jasper, Sarcoxie and McAuley Catholic of Joplin.

“They made several position changes early in the season. They improved every week and became a pretty good football team,” Welch said. “Coach (Clay) Lasater is one of the bright, young coaches in the area.”

Junior quarterback Blake Abbiatti leads the Tigers offense, which also features seniors Elijah Lasater, an all-state selection at tight end last year, and tackle Jordan Hull. Lockwood has three senior receivers in Kiley Peckins, Cody Triplett and Wes Sconce.

Miller’s offense is led by running back Darrin Clark, a 150-pound junior who has scored 30 touchdowns this season and rushed for 237 yards against Marionville. He and sophomore quarterback Justin Jack play behind a sizeable and talented offensive line of senior Ryan Morris, juniors Derek Jack, Damon Demster and Kurt Gulick, and sophomore Garrett Jester.

When Miller throws the ball, Justin Jack’s favorite target is Tyler Hinshaw, a 155-pound sophomore. On special teams, kicker Daniel Parscal has 40 extra points and often drills kickoffs into the end zone, Welch said.

In the first game between the two teams this season, Lockwood led 7-0 at halftime before Miller forced a series of turnovers in the second half of a 34-7 victory at Miller. Injuries have left the Cardinals without two players who Welch figured would be all-state candidates in seniors Tyler Aloma at receiver and defensive back and Spencer Goodman at running back.

“Offensively, we’re pretty talented. Defensively, we haven’t gotten it together yet,” Welch said. “We need a tough start defensively and four good, tough quarters at Lockwood.”

In other games involving Spring River Valley Conference teams, Greenfield (9-1), plays at home in a Class 1 matchup against Appleton City (6-4). In Class 2, Pierce City travels to Warsaw; both teams are 6-4.