By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

Neosho High School has won five football games in a row since losing 27-14 to visiting Webb City on Oct. 3.

The Wildcats can avenge that loss tonight as the teams clash in the sectional round of the MSHSAA Class 4 playoffs.

Neosho must travel to Cardinal Stadium for the test. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Shawn Flannigan’s Wildcats (8-3) already have avenged one of their losses. Carthage, a 55-27 winner during the regular season, fell 39-13 last Wednesday night at Neosho in the regional round of the playoffs.

Webb City (11-0), ranked third in Class 4 under John Roderique, ousted Branson 34-0 in the first round.

Webb City, in the earlier game against Neosho at Bob Anderson Stadium, snapped a 14-14 deadlock by scoring twice in the final quarter. Mack Kyle tossed scoring passes covering 53 and 29 yards to Boo Rodgers and Austin Daniel, respectively.

“It was a very tough game to win and a very physical game,” Webb City coach John Roderique said. “Each team probably felt they could have played a better game. I know we felt that way.

“Our defense stepped up huge with so many mistakes we were making,” Roderique said of the first game. “They (the defense) did well to hold them to 14 points.

“But there’s no question both teams have improved since that game,” Roderique said. “Their (the Wildcats) overall execution on offense is so much better, for example.”

“We (the Neosho staff) agree,” Flannigan, who’s in his first season at Neosho, said. “Both teams have improved. It seemed, in fact, that Webb City really took off after our game. Definitely, Webb City was sharp against Branson.

“Webb City’s No. 1 attribute could be the way it wears down people,” Flannigan said. “The Cardinals play with such confidence based on their tradition as well as ability. They wait for you to make a mistake. They don’t panic.

“They made the plays when necessary and we didn’t in that first game,” Flannigan said.

Added Roderique: “Neosho has all the elements of an outstanding team. They have athletic kids with a good physical presence about them.