November 10, 2008 12:23 am
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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.
“They’re very difficult to defend,” Roderique said. “They’ve settled in with (sophomore) Alex Wise at quarterback. He does some good things and that includes making good decisions. He throws the ball to skilled athletes. They have hard-nosed running backs.
“They also give you a lot of different looks on defense,” Roderique said.
“This is a game that shapes up as outstanding,” Roderique said. “That’s true regardless of the weather.”
Roderique naturally hopes it’s a plus for the Cardinals to be playing on their turf.
“There’s an element of added confidence (because of playing at home),” Roderique said.
Notes: Union (11-0) is at Bolivar (10-1) tonight to determine a quarterfinal opponent for the Neosho-Webb City survivor at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. ... Neosho is making its first appearance in the playoffs since 1999. Seven-time state champion Webb City and Neosho have won 19 and nine district titles, respectively. ... Correction: It was Xavier Morrison, rather than Garrett Williams, who scored for Neosho on an 8-yard pass from Wise in the Wildcats’ win against Carthage.
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