By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

Bolivar, fresh from knocking off No. 2, takes aim today at No. 3 Webb City.

The quarterfinal game of the MSHSAA Class 4 football playoffs will be held at Webb City.

Kickoff between the Liberators (11-1) and Webb City (12-0) is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium.

Bolivar, moving up this season from Class 3, earned the shot at Webb City by using a 21-point fourth quarter to turn back visiting Union, ranked second in Class 4 behind Kearney, last Monday night.

That Bolivar win, of course, saved the Cardinals a journey to Union as they just missed their second straight home shutout with a 35-8 win against Neosho.

Bolivar, which rushed for 330 yards, ousted a previously unbeaten team (Union) that had been averaging 48.4 points behind University of Kansas-bound quarterback Jordan Webb.

Bolivar quarterback Preston Guiot, a junior, completed 6-of-7 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns to support the Liberator rushing attack. Guiot hit junior wide receivers Tyler Welch (51 yards) and Alex Talley (10) for the scores.

The total performance wasn’t lost on Webb City coach John Roderique.

“Bolivar is a well-coached team (headed by Lance Roweton),” Roderique said on Friday “They have good size. They have good offensive and defensive lines.

“They do a lot on offense with their quarterback,” Roderique said. “They have three hard-nosed running backs in seniors Derek Lee and Daniel Norman and junior Josh Moffett.

“Guiot has been efficient throwing the ball. He’s savvy as well as athletic. He takes off and runs. He’ll make you miss tackles.”

Roderique indicated there was no mincing of words for his players.

“It’s a great opportunity. There are eight teams left in Class 4. None of those eight teams can’t get it done. This team is 11-1. You need to play your ‘A game.’ It’s win or go home. That’s the attitude with which you have to play.