By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
The Joplin Crusaders didn’t have their “A game” on offense Saturday night.
Their defense made sure it was enough, however, as Joplin nudged the Tulsa-based Oklahoma Knights 7-6 in the quarterfinal round of the Central non-pro Football League playoffs at Junge Field.
“We had a poor offensive performance,” Joplin quarterback Clay Lasater said. “But our defense (coordinated by David Pitts) played extremely well. The only touchdown it gave up was when I put it in a bad situation because of an interception.
“The Knights were fast and physical,” Lasater said. “We expected that type of game.”
The defending champion Crusaders, hiking their winning streak to 22 games and nine this season, entertain the Arkansas Warriors at 7 p.m. next Saturday in a semifinal.
Lasater and wide receiver Chris Turner hooked up for a 50-yard scoring strike early in the game and Aaron Doll’s conversion kick wound up as the difference on the scoreboard.
The Knights, who finished 6-4, retaliated in the second period on Marcus London’s 11-yard pass to wide receiver Danny Knighten on third down. But the conversion attempt was low and blocked.
“We didn’t have our kicker who can hit field goals consistently from 40-45 feet,” Oklahoma coach J.J. Warren said.
“I’m very proud of the way our guys played,” Warren said. “They played like a team. Seriously, this was one of the best games I’ve seen. I just wish I was standing here in victory.
“The Knights will be back,” Warren said.
Said the 30-year-old London: “We played as hard and as well as we’ve played all season. We had a few unfortunate breaks.”
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound London, quarterback for the Arkansas Warriors last season, played only basketball in college at Bacone.
London said the swift Knighten, 20, out of Tulsa Hale and all over the field against Joplin, needed to find a school to play.
Gubera said Joplin picked up 102 rushing yards and 127 through the air.
“I’d estimate the Knights had about 300 yards,” Gubera said. “Our defense bent but didn’t break. It came up with several stands during the game.”
The last defensive stand came in the closing minutes as the Knights bogged down after securing a first down at the Joplin 32-yard line.
Then the Crusaders, needing a couple of first downs to run out the clock, picked up one on an unsportsmanlike penalty and the second when the Knights were guilty of encroachment on fourth-and-1.
Joplin beat the Knights 35-26 at Tulsa during the regular season.
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