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September 6, 2008

Webb City holds off Mounties

By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City recovered from an early 14-0 deficit to outlast Rogers 36-33 in a prep football test on Friday night in Cardinal Stadium.

Webb City, ranked third in Class 4 by the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, improved to 2-0 and spoiled the opener for the Arkansas Class 7A Mountaineers.

Quarterback Mack Kyle, with Webb City trailing 33-28, directed a 71-yard march that culminated with fellow senior Seth Helton running nine yards for the winning touchdown on fourth-and-4 with 3:27 minutes remaining.

Junior Braxton Baker rushed for most of the yardage during the drive and Kyle also hooked up with senior tight end Austin Leeper for a 16-yard gain on third-and-8 to keep the drive alive.

It was the third touchdown of the game for the 5-foot-8, 170-pound Helton.

Junior Patrick Drake came in to rifle the conversion pass to sophomore Austin Daniel to finish the scoring.

“It was exciting,” Helton said. “Our first game (a 27-21 win at Harrisonville) was a tough challenge. But it doesn’t compare to tonight before the home crowd.

“We knew, trailing 14-0, both sides had to step it up and the offense got us going,” Helton said. “We remained a team despite making several mistakes.”

Cardinal coach John Roderique wasn’t sure what ignited the Cardinals.

“Maybe it was our first touchdown — a long drive (77 yards) — that gave us some confidence,” Roderique said.

“I really was pleased with our offense in that we try to be consistent,” Roderique said. “It’s 14-0 and they’re doing about anything they want.

“That obviously was a good victory,” Roderique said. “I was concerned in the very beginning ... when they came out on the field to warm up. They’re big, physical, good looking players.”

Caleb Hill’s 25-yard interception return and Michael Tibbs’ 24-yard run staked the Mounties to their quick lead.

Helton’s 1-yard run and Jake Brasfield’s second of four conversion kicks caught the Mounties.

Rogers went ahead in the second quarter on Justin Reed’s 1-yard plunge and Matt Alderson’s boot before Baker’s 5-yard scoring run brought the Cardinals even.

Andy Couture’s 14-yard completion to Austin Young with just 34.8 seconds left gave Rogers a 27-21 halftime lead.

Helton’s 2-yard scoring run — the drive was set up by Seth Kelly’s interception — and Brasfield’s conversion gave the Cardinals a 28-27 lead in the third period.

But a scrambling Couture found Casey Caton in the corner of the end zone for a 27-yard scoring pass on third-and-21 at 9:41 of the fourth to force the final heroics by Webb City.

“We have to learn from this game,” Rogers coach Ronnie Peacock said. “When it gets mean and nasty, we have to make plays. Webb City did some good things. We didn’t make plays in the second half that we made in the first.

“Casey Caton made a great catch,” Peacock said. “We needed more of that at the last.”

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