By Levi Payton
sports@joplinglobe.com
NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho got behind early Friday but fourth-quarter heroics proved too much for Lebanon, with the Wildcats claiming a 42-24 prep football victory.
The Yellowjackets jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, but Neosho scored three times in the final 5:05 to get the win.
The Wildcats capped a 21-point fourth quarter on a 27-yard strike from Kyle Dickens to Nick Morrison with 1:08 remaining. Morrison also hauled in an 81-yard strike from quarterback Alex Wise in the third quarter to give Neosho its first lead at 21-17.
Morrison burned the defense down the sideline and was all alone when he caught the ball and raced to the end zone. Morrison had four catches for 126 yards and the two scores.
Lebanon stormed back, quickly marching to the Wildcats’ 46, but Ryan Howerton's next pass was picked off by Anthony Westfield.
Lebanon then scored on an 11-yard pass from Howerton to Brett Smith. The pass was nearly picked off as Howerton threw into triple coverage, but instead it was tipped to Smith at the back pylon for the score.
After starting the game at quarterback, Dickens returned to the Wildcats lineup after giving way to Wise late in the second and scored on a nine-yard run with 5:05 left in the fourth to give Neosho a 28-24 lead.
“We just needed a different look,” Wildcats coach Shawn Flannigan said of the quarterback switch. “I said, 'Be the man. Take the ball down the field and put the game away.’ He did and then he came back down and did it again.
“We came out in the second half on fire, and that was good to see.”
The Wildcats put the game away on their next drive when sophomore tailback Will McDaniel took his only carry of the game 38 yards up the middle to make it 35-24.
Neosho's defense picked off Howerton twice, and Xavier Morrison collected three sacks.
“Our defense was outstanding,” Flannigan said. “They came out and gave our offense a chance to win. I was proud of all those guys tonight.”
Howerton connected with senior wideout Ryan Archer on a play-action pass for 79 yards and Lebanon's first score. Archer hauled in another touchdown pass from Howerton on the next possession, this time from five yards out, to make it 14-0.
Neosho's offense came alive late in the second when Wise entered the game with 5:54 left. He quickly conducted a 59-yard drive that ended on a 21-yard strike to senior wideout Landon Ryser for Neosho's first score.
Wise then marched the Wildcats down the field for a 14-14 tie just 23 seconds before halftime when he connected with Anthony Westfield on a quick slant from 10 yards out.
Neosho travels to Ozark next Friday for a Central Ozark Conference game.
Sports
Fourth-quarter comeback leads to Neosho win
Wildcats score three times in final 5:05 to beat Lebanon
- Sports
-
-
Kickapoo girls race past Joplin
Annie Armstrong poured in 21 points to lead the Kickapoo girls to a 65-28 victory over Joplin on Thursday night in an Ozark Conference basketball game at Missouri Southern’s Young Gymnasium.
-
Cheever is ultimate blue-collar snowboarder
As a World Cup snowboardcross racer, Jonathan Cheever has taken his share of spills over the years.
-
District wrestling tournaments begin tonight
Neosho’s wrestling lineup will have a different look when the Class 3 district wrestling tournament begins at 6 p.m. today at Carthage.
-
Late board work carries Lions past Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State displayed its offensive rebounding muscle during Wednesday night’s game at Missouri Southern.
-
Pitching holds key for softball Lions
Pitching is the main question Missouri Southern must answer as the Lions open their softball season today in Abilene, Texas.
-
Quapaw completes 12-0 run through Lucky '7' Conference
Quapaw High School girls basketball coach Rod Graves expected the 2011-12 Wildcats to compile another successful season.
They haven’t been a disappointment. -
Hillsdale women stop OCC
Visiting Hillsdale Free Will Baptist handed Ozark Christian a 68-47 loss in women’s college basketball on Thursday night.
-
Tomlin, Steelers welcome Haley as new coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.
-
Rangers, Cruz strike $16M, 2-year deal
Two-time defending AL champion Texas has avoided arbitration with another of its core players, agreeing Thursday to a $16 million, two-year contract with AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz.
-
Auburn’s Ward adapts game after injury at Texas
Auburn’s Varez Ward can’t take to the air quite like he used to. The onetime Texas starter is still trying to regain strength and explosiveness more than two years after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon while dunking during pre-game warmups.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
