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
September 6, 2008
Fourth-quarter comeback leads to Neosho win
Wildcats score three times in final 5:05 to beat Lebanon
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
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