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  • Globe/T. Rob Brown Webb City's Jeremiah Purvis brings down Helias running back Brendan Roberts during Monday night's game, Nov. 7, 2011, at Webb City's field.

    110711 Helias@WC fb2_72.jpg

  • Globe/T. Rob Brown Webb City running back Phoenix Johnson heads to the end zone on a touchdown run as Helias' Anthony Woodruff (2) attempts to stop him during Monday night's game, Nov. 7, 2011, at Webb City's field.

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November 8, 2011

Webb City rolls Helias

By Anvil Welch Globe Sports Writer

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Unbeaten Webb City, shrugging off a blistering start by Jefferson City Helias Catholic, thumped the Crusaders 63-21 in the sectional round of the MSHSAA Class 4 football playoffs on Monday night in Cardinal Stadium.

The Cardinals, who were tied 14-14 late in the first period, finished with 28 points in the opening quarter and scored on their first five possessions in the contest.

The No. 1-ranked, defending champion Cardinals (12-0) will put a 27-game winning streak on the line against Hillcrest (11-1) in Springfield at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday in the quarterfinals.

The Hornets clipped previously unbeaten Union 28-21 on its field on Monday night. Hillcrest hasn’t lost since a 37-20 decision early in the season at Rogers Heritage.

Helias, a frequent postseason opponent for the Cardinals in recent years, finished 7-5 after pulling out consecutive wins against Bolivar on the road and Carthage.

Webb City led 42-21 at halftime and its head coach, John Roderique, didn’t appear overly pleased afterward.

“We were kind of reeling in that first half,” Roderique said. “At halftime, I didn’t know if we would score enough points. We told them we were disappointed with their performance in the first half.”

But the Cardinals finished with 494 rushing yards and 182 throwing to best the Crusaders’ 84 rushing and 234 passing.

“Obviously, we had a lot of guys play well on offense,” Roderique said. “It’s nice to see different guys contributing. Give the offensive linemen and tight ends credit.

“It’s obvious, too, that the defense played much better in the second half,” Roderique said.

Three Cardinals exceeded 100 rushing yards with senior Jamison Cady picking up 158 on 18 carries, senior Breckin Williams gaining 140 on 11 carries and junior Phoenix Johnson adding 136 on 17 carries.

Johnson scored four touchdowns — hiking his season total to 29 — on runs of 5, 8 and 4 yards and a 26-yard reception from Williams.

Williams, who completed six of 11 passes for 182 yards, also hit junior Jalen Vaden with a 39-yard scoring pass. Williams also scored from the 1 and 21.

The Cardinals’ two TDs in the fourth quarters came on carries of 19 and 21 yards by junior quarterback John Roderique and senior running back Rupert Williams, respectively.

Vaden finished with three receptions for 75 yards.

Junior all-state kicker Alex Easley, whose kickoffs usually left the Crusaders at their 20, booted the nine extra points.

Helias senior Andrew Vossen threw for the yardage on 22 of 37. Sophomore Michael Tannehill had four receptions for 68 yards and senior Andrew Stiles seven for 63.

Helias’ Brendan Roberts scored its TDs in the first period on runs of 14 and 58 yards. Vossen and Tannehill hooked up for a 31-yard scoring strike just before halftime.

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