By Levi Payton
sports@joplinglobe.com
QUAPAW, Okla. — After scoring just six points in their last six quarters, spanning a pair of losses, the Commerce Tigers decided to go back to the drawing board in practice this week.
In doing so, they rededicated themselves to the running game and it paid off.
Not only did the Tigers run the ball well but, also, they got their swagger back, according to coach Willie Ng, as they rolled past the Quapaw Wildcats 34-6 on Friday night at Shipman Field.
Big plays and big hits ruled for the Tigers as they played well on both sides of the football.
Defensively, the Tigers (7-2) were set on hit mode as they tuirned in a highlight reel of bone-jarring blows on Wildcat receivers. That helped lead to the Wildcats’ inefficiency throwing the ball as they completed just six of 22 passes for 75 yards.
The Tigers led 20-0 at the half and that was all the points their defense would need.
Through the cold and blustery night, it didn’t take long for the Tigers’ offense to get heated up. Once they began handing the ball to Bryson Sullivan all was well for the Tigers. Sullivan slashed the Wildcat defense as he amassed 264 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. His tough running shook the Tigers.
“We challenged our team all week,” Ng said. “We went to work on Monday and said we were going back to the old way. Our whole game plan was to grind it out and our players did a good job. We just have to keep going because playoffs are coming up.”
Despite a handful of holding calls, the Tigers’ offensive line made plenty of holes for Sullivan to run through.
“Our offensive line finally stepped up and did a good job,” Ng said. “We moved the ball effectively even with all the holding penalties.”
Sullivan scored on runs of 16, 30 and 44 yards. Another runner, Austin McMain, also had a solid game, scoring on runs of three and 64 yards, respectively.
“Sullivan is the type of guy who doesn’t need a big seam to run through,” Ng said. “Our offensive line finally did a good job of getting in there and we established the line of scrimmage.”
The Wildcats managed to get on the board for the first time in the fourth quarter when quarterback Guthrie Murray raced in from nine yards.
“I think we lost our swagger after the last two losses,” Ng said. “We preached all week ‘Let’s get our swagger back’ and we did.”
Commerce will host Hulbert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Quapaw will entertain Foyil on Friday night.
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