ANDERSON, Mo. —
Junior safety Logan Williams returned an interception and a blocked punt for touchdowns in the first quarter Friday night as Webb City defeated McDonald County 56-19, improving its regular season winning streak to 80 games
The No. 1-ranked Cardinals (9-0, 2-0 Class 4 District 11) were leading 14-0 when Jarvis Jones blocked a McDonald County punt near the Mustang 15-yard line midway through the first quarter.
“Jarvis just came off the edge and got it, just completely blocked it,” Williams said. “The coaches have said all year just pick it up and run.”
The touchdown came just minutes after Williams intercepted a McDonald County pass on the third play of the game and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown.
“We made a couple of mistakes there,” said McDonald County head coach Chris Gwartney. “They’re too good and we were down 14-0 in the blink of an eye.”
After Williams’ interception return, the Cardinals drove 49 yards in eight plays, including a 21-yard quarterback keeper by Breckin Williams and an 11-yard pass to tight end Kohl Slaughter that gave Webb City a first-and-goal at the 4.
Jalen Vaden’s reception for a touchdown two plays later put Webb City on top 14-0.
After the blocked punt was returned for a touchdown, Webb City drove 42 yards in four plays, highlighted by a 30-yard pass to Vaden that gave the Cardinals a first down at the 8. Phoenix Johnson, who rushed for 88 yards on four carries, made it 28-0 with a 6-yard touchdown run two plays later.
“We got started with a defensive score early,” Webb City head coach John Roderique said. “Our defense set the tone early. We had really short fields in the first half.”
The Cardinals scored twice in the second quarter on a 76-yard run by Johnson and a 10-yard run by backup quarterback John Roderique. The second touchdown was set up by Austin White’s interception.
McDonald County, (2-7, 0-2) turned on its passing game late in the first quarter. Senior quarterback Cody Hobbs, who was 6 of 14 for 116 yards, completed a 44-yard pass to Cooper Underwood that gave the Mustangs a first down at the Webb City 20, but a fourth-down pass fell incomplete.
On their next possession, the Mustangs drove 82 yards in 10 plays, including a 30-yard completion to Corbin Buffalo. Then, on a fourth-and-6 play from the Webb City 26, Hobbs found Michael Long in the end zone on the last play of the first half and cut the Webb City lead to 42-6.
“It was a very good night for us,” said Roderique, the coach. “We got a chance to play a lot of kids. That was big.”
Breckin Williams, Webb City’s starting quarterback, completed four of six passes for 53 yards. The Cardinals will play their last regular-season game Thursday night at home against Carl Junction.
The Cardinals, who rushed for 305 yards on 26 carries, scored on the first play of the second half on a 49-yard run by Austin Sanders. McDonald County controlled the ball for nearly all of the third quarter with a 16-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown run by tailback Jantsen Lynn.
Lynn, a 155-pound junior, led the Mustangs with 108 yards on 29 carries.
“He’s a tough kid,” Gwartney said. “He a tough runner and he plays every down hard.”
Webb City scored in the fourth quarter on an 18-yard run by Kyle Baldasarre, and McDonald County responded with a 63-yard touchdown run by Checota Stephens on the last play of the game. A holding penalty on the play — the only penalty of the night against either team — was declined by Webb City.
Sports
October 22, 2011
Cardinals cruise past McDonald County
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Miners, Carl Junction split American Legion doubleheader
Joplin's Nate Brummer dives back into first base before Carl Junction's Jaron Hulette can apply the tag during their American Legion baseball game at Joe Becker Stadium.
Bryce Ash’s two-run single capped a four-run fourth inning in Joplin’s 8-6 victory against Carl Junction in the second game of an American Legion doubleheader Thursday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Continued ... - 11th annual Grin Iron Classic set in Springfield
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- Phil McClintock hired as boys basketball coach at Salem
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
