By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
The Joplin Crusaders, thanks to just enough offense and another strong defensive effort, have opened 3-0 this season in the non-pro Central Football League.
That’s Joplin coach Dave Pitts’ explanation in a nutshell of the Crusaders’ 12-10 road win last Saturday against the Arkansas Warriors.
The Crusaders, winning their 12th game in a row in the CFL, rallied from a 7-0 halftime deficit.
Cooper Vaughn’s 15-yard scoring run in the third period lifted the Crusaders back into the game.
Scott Thompson’s 11-yard scoring run early in the fourth, erasing a 10-6 deficit, put the Crusaders ahead 12-10.
The Joplin conversion run was stopped. Its extra point attempt after the first score had been blocked.
Thompson’s touchdown was set up by a punt return of some 35-40 yards by Danny Knighten, Pitts said.
“We held the Warriors down for the most part in the second half,” Pitts said of the Joplin defense. “We held them to between 50-60 yards. It was a team effort. The defense played very well.
“Those guys (the Warriors) played hard,” Pitts said. “I was pleased, considering everything, that we were able to come out with a victory.”
Jason Byars, former Oklahoma all-stater from Owasso, was at quarterback against the Warriors.
The Crusaders sustained some injuries, Pitts said, but their seriousness wasn’t available by mid-week.
“However, we’ll probably have to do some shifting around next week,” Pitts said. “It’s difficult to hold practices (with everyone) during the season.
“We have so many players scattered around. Several of the players’ traveling miles are considerable just to play.”
Joplin and the Enid Enforcers are the only unbeaten teams remaining in the league at 3-0. Joplin won its third title in a row last season by beating the Enforcers.
Other scores last week were Kansas Cougars 28, Tulsa Knights 21; Arkansas Golden Eagles 42, Arkansas Lions 28, and Enid 48, Springfield Mustangs 0.
The Crusaders resume by visiting the Fort Smith-based Lions on April 10. The league is idle this week because of Easter.
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