By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
The result was a bit extraordinary the last time the Joplin Crusaders and the Kansas Cougars clashed.
They played on and on during the night ... and on and on.
Joplin outlasted the Wichita-based Cougars in six overtimes on an Aaron Doll field goal in a semifinal of the non-pro Central Football League playoffs last season.
The Crusaders wound up claiming their third straight CFL championship.
Joplin entertains the Cougars at 7 tonight at Junge Field in a test of 1-0 teams.
The teams launched their regular season schedules last week with lopsided wins.
The Cougars, playing at Paris (Ark.), defeated the Golden Eagles 42-0. Joplin, playing at Junge, led 24-0 after one quarter in trimming the Springfield Mustangs 51-0.
Said Joplin coach David Pitts: “Historically, they (the Cougars) have matched us in size and they have been faster. They’ve been physical and they usually have some outstanding players. It seems each time we play it’s a very competitive game.
“Actually,” Pitts added, “we might be able to match their speed this season.”
Joplin general manager Charlie Hudson recalled that the regular season game in the 2008 season was won late by the Crusaders at Newton, Kan. Doll’s field goal won the previous game.
“We won our first of five championships in 2003 by beating the Cougars (14-0) at Jasper High School,” Hudson added. “It was the Oklahoma Football League at that time.
“Overtime isn’t unusual when we play that team,” Hudson said.
Joplin, in its opening victory, received two rushing touchdowns apiece from running back Cooper Vaughn (8, 5 yards) and quarterback Michael Swalley (7, 85). The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Danny Knighten also had two scores by returning a punt 50 yards and dashing some 90 yards on a quarterback draw.
Cougar owner/head coach Marcel Wash said on Thursday that the team received strong defensive performances from end Fred Brown, free safety Josh Henke and tackle Rodney Smith in the romp at Paris.
Plus, Wash said, running back Cephus Jefferson and receiver Eddie Hartfield stood out on offense.
Wash thought that Jefferson rushed for two touchdowns and more than 100 yards. Wash said that Hartfield caught three passes for some 75 yards and a touchdown.
Wash also said that assistant head coach Marvin Hicks will continue to take on more authority as coach on the field.
Said Wash: “Our offensive line is improved. It did a fabulous job in Arkansas.
“Hopefully,” Wash added with a laugh, “we’ll know the winner by the end of the fourth quarter.”
