The Webb City Cardinals earned their ticket to St. Louis and the Class 4 Championship game with a 35-8 win over the Harrisonville Wildcats.
The Cardinal defense made their presence known early in the game as Webb City turned the ball over on their first play and Harrisonville set up at the Cardinal 13 yard line. The defense allowed only five yards on the first two carries and on third down Austin Daniel intercepted a pass in the end zone to turn the Wildcats away.
The offense was able to move the ball on their next drive but a turnover deep into Harrisonville territory kept the game scoreless. The defense forced a punt on each of the next two Wildcat possessions, but the offense was unable to sustain a drive and the first quarter ended at 0-0.
But, the offense took over at their 15 yard line early in the second quarter and eight plays later Maddy Johnson scored on an 11 yard scamper. Included in the drive were two big pass completions from Breckin Williams to Austin Daniel, the first covered 32 yards and the last was a 26 yard completion to set up Johnson's score.
Webb City had one final chance to score late in the half, taking over at the Harrisonville 39 yard line with just over a minute remaining, but a 30 yard field goal attempt was blocked and the Cardinals went to the locker room with a 7-0 lead.
In the first half the Cardinals defense limited Harrisonville to only 59 yards on 26 plays, while the offense was able to gain 182 yards.
The second half began with the defense forcing another Harrisonville punt and the offense took over on their own 34 yard line. This time the Cardinals only need 5 plays as Maddy Johnson took an option pitch 48 yards down the sideline and Webb City was now leading 14-0.
The second drive began at midfield after another Wildcat punt and the offense wasted no time and Maddy Johson scored the third touchdown of the game from 13 yards out and the Cardinals were only 12 minutes from St. Louis.
The offensive line took over early in the fourth quarter and marched the Cardinals down the field in a time consuming 11 play drive, taking over 5 minutes before Maddy punched it into the end zone for his fourth touchdown and Alex Easly tacked on the PAT. With only 6:51 left in the game, Webb City was now in control 28-0.
Harrisonville was able to sustain a drive and finally scored with a little more than 2 minutes left in the game.
An attempted onside kick provided the last highlight for the Webb City crowd as Phoenix Johnson scooped and scored past the Wildcat kickoff team to push the final score to 35-8.
The Cardinals will now face Warrenton, a 28-21 winner over Sikeston, on Saturday at 3:15. Advanced tickets will go on sale Monday morning at Mid-Missouri Bank, Southwest Missouri Bank and the Webb City schools central office. Ticket price is now $11.