Webb City defeats MICDS in an offensive shootout 56-42 to claim the 2011 title.
In a RUN vs PASS game, the Cardinals and Rams set a state record with over 1000 yards of offense combined. The Cardinals were only stopped once on offense, an interception on their first possession, and the Rams were stopped three times in the game.
The Rams struck first with a nine play drive after the interception.
Webb City began their next possession on the own 27 and Jamison Cady went 36 yards on the first play to the Ram thirty seven. Seven plays later, the Cardinals had tied the game.
The Rams started their drive on our 41 yard line after a big kick off return. A big 23 yard pass play on fourth and one took the ball inside the ten and the MICDS quarterback threw the first of his five touchdown passes.
The Cardinals kickoff team answered right back, returning the Ram kick back to their end of the field setting up the offense at the thirty seven. The three play drive was capped with Breckin Williams scoring from thirty one yards out and knotting the score at 14-14.
The Cardinals got the ball right back as Alex Easley dropped the kickoff just over the front line and Webb City recovered at the Ram twenty three. Breckin scored for the second time on the first play of the second quarter and the Cardinals finally had the lead 21-14.
But the Rams struck quickly. A forty yard run and three passes and the score was tied at 21 with 10:37 left in the half.
Phoenix Johnson broke loose with a 42 yard run to start the Cardinal next drive. Johnson capped the seven play drive with his first touchdown of the day.
The defense held the Rams scoreless on their next drive, even though the held the ball for over seven minutes and had a sixteen play drive. MICDS was able to get as close as the eleven before misfiring on a fourth down pass.
The Cardinals had the ball with a less than a minute in the half the running game pushed the Rams down the field quickly. Jamison Cady started with a 31 yard run followed up by Williams for 23 yards and Johnson a quick nine and the ball was sitting at the Ram thirty one. Alex Easley then attempted a a long 47 yard field goal that, although on line, came up just short. The Cardinals went to the locker room with a 28-21 lead.
The Cardinal kickoff team was able to pin the Rams at the six yard line to start the half, but utilizing the pass, MICDS covered the 94 yards in only seven plays to tie the game.
MICDS tried to catch the Cardinals with a short kick, but the Cardinals were able to cover the ball and started their drive on their own 41. The Cardinals ran nine consecutive running plays pushing the ball down to the Ram 25 and then Williams hit tight end Kohl Slaughter off of play action with a touchdown pass.
The defense was able to hold the Rams to a three and out and Phoenix Johson slid inside and blocked the Ram punt and the Cardinals were back on offense at the Ram 31.
The Cardinals extended their lead to 42-28 when Williams kept the option play himself over the right side from eighteen yards.
MICDS struck back with two touchdown drives of their own to start the fourth quarter. They scored their first on a fourteen play drive and the recovered an onside kick and tied the score six plays later at 42-42 with only 4:17 left in the game.
The Cardinals wasted little time in reestablishing their lead. Starting at their twenty, Johnson picked up four yards and Williams ran straight up the middle the remaining 76 yards for the touchdown and a 49-42 lead.
But here came the Rams. Beginning at the own 22, mixing a little run with the pass, they were able to get the ball down to the Webb City thirty three. The defense held them, and on fourth down, they forced an incomplete pass as Jose Speer ran the quarter back down just as the pass was being thrown and the Cardinals took over with only 58 seconds remaining.
Phoenix Johnson then showed he had something left in the legs, as he took the next play off the right side sixty seven yards for the final score. Easley added his eighth PAT and Webb City held a 56-42 lead.
Brent Greek intercepted the Rams with only eight seconds left to set off the celebration.
The Cardinals completed their season 15-0 and back to back undefeated seasons. The program captured their tenth state title, tied for most in MSHSAA history.
