Webb City extended its state record regular-season winning streak to 82 games by beating Carl Junction 44-3 on Friday night in  a prep football opener.

The two-time defending Class 4 state champion Cardinals boosted their winning streak to 31 games before an overflow crowd at Bulldog Stadium.

Webb City, which rushed for 366 yards and amassed 195 passing, led 24-3 at halftime in a game that started under an overcast sky. 

Webb City quarterback John Roderique threw for 195 yards on 6-for-8 accuracy and rushed just four times for 97 yards.

Cardinal Cooper Smith rushed for 140 yards on eight carries and Phoenix Johnson scored two touchdowns.

Said Webb City coach Roderique: "I thought overall we played better in the second half. I thought we were sluggish (in the first half).

"We didn't execute that well on offense. We started off the game a little nervous or anxious. It didn't seem like we had that many snaps (in the first half). We weren't getting off the ball that well.

"We also missed a lot of tackles," Roderique said. "We were giving up yardage after tackles.

"I did think the protection for our quarterback by the offensive line was good," Roderique said.

Johnson's 3-yard run and Roderique's 35-yard completion to Logan Williams provided Webb City with its touchdowns in the first period.

The Cardinals made it 24-0 in the second quarter on Alex Easley's 17-yard  field goal and Roderique's 45-yard run.

Smith (26 yards) and Johnson (9), who finished with 63 yards on nine carries, rushed for scores in the third period. Joseph Jones recovered a teammate's fumble in the end zone with about two minutes left in the game for the final touchdown.

Cardinals Kohl Slaughter and Jalen Vaden each caught two passes for 94 and 57 yards, respectively.

The Cardinals will welcome HarBer next Friday night in their home opener