BY JASON PEAKE
Surrendering a 70-yard touchdown pass a minute into the game served as an early wakeup call for the Webb City Cardinals.
Energized in response to the early strike, the Cardinals didn't allow another score until the game's final minutes.
Led by its stout defense and explosive offense, Webb City rolled past Republic 51-12 on Friday in a Central Ozark Conference clash at Cardinal Stadium.
"It kind of woke up our defense and let them know that Republic came to play," Webb City coach John Roderique said. "They've got some good football players. They've had a lot of games earlier in the season that they could have won, and you see why when they're on the field."
After allowing the early touchdown, which trimmed Webb City's lead to a single point, the Cardinals responded with 37 unanswered first-half points to turn a close one into a rout.
"For them to score on their second play of the game, it woke us up," Webb City junior defensive lineman Trenten Thompson said. "Our defense had to step it up after that. We settled down, got our heads straight and zoned in. We had the right mindset, and we just did what we do best."
The top-ranked team in Class 4 by the Missouri Media, Webb City kept its record unblemished at 7-0.
Webb City compiled 507 yards of total offense, with 359 rushing and 148 passing.
Senior running back Kane Parks led the Cardinals with 93 rushing yards and two scores. Senior quarterback Cade Beason completed 4-of-9 passes for 140 yards, with junior Terrell Kabala hauling in a pair of touchdown passes.
Republic (2-5) gained 291 yards —147 passing and 144 rushing.
Playing in front of a large homecoming crowd, the Cardinals needed only 14 seconds to score on the opening drive, with Devrin Weathers' 11-yard sprint capping a two-play, 62-yard drive.
That's when the Tigers stunned the hosts on their second play from scrimmage with a 70-yard touchdown pass from Lucas Hayes to Jaden Duvall.
"We were in the right spots, but they just made a play," Webb City senior linebacker/defensive back Alex Gaskill said. "After that, we recognized what they were doing, and we adjusted pretty quickly. That's props to our coaches."
Republic's kick was blocked, keeping the Cardinals in front. Webb City regained the momentum for good after Kade Hicks picked off a Republic pass and Beason ran for a 42-yard touchdown.
Next, an 80-yard touchdown pass from Beason to Kabala and a 32-yard touchdown run by Parks gave the Cardinals a 28-6 cushion at the 5:06 mark of the second period.
After the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Thompson recovered a fumble, the Cardinals extended their lead to 35-6 after Durand Henderson's 25-yard dash. A poor snap on a punt attempt resulted in a safety for the Cardinals, and then Beason's 35-yard touchdown strike to Kabala made it 44-6 at halftime.
"We really found some rhythm in the second quarter," Roderique said. "Sometimes it comes down to what they want to give up. It was one of those games where we completed some big passes. We've had a lot of success with the deep ball."
There was a running clock in the second half and fourth quarter touchdown runs by Republic's Louis Wallace and Webb City's Parks accounted for the final margin.
Webb City travels to Ozark (1-6) next Friday.
Joplin Globe 10/06/18 (Used by permission)