If you listened to the football talk, Webb City was supposed to be just another bump in the road for Nixa to breeze past in the COC, but nobody told the Cardinals. Taking everything the Eagles had to offer and not backing down, Webb City held Nixa to within one score, 28-20, the first time that has happened in two seasons to the Eagles.
Nixa struck first as their number one running back took it 73 yards on the first play of the game and the Eagles led 7-0 in the first 16 seconds.
How did Webb respond? The took their opening possession and ran it right at the Nixa defense. Driving all the way down inside the one yard line, an untimely fumble recovered by the Cardinals at the three and then a incomplete pass on fourth down left the visitors scoreless.
Nixa sensing the opportunity to break open the game wasted little time in pushing into Cardinal territory. After picking up a first down inside the Cardinal twenty, the defense rose up as Braylan Coleman tackled the Nixa qb for a loss and then Karsen Myers intercepted the next pass to end the threat.
The Cardinals tied the game with an 11 play 63 yard drive, capped by a Slade Hurd four yard run, just squeezing inside the left side pylon. The remainder of the first half then belonged to Nixa as they were able to find the end zone twice, once on a long pass play and then a score with only four seconds remaining, pushing out to a 21-7 lead.
After the halftime festivities, the Cardinals stunned the Eagle crowd on their first play of the half when Mason Williams ran down the near side line 74 yards for a score, closing back to within 21-14.
Forcing an Eagles punt, Webb City broke another long run deep into Nixa territory, only to see a flag fall to the gray turf., setting back into their own end of the field.
A short punt set the Eagles up inside the Cardinal forty yard line and four plays later Webb City was down two scores once again.
The offensive line then went to work as they embarked on a 17 play drive over nine minutes with Gabe Johnson carrying it in on fourth and five. The extra point was blocked, but the Cardinals were back to within one score.
The defense held one last time, forcing a turnover on downs and giving the offense the ball back with almost six minutes left to go. Starting at the own 26, two long runs from Mason Williams and a carry from Gabe Johson and Slade Hurd had the Cardinals inside the the Eagle forty yard line. Two plays later on third and three, the yellow rag once again helped stall the drive as two incomplete passes later, the Eagles took over and virtually ran out the clock.
The Cardinals ran for 100 yards more than the Eagles, Mason Williams finishing with 185 yards on 22 carries. They also held the ball for 10 more minutes of game time. Passing yardage was in the Eagles favor.
Ultimately it is recorded as a loss, the fifth consecutive in the series with the Eagles. However, an early season litmus test of just where you are against the #1 ranked class 6 school, can only pay dividends as the Cardinals face one more inter division opponent at home next Friday in Kickapoo before beginning West division play.