A clash of top ranked teams lived up to its billing but the Cardinals were unable to hold on and fell to Republic 27-21 on Friday night.

The Cardinals took the opening kickoff and chewed up eight minutes as they went the 80 yards in a 16 play drive.  Aided by a roughing the punter penalty, that 15 yards was the largest play of the drive as the offense methodically moved down the field.  Mason Williams and Abel Getz carried the ball on 13 of the plays with Getz going the final two yards and the score.  

Republic tried to answer and went on an 11 play drive of their own.  Converting one fourth down, they attempted to convert a fourth and five inside Cardinal territory only to have Slade Hurd intercept the pass in the end zone to end the drive.

After a three and out from the Cardinals, the defense once again forced a Tiger turnover, this time it was Trevor Lofland pouncing on a fumble at the Webb City 31 yard line.  Three plays later, Mason Williams busted up the middle for a 68 yard score to put the Cardinals up 14-0.

Republic struck back in the next 12 seconds when their quarterback scored their first touchdown on their next play, sprinting 67 yards for the score.

The Tigers got the ball to open the second half and tried to mirror the Cardinals opening drive.  Using nearly five minutes, they went 68 yards in 12 plays but missed the PAT leaving Webb City holding a slim 14-13 lead.

Starting their first drive on the 20 yard line, a big 55 yard from Mason Williams moved the Cardinals near the red zone.  They would cash in as Wiliams went around the right side and stretched out to just touch the pylon in front of the band for the score and with a successful PAT from Diego Aldrete, Webb City was back in front 21-13.

The Tigers responded as a top ranked team would.  Needing only eight plays as the quarter changed from three to four, they scored and converted the two point conversion to knot the score at 21 each.

Webb City got the ball back with 10:28 left in the game and began one of those long sustained drives again. Beginning at their own eight, they took eleven plays to move down to the Tiger thirty six yard line.  However, on fourth and one, the Cardinals were stopped and gave the back to Republic with less than five to go.  

The worse case scenario would have been for Republic to use all of the clock as they scored and they almost accomplished that.  Keeping the ball on the ground, the clock kept ticking away as they moved deep into Cardinal territory.  On third and goal they finally punched it on with a 1:25 left in the contest.  The Cardinals blocked the extra point attempt and left the door open, trailing 27-21.

Trae Turner took the ensuing kickoff and got the faithful to their feet as he ripped off of 35 yard return.  Going to the air, the Cardinals were unable to complete a pass and on their final play was sacked giving the ball back to Republic for a final kneel down.

Mason Williams had another big night, going for 185 yards on 15 carries, with the Cardinals finishing with 273 yards on the ground.