BRANSON MO NEWS: Getting that first win remains a challenge for the Neosho Wildcats and their latest challenge will be tonight against the Nixa Eagles at Bob Anderson Stadium.
Brock Sisney
Getting that first win remains a challenge for the Neosho Wildcats and their latest challenge will be tonight against the Nixa Eagles at Bob Anderson Stadium.Nixa comes in at 4-0 overall and 3-0 Central Ozark Conference Large, with Neosho both 0-4 overall and 0-4 conference.Turnovers and penalties — especially the former — have been major contributing factors in Neosho’s 0-4 start. For example, last week, Carl Junction converted a series of Neosho turnovers into points and came out with a 35-7 win.The game started promisingly for the Wildcats, at least for the duration of the first quarter. Neosho senior quarterback Gavin Kelley opened the scoring with a 64-yard touchdown run, Neosho’s longest play of the season. The Wildcats controlled time of possession and Connor McGehee made a key strip on Carl Junction standout running back Rayquion Weston inside the Neosho 5, derailing Carl Junction’s first possession.Ultimately, though, Neosho’s defense could not keep Carl Junction off the field, as the Wildcats continue to have trouble stopping opponents in third- and fourth-down situations, a problem that’s plagued them every game this season.Nixa defeated Willard 41-27, Branson 21-19, Springfield Central 38-0, and Republic 31-26. The Eagles, like the Wildcats, lost a ton of starters from last season.In Week 1, running back Sean Sample — best known for his 50-yard field goal in the district playoffs against Neosho last season — gashed Willard for 306 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. This was his first start, after replacing the graduated Nicos Oropeza.In Week 2, Alex Allen — a 6-foot-6, 220-pound senior tight end and Division I prospect — blocked Branson’s 32-yard field …
Author:
Powered by WPeMatico