Smothering Webb City defense overwhelms Nixa

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Reports of Webb City’s demise may have been greatly exaggerated.
 
The Cardinals utilized a smothering defense and a heavy dose of ground-and-pound en route to a 34-10 victory over Nixa Friday night.
 
Webb City held the Eagles to 158 yards of offense and only 19 yards on the ground.
 
PHOTOS: WEBB CITY VS. NIXA

Ranked No. 6 in Class 5 and undefeated heading into the contest, Nixa seemed primed and ready to avenge nearly three decades of frustration at the hands of the Class 4, No. 7 Cardinals.
 
Since the teams first meeting in 1988, Webb City has pitched a 15-0 shutout of 12 regular-season wins and three victories in the state playoffs.

Unfortunately for Nixa, any hopes of avenging were dashed early on in the first half, as its first three offensive series of the game all ended up with the same result … three-and-out.
 
Webb City’s offense, on the other hand, didn’t waste any time at all establishing a foothold along the offensive line, amassing 231 yards on the ground and another 129 yards in the air from quarterbacks Cash Link and Caleb Ensminger.
 
On the Cardinals’ first series, Will Larson capped a 14-play, 64-yard drive with a 4th-and-goal dive into the end zone.
 
After Webb City got the ball back, it was more of the same.
 
A 67-yard drive on the Cardinals’ second series ended with a Hunter Vanlue plunge for another score.
 
Vanlue scored his second touchdown of the game shortly before halftime to give Webb City a commanding 22-0 lead.
 
Cardinals head coach John Roderique talked about his defense coming up big in the first half.
 
“I thought our field position early, that was a big key,” Roderique said. “Our defense held, and we got the ball back near midfield two or three times. I was really impressed with the number of third-and-short, fourth-and-short stops that we had. This one goes to the defense, no question.”
 
Vanlue finished the game with 56 yards and two scores for Webb City, while running mate Cameron Baker led the Cardinals with 78 yards on the ground. The Cardinals also protected the football much better than in past games with only a single turnover in the game.
 
Nixa was finally able to move the ball early in the second quarter yet, for each big play the Eagles made, penalties and drive-killing miscues seemed to quickly follow.
 
A 28-yard pass play from Andrew Rivera to Austin Bracker gave Nixa a first down at the Webb City 37; however, a pair of penalties and sacks from both Jordon Rogers and Javis Berlin forced the Eagles back to the other side of the 50.
 
Rogers, in particular, caused plenty of havoc for the Cardinals defense. The junior linebacker was able to find clear paths off the edge thanks in part to solid play along the line. His sack pushed Nixa into a 2nd-and-24 situation.
 
“We’ve got to win in the trenches,” Rogers said. “When we win in the trenches, then our linebackers, corners and safeties all run free, and we’re able to go and make tackles. We had a blitz called there, and I just came off the edge. They did a little zone and ran right into me.”
 
Roderique praised his defensive unit for its play-making abilities.
 
“I thought Jordon played really well,” Roderique said. “I saw him in the backfield several times, and a lot of our kids did. So many times, you only see the guys that play on two feet. Those guys that are playing with their hand on the ground, those are the guys that really make a huge difference. A lot of times, those guys can create double-teams, you know, move people, and that kind of frees those linebackers up.”
 
Nixa managed to put points on the board before halftime when Sean Sample kicked a field goal from 26 yards out, but the Eagles simply couldn’t string plays together on a consistent basis.
 
While Nixa head coach Richard Rehagen was disappointed in his team’s offensive showing, he wasn’t surprised with Webb City’s relentless defensive pressure and overall team speed.
 
“They can all run … they can all run,” Rehagen said. “It just seems like they get off blocks and run to the ball really well, and that’s been something they’ve done for a long time. That’s not a new thing.”
 
Rehagen also lamented the host of untimely penalties that plagued Nixa throughout the evening.
 
“You’ve got to give Webb City credit tonight, but we didn’t help ourselves,” Rehagen said. “We had way too many penalties. You get a good play and, next thing you know, it’s first and fifteen on something we’ve done, and that’s hard to do against a good defense.”
 
Nicos Oropeza scored late in the fourth to give Nixa its lone touchdown.
 
Both teams face tough conference tests next week. Webb City (4-2) hosts a rejuvenated Ozark, while Nixa (5-1) heads west to face off against Carthage.

Webb City – 34, Nixa – 10
 
Webb City       14  8  0  12  —  34
Nixa                 0  3   0   7  —  10

First quarter scoring
Webb City       Will Larson 1-yd TD rush (2pt conversion failed),6 – 0
Webb City       Hunter Vanlue 2-yard TD rush,14 – 0
(Blake Catterson 2-pt conversion rush)
 
Second quarter scoring
Webb City       Vanlue 1-yd TD rush, 22 – 0
(Alex Gaskill 2-pt reception from Caleb Ensminger)
Nixa                 Sean Sample 26-yd field goal, 22 – 3
 
Fourth quarter scoring
Webb City       Will Larson 1-yd TD rush (2pt conversion failed), 28 – 3
Webb City       Luis Perez 7-yd TD rush (PAT missed), 34 – 3
Nixa                 Nicos Oropeza 2-yd TD rush (Sample kick), 34 – 10

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