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By Nolan Epstein (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Glendale’s aerial attack was too much to handle for Lebanon (2-2) on Friday as Alex Huston and the Falcons bounced back for a 51-42 victory in Springfield despite Yellowjacket senior John Berry rushing for 216 yards and two touchdowns.
The win, which stopped a two-game skid, was much needed for a Glendale (2-2) squad that could only muster 42 combined points in its back-to-back losses to Hillcrest and West Plains.
“It was a great bounce-back,” all-everything quarterback Alex Huston said following the win. “The team put in a lot of practice throughout the week and decided we had to turn this ship around or it might fall apart. We ended up getting it turned back around. We put a great game together and a great win together.”
Huston put another gaudy performance together by completing 32 of 52 passes for 307 yards and seven touchdowns, but struggled to some extent in the first quarter as Lebanon, thanks to a successful ground game, jumped out to a 21-7 lead with 2:34 to go in the opening stanza.
But when the chips were down, head coach Mike Mauk knew he could rely on his senior core to steer the Falcons back in the right direction. His senior leaders on both sides of the ball didn’t disappoint – willing their team from a 14-point deficit to a 28-21 lead by halftime.
“They came out and displayed great leadership when they were behind,” Mauk said. “I thought they showed good character, and that was a positive thing for us.”
The Yellowjackets would remain determined the rest of the way, however, as a nine-yard touchdown scamper by Berry with 4:38 to go in the game cut Glendale’s lead to 44-42.
Looking to add one more score to all but seal the deal on its ensuing possession, Glendale turned to an unlikely source to deliver Lebanon’s proverbial nail in the coffin.
On Lebanon’s 16-yard line with 58.3 seconds remaining, Huston found sophomore wideout Sam Conyers open in the end zone, connecting with him to put the Falcons up by eight. An extra point by kicker Noah Baratta ultimately made it a two-possession game to end the Yellowjackets’ hopes.
In the victory, standout wide receivers Winston Quinn and Max Nichols were difference makers – combining to find the end zone on five occasions.
“They did a good job of staying within the realm of our offense and doing what we needed them to do,” said Mauk of Quinn and Nichols. “They’ve got to make catches just like those guys up front have to make blocks and our quarterback has to make throws.”
After the game, Mauk was more than happy with what his Falcons displayed on the field for 48 minutes against a Lebanon team that showcases no shortage of talent and determination.
“It was important for us to win the game, but it wasn’t the most important thing,” Mauk added. “What I needed to see was what they did tonight. They competed, they came back, and it wasn’t one person. They all did a great job.”
Glendale will get ready to face its arch rival, Kickapoo, in their annual showdown next Friday, while Lebanon returns home to square off against Hillcrest.
Glendale 51, Lebanon 42
Lebanon 21-0-14-7 – 42
Glendale 14-14-8-15 – 51
First quarter
Lebanon – Ivey 11 run (PAT good)
Lebanon – Appleberry 2 run (PAT good)
Glendale – Quinn 17 catch from Huston (PAT good)
Lebanon – Berry 1 run (PAT good)
Glendale – Leali 4 catch from Huston (PAT good)
Second quarter
Glendale – Nichols 31 catch from Huston (PAT good)
Glendale – Quinn 3 catch from Huston (PAT good)
Third quarter
Lebanon – Ivey 7 run (PAT good)
Lebanon – Breeden 1 run (PAT good)
Glendale – Quinn 7 catch from Huston (two-point conversion good)
Fourth quarter
Glendale – Nichols 6 catch from Huston (two-point conversion good)
Lebanon – Berry 9 run (PAT good)
Glendale – Conyers 16 catch from Huston (PAT good)
