By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Mountain Grove and Houston met in a rollercoaster defensive clash Friday night, which saw the host Panthers win to move to .500 on the season.
“We started off with three really tough games and started 0-3, and so I’m just really proud of my kids,” said Mountain Grove head coach Brandon Rodgers. “When you start off like that, it’s really easy for that to snowball. We came back and won a couple of games and lost to Liberty, then we picked up two wins against Salem and Houston, two very good ball teams. I’m just proud of my kids and the effort they are putting into it.”
The Panthers burned more than 10 minutes off the clock with 21 plays in the first quarter, reaching the red zone but failing to score thanks to Houston’s defensive stand. Mountain Grove gained another 10 yards after Houston punted, ending the quarter.
The Tigers forced and recovered a fumble at the top of the second quarter. Paydon Dixon, Daniel Hutcheson, and Aiden Sawyer helped advance the ball but turned it over on downs.
After a Mountain Grove punt, Houston picked up 10 quick yards and a pass interference call in their favor. Panther Alex Casas shut down the drive with a big interception with just 6 seconds to go in the half.
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Each team struggled to move the ball in the third, but Houston put together a solid drive to be the first on the board. Dixon carried for four yards, and quarterback Dakota Burchett completed a pass to Connor Wilson for three yards and a holding call against the Panthers on the play. Burchett once again connected in the air with Wilson for a 28-yard gain, and CJ Lee capped off the drive, scoring from 14 yards out.
Down 6-0, the Panthers began to knit together their first scoring drive. Casas put his team in good field position with a solid kickoff return, and Rhett Wakefield broke free from a tackle for a 17-yard gain to put Mtn. Grove in the red zone.
Trevor Thompson improved the Panthers’ mood to start the fourth with a run to the end zone, tying the game at 6-6. Houston was moving the football until a quarterback sack knocked the ball free, and Mountain Grove’s Rhett Wakefield scooped it up and took it to the end zone.
Controversy arose when a referee made a conflicting call with an inadvertent whistle during the fumble scoop and score, thus the touchdown was called back and Mountain Grove received the ball where the whistle was blown.
Now at the 20-yard line, Mountain Grove’s Thompson picked up nine yards and Wakefield and Trey Hovey helped him chip away until Wakefield scored on a quarterback sneak. Trevor Thompson added the extra point, 13-6.
The Tigers advanced to the red zone with 12 seconds on the clock, but a quarterback sack ended their hopes and the defensive battle.
Houston had 165 total yards on the night. Burtchett was 6-11 for 61 yards passing. Daniel Hutcheson rushed for 75 yards on 13 carries. Aiden Sawyer had 10 carries for 27 yards, and Paydon Dixon carried 7 times for 20 yards.
Mountain Grove tallied 148 yards. Rhett Wakefield was 1 for 4 for 16 yards passing and rushed for 37 yards on 15 carries. Trevor Thompson picked up 62 yards on 24 carries, and Trey Hovey added 26 yards on 14 carries.
The Panthers are now 4-4 and face Thayer next week. Houston falls to 5-3 and will take on Liberty next.
