By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
It takes guts and talent to deploy a high press like Kickapoo does.
Behind senior forwards Landon Keisker and Corbin Clay, the Chiefs certainly check the box in both categories.
“That’s what we always do,” Clay said. “We love pressing teams… They make a mistake and we capitalize.”
Clay registered two goals – and had a big role in a third score – as Kickapoo rallied from an early deficit to thump Glendale 4-1 on Tuesday night in the Southside Showdown.
Clay, who had 15 goals last season, is well on his way to surpassing that mark this year for the Chiefs (5-1 overall).
“We’ve had six games so far. I don’t know off the top of my head how many goals he’s had for us, but he’s got most of them,” said Chiefs coach Phil Hodge. “He’s determined and he’s a competitor. He has a win-at-all costs mentality.”
Clay and Keisker swung the game in Kickapoo’s favor late in the first half. Trailing 1-0, Keisker connected with Clay on a corner kick with three seconds remaining before halftime.
“I knew (Landon) Keisker was going to play a big ball in,” Clay said. “I had another teammate about to head the ball. I had to call him off. I just ran through it and headed it into the goal.”
Glendale was left shell-shocked. The Falcons conceded two more goals in the opening 10 minutes of the second half as Kickapoo took a commanding 3-1 lead.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
“Kickapoo’s just relentless,” said Glendale coach Jeff Rogers. “We’re young and inexperienced and it showed. We’ll keep building and getting better. Hopefully we’ll be there in the postseason – that’s what it’s all about.”
The Chiefs took a 2-1 lead on Glendale’s own goal in the 43rd minute. Pressure from Clay caused the errant score.
Clay earned the brace in the 50th minute, scoring after a throw-in.
A big performance against Glendale is nothing new for Clay. He had a hat trick in Kickapoo’s wild 5-4 overtime win over Glendale in the 2020 edition of the Southside Showdown.
“It’s just the energy that comes around,” Clay said. “When it’s Glendale week, everyone’s ready.”
Said Hodge: “It feels good to get the trophy back, and even better that we’re off to a good start this season. Our kids did not panic. They’re resilient and experienced.”
From an opponent’s perspective, the 2022 Chiefs have the makings of being a state final four contender in Class 4.
“Corbin’s one of the strongest players in the area right now, if not the best,” Rogers said. “Then they have plenty of weapons that are just going to get cranked up. They’ll only get better and stronger as the season goes along.
“We had that group the last couple of years. When you have that leadership and experience, it’s huge.”
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
A young Glendale squad had Kickapoo on upset alert early. The Falcons played a long pass from mid-field to sophomore Carson Tittsworth, who took a touch, eluded a defender and buried a grounder home.
“More disappointed (than frustrated) really,” Hodge said of the early deficit. “We didn’t feel like we played with much rhythm or flow in the first half.”
Glendale nearly went up 2-0 in the 35th minute on a direct kick near the box. The shot hit the crossbar.
“We’ll learn from this,” Rogers said. “In the postseason, you have to be able to defend for three seconds. You have to be able to withstand pressure. Giving Kickapoo that many throw-ins and corner kicks, eventually they’re going to find the back of the net and they did.”
Kickapoo hosts Lebanon this Thursday and Ozark on Sept. 15.
Glendale continues a busy week, hosting Rolla on Thursday then competing in Parkview’s Viking Showdown on Friday and Saturday. The Falcons will host pool games over those two days.
Rogers is two wins away from reaching 1,000 wins (boys and girls) for his career.
“It’ll come when it’s supposed to, but that’s not my focus or the team’s focus,” Rogers said. “We’ll celebrate down the road. Our focus is to use every game to gain experience and hopefully be one of those teams in the postseason that’s hard to beat. We’re still Glendale and we take pride in that.”
Kickapoo 4, Glendale 1
Glendale 1 0 — 1
Kickapoo 1 3 — 4
First half
Glendale (5’) – Carson Tittsworth
Kickapoo (40’) – Corbin Clay (Landon Keisker assist)
Second half
Kickapoo (43’) – Glendale own goal
Kickapoo (50’) – Clay
Kickapoo (61’) – Dane Prost
