With the Chiefs back in the Central Ozark Conference, it was only a matter of time before the Eagles would face their old Ozark Conference foe.
The wait wasn’t long, as Joplin defeated Kickapoo 30-7 to open the season, giving Eagles head coach Curtis Jasper secured his 150th career win in the process.
The Eagles were led offensively by senior WR Davin Thomas’ six receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Senior WR Collis Jones caught a pair of passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Junior QB Daniel Rose completed 11-of-16 passes for 204 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Senior RB Toryn Jones carried the ball 16 times for 44 yards and a score, while junior RB Traevian McCadney added 16 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Defensively, Thomas, and Jakobe Taylor (SR.) and Josiah Hazlewood all had sacks, while Jones added an interception as well as a pass break-up. Taylor also registered a safety.
Joplin returns home for another matchup against an old conference rival—Lebanon