WEBB CITY, Mo. — A ghost that stalked the Neosho football program across three decades was finally laid to rest Friday night at Cardinal Stadium.
Quarterback Blayne Patterson hit Kaide Sikes for a 14-yard touchdown pass with roughly five minutes left in the fourth quarter, breaking a 28-28 deadlock and lifting Neosho to a 35-28 victory over Webb City. The win halted a 28-game, 27-year losing streak against the Cardinals, securing one of the most significant regular-season triumphs in Wildcat history.
When Webb City pulled even late in the fourth quarter, the script felt familiar. Neosho ripped it up. Patterson stood tall against Cardinal pressure on the decisive drive, delivering the strike to Sikes before the Wildcat defense clamped down on Webb City’s final push to protect the seven-point margin.
Around the area, Friday night delivered tight battles, runaway routs, and dominant defensive efforts.
Republic 26, Carthage 22
Republic held off a relentless second-half push from Carthage to secure a 26-22 win in a one-possession fight that went down to the final snap.
Carthage leaned heavily on workhorse tailback Landon West, who entered Friday with 982 rushing yards on the season. West repeatedly hammered between the tackles to keep the Tigers within striking distance, but Republic’s defense stiffened when it mattered most, denying Carthage the go-ahead score in the closing minutes.
Carl Junction 34, Bolivar 7
Carl Junction senior quarterback Burke Diskin dismantled the Bolivar defense before the bands even took the field for halftime.
Diskin accounted for four total touchdowns in the opening two quarters, pacing the Bulldogs to a 27-0 cushion at the break. Bolivar found no answers for Carl Junction’s tempo and execution, allowing the Bulldogs to control the second-half clock and cruise to the 34-7 decision.
Joplin 31, Willard 7
Joplin took control early and never looked back, pulling away for a 31-7 win over Willard.
The Eagles established the line of scrimmage from the opening drive, building a 31-7 cushion by the third quarter. With the game well in hand, Joplin’s defense smothered Willard’s passing lanes and drained the remaining clock in a scoreless fourth quarter.
Drexel/Miami 40, New Heights Christian Academy 0
The Drexel/Miami 8-man co-op put on a defensive clinic Friday night, pitching a 40-0 shutout against New Heights Christian Academy.
The Bobcats swarmed the Cougars’ backfield all evening, wiping out perimeter runs and denying New Heights Christian any rhythm inside the red zone. On the other side of the ball, Drexel/Miami cashed in on short fields to turn the non-conference matchup into a runaway rout.