Round 2: WC v. Neosho...again

For the second game in a row, Webb City had the daunting task of taking on an opponent they’d already beaten in the regular season. In some sports this isn’t that big of an issue, but in football it’s a tall order. Motivation to even a score combined with the importance of game planning are huge in football (especially in high school), so even if you took someone down in the regular season you can’t take them for granted in the post-season (take Carthage in 2007 for example).

For the second game in a row rain was an issue for WC. Unlike last Wednesday, this time it was cold and rainy. And unlike last Wednesday, I wasn’t there. So please understand that the account and observations that follow are based on text messages from Jayson French and the part of the game I caught on the radio via the internet.

The short version is that Webb got their business taken care of. It was an ugly first quarter with no score and several missed opportunities, but when WC woke up in the second quarter they began the kind of methodical dismantling of Neosho that a fan loves to see. Why does a fan love to see that?

They demonstrated the ability to control the opponent’s offense, keep them off the field and maintain possession of the ball while putting sufficient points on the board to win comfortably.

For most of the 4th quarter WC enjoyed the continuous clock mercy rule that exists in MSHSAA football as a result of having a 35-point lead. A late touchdown by Neosho stopped the continuous clock for the last couple of minutes of play.

Webb’s rushing attack did what it does – hit people in the mouth and pound them into submission. Mack, Seth, and Braxton did their thing, each scoring (Seth scored twice) and Jeremiah Box added the 5th score.

Defensively the Cards were tough up front and did their classic bend, but don’t break routine. The one time Neosho scored it was at the end of the game and came as a result of a fumbled punt return. But that does bring up one thing to be discussed: mistakes.

While a solid and fairly dominant performance, WC cannot make the kinds of mistakes they did on Monday if they hope to continue their march to St. Louis. Fumbles, penalties, interceptions, mental errors on defense, these are the things that will end your playoff run all too soon. I am sure that John and the coaches are preaching that message this week in anticipation of a home tilt with Bolivar on Saturday afternoon.

Yes, that’s right. Because Bolivar beat Union and the way the scheduling works with MSHSAA, WC will host their third consecutive playoff game on Saturday afternoon. I could explain why and how, but you’d be asleep before I got finished.

I don’t know squat about Bolivar except that they beat what was supposed to be a very good Union team (one of 2 teams in Missouri class 4 ranked ahead of WC). My guess is that they might have a common regular season opponent or two and I’m sure Robin Sigars knows all about them.

My take: The Cards will have to protect their house. Any team that travels to WC faces an uphill climb – and not just because of the chat piles. The crowd will be huge and probably loud. If the Cards play well – limit mistakes, execute on both sides and in special teams – they will be a tough out in their house.