SPRINGFIELD — {Hardware} was handed out to some groups, whereas others shed tears. It was the district championship for highschool soccer in Missouri on Friday, Nov. 14. The playoffs proceed to be wild, with upsets and loopy finishes.
Right here’s the whole lot that occurred to Springfield space groups within the district title sport.
Nixa hangs on to defeat red-hot Ozark
There isn’t a single group within the space that has improved extra because the season went alongside than Ozark (6-6). Nixa felt Ozark’s wrath all through the district championship sport.
The Eagles needed to maintain on to a 34-27 win to safe the title. Nixa (10-2) coach John Perry a, calling Ozark’s efficiency the very best he’d seen in seven years.
Ozark had the ball at Nixa’s 10-yard line with lower than 10 seconds to play. Down a landing, Ozark tried to fireplace move after move to the tip zone from quarterback Caden O’Donnell.
Nixa used its personal beginning quarterback, Adam McKnight, to play defensive finish. McKnight went across the edge and sacked O’Donnell to finish the sport.
Nixa’s big-play means was an excessive amount of for Ozark. Nixa trailed 14-13 at halftime with its again in opposition to the wall. McKnight threw two of his three landing passes within the first half. He discovered Carter Mabe from 35 yards and Austin White from 60.
Ozark countered with a 1-yard dashing rating from Jett Easley. Easley additionally caught a 12-yard landing reception earlier than halftime.
Nixa got here out of the locker room with all the momentum. They scored back-to-back touchdowns. McKnight rushed for a 5-yard landing and threw a 30-yard bullet to Reed Wilson.
Ozark didn’t hand over because the group secured large play after large play. Easley scored one other dashing landing and O’Donnell discovered Mereck Putt for a 23-yard landing. The back-to-back landing drives delivered Ozark a 27-26 lead with 9:39 left within the sport.
When Nixa wants it, they put the ball of their star quarterback’s fingers. He scored the game-winning landing via a 48-yard rush down the close to sideline. A couple of minutes later, McKnight would come away with the game-ending sack.
Ozark interim head coach Ray Godfrey delivered this system its first .500-or-better end since 2020.
Nixa will go on the highway to face Blue Springs (9-2) on Friday, Nov. 20.
Republic, Helias able to conflict in Class 5 Quarterfinals as soon as once more
Because the season has continued, Republic (10-1) and Helias Catholic (11-0) have been on a path to satisfy within the playoffs. They’ve been two of the very best groups in Class 5 and they’re going to meet within the state quarterfinals on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Republic downed Neosho 56-13 for an enormous victory. This was Republic’s sixth win of the season settled by 27 factors or extra. Helias defeated Camdenton 30-8 to proceed its undefeated run. The Crusaders have gained every highway sport by a minimum of 16 factors.
This will probably be a rematch of the 2024 state quarterfinal sport, by which Helias defeated Republic 24-21. Republic defeated Helias 28-21 within the 2023 state quarterfinals, which finally led to the Tigers reaching the state title sport.
Bolivar upsets Logan-Rogersville on the highway
In Week 5, it couldn’t have gone a lot worse for Bolivar, as they suffered a heavy loss to Logan-Rogersville. That consequence was laid to relaxation, and Bolivar turned the tables on the Wildcats in an enormous district championship victory.
The Liberators defeated Rogersville 26-14, this system’s first district title since 2013. Bolivar truly trailed 14-13 coming into the fourth quarter. Large performs and lengthy drives delivered a serious playoff victory for the guests.
Logan-Rogersville’s Joe Roche and Kasimir Manczuk scored dashing touchdowns, however have been held in verify for a lot of the sport. Bolivar’s Chapel Banner threw a 68-yard landing to Waylon Cooper within the opening quarter. Banner additionally rushed for a 47-yard rating within the third quarter.
Within the remaining interval, Banner tossed a 55-yard bomb to vast receiver Shaqir McCoy to place Bolivar forward 19-14. Bolivar’s protection was excellent, particularly late within the sport. The Liberators pressured two punts and ended the sport on an interception caught by Cooper.
On the most important drive of the sport, Bolivar had the ball at its personal 20-yard line, up by 5. The Liberators marched down the sector, killing six minutes off the clock earlier than Banner rushed in for the landing to ice the sport.
Bolivar will host Warrensburg (11-1) for the Class 4 State Quarterfinal at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. Rogersville’s excellent season ends with a 9-2 report, this system’s highest win whole since 2011.
Truthful Grove thumps Springfield Catholic for district title
Truthful Grove didn’t need to repeat the results of its final assembly in opposition to Springfield Catholic. The Eagles used revenge to defeat the Irish 47-7 for the district title, erasing a daily season defeat.
The Eagles pressured 4 turnovers and a 4th-down cease close to midfield. Truthful Grove quarterback Gavin Thomason was wonderful. The senior, who just lately signed to play school baseball for Missouri State, was everywhere in the discipline.
He scored 4 dashing touchdowns to steer the offense. He scored short-yardage touchdowns whereas additionally peeling off a number of deep runs. He was balanced by working again Wyatt Hallum, who added two touchdowns. Austin Azeez additionally opened the scoring for Truthful Grove with an extended dashing landing. Springfield Catholic’s Sam Boster tied the sport early with a dashing landing, however the Irish couldn’t maintain tempo with a Truthful Grove protection that was on the mark.
The Eagles will host Lamar within the Class 2 State Quarterfinals at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13. This can be a rematch of the 2024 Class 2 State Championship sport, the place Lamar gained by three factors.
Southwest Missouri district championship schedule
Class 6
District 5
- No. 1 Nixa 34, No. 2 Ozark 27
Class 5
District 5
- No. 1 Helias Catholic 30, No. 2 Camdenton 8
District 6
- No. 1 Republic 56, No. 2 Neosho 13
Class 4
District 6
- No. 3 Bolivar 26, No. 1 Logan-Rogersville 14
Class 3
District 5
- No. 1 Mountain Grove 46, No. 2 Strafford 7
District 6
- No. 1 Cassville 30, No. 2 Seneca 6
Class 2
District 3
- No. 2 Truthful Grove 47, No. 1 Springfield Catholic 7
District 4
- No. 1 Lamar 66, No. 3 East Newton 20
Class 1
District 3
- No. 2 Miller 24, No. 1 Marionville 16
Liam Keating covers highschool sports activities and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield Information-Chief. Ship stats or data to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
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