Webb City scored 35 first quarter points and cruised to a 42-13 win over the McDonald County Mustangs Friday night at Webb City High School in the opening round of the Missouri Class 4 state playoffs.
It took little time for the five-time defending state champions to prove the 2015 undefeated and top-ranked Cardinals are ready to make a run for their sixth consecutive state title.
With less than 90 seconds gone, Webb City's Tate Smith recovered a blocked punt in the McDonald County end zone after the Cardinal defense forced a three and out to open the game. Corey Duley added the first of his six extra points to give Webb City a 7-0 lead with 10:34 left in the first quarter.
While the Webb City offense scored 42 points by midway through the second period, it was the Cardinals defense that dominated the first half. McDonald County was held without a first down and to negative yardage in the first two quarters.
Webb City's second touchdown came on a 34-yard run by Keaton Burroughs with 6:40 left in the quarter. The Cardinals went ahead 21-0 on Kaleb Potts 39-yard run at the 3:36 mark. Cardinal quarterback Tyson Roderique then hit Channing Mickey with an eight-yard touchdown pass with 1:53 left in the quarter before Burroughs added a nine yard touchdown run in the final minute of the quarter.
Webb City scored its final touchdown on a 50-yard run by Andrew Greek with 7:02 remaining in the first half before the Cardinals took a knee inside the McDonald County five-yard line on the last play of the first half.
With Webb City's reserves taking over for the second half, McDonald County outscored the Cardinals 13-0 in the final two periods.
The Mustangs got on the scoreboard on its first possession of the second half after defensive end Jarrett Sanny recovered a fumble on the Cardinals' first play from scrimmage in the third quarter.
McDonald County marched 36 yards in six plays behind the running of Jake Will. The junior running back carried on all six plays of the drive, including a one-yard touchdown run with 8:10 left in the third quarter. Peyton Barton kicked the extra point to cut the Webb City lead to 42-7.
McDonald County's second touchdown was set up another Webb City fumble, this one recovered by Cole DelosSantos at the Cardinals 30-yard line.
After the Cardinals were whistled for a pass interference penalty, McDonald County was facing a fourth and eight from the Webb City 13-yard line when Barton hit a leaping Will in the back of the end zone for the Mustangs' second touchdown with 4:03 left in the game.
After being held to negative yards in the first half, McDonald County finished with 61 total yards. Will led the offense with 54 yards on 15 carries.
Webb City finished with 327 total yards, including 307 on the ground.
"I am proud of our guys," said coach Corey Henry. "They played hard and never quit. That says a lot when you play a team like Webb City. I knew going into the game we would be in for an uphill challenge, but also knew the players would give every ounce of effort they had. Our seniors did a great job leading our underclassmen. It's a building process and they are on the right track. You can't build a tradition overnight. Now it's time to hit the weights, improve the fundamentals and study film which I have no doubt they will dedicate themselves to do."
McDonald County finishes the 2015 season with a 1-9 record, including a 1-8 mark in the Big 8 Conference.
Sports on 10/29/2015