2007 - Bulldogs fall in finale

 GAME 10 PHOTOS

  

By Anvil Welch, The Joplin Globe

Webb City, relying on its defense, survived a rocky beginning to move past Carl Junction 28-6 on Thursday night to claim District 4-12 and enter the MSHSAA football playoffs.

 

Webb City, though it committed three turnovers, led 14-0 at the half and built the advantage to 28-0 in the third quarter at packed Cardinal Stadium.

 

The Southwest Conference champion Cardinals (10-0), top-ranked and defending Class 4 champions, visit Carthage in the sectional round of the playoffs at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

 

Carl Junction, tri-champions in the Big 8 Conference, finished 8-2.

 

Junior quarterback Mack Kyle rushed for two touchdowns in gaining 110 yards on 13 carries and completed 11-of-18 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown.

 

Kyle and elusive senior wide receiver Landon Zerkel hooked up for 112 yards and the score on six receptions.

 

Carl Junction received a sterling 179-yard rushing performance on 28 carries from 180-pound senior Zak Porath.

 

“We didn’t capitalize on any of those turnovers in the first half,” Carl Junction coach Bret Gosch said. “We did a lot of good things on defense. But we had a couple of breakdowns that allowed them to take that 14-0 lead.”

 

Said two-way senior lineman Seth Hackney: “It seemed once we got momentum, we would do something to take it away. Our defense bent but didn’t break for most of the game.”

 

“And, of course, a lot of the credit for the Webb City victory goes to its defense,” Gosch said.

 

Cardinals coach John Roderique was happy with the victory despite any mistakes.

Carl Junction's Reilly Hughes (86) defends the pass against Alan Pink (12) of the Cardinals

(Joplin Globe Photo)

 

 

“We weren’t perfect,” he said of their overall effort. “But the bottom line is that the kids put themselves in position to have some success.

 

“What a great job by our defense ... six points against that team — a good offensive team — I’ll take it.”

 

Said Webb City defensive coordinator Mike Smith: “Porath was outstanding. He got away several times. But overall, I thought we did a decent job against him. Our kids heard his name in practice more than they wanted this week.”

 

Kyle’s scoring runs in the second quarter covered 60 and 10 yards.

 

“That was a busted play,” Kyle said of the first TD that came on the first play of the period. “It should have been a passing play.”

 

Kyle, seemingly hemmed in for a short gain, cut back to the left and raced down the left sideline.

Webb City, which finished with an advantage of 445-253 in yards, scored in the third quarter on Andrew Smith’s 41-yard run and Kyle’s 17-yard pass to Zerkel.

 

Porath’s 2-yard run — capping an 80-yard march that was keyed by his rushes — came early in the fourth period.

 

The Bulldogs’ short kickoff then was fumbled to give Carl Junction possession at the Webb City 31. But the Cardinals picked off a pass on fourth-and-6 to halt the Bulldogs’ drive.

 

NOTES:  Zach Waranch and Martin DeCarlo had fumble recoveries for the Bulldogs..... Porath and Joey Braeckel had interception returns of 32 and 11 yards, respectively..... Aaron Cervin finished his high school career with a game-high 13 tackles and a blocked PAT kick..... Porath added 12 tackles to his outstanding all-around performance..... Braeckel was the leading receiver for the Bulldogs with 44 yards on 4 receptions..... Gosch finished with 7 for 17 passing for 83 yards and two interceptions thrown