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The look on their
faces after the game said it all. This team had just
battled the number one-ranked team in the state and knew how
close they had came.
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Seth Hackney (74)
puts pressure on the Webb City quarterback
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Webb
City defeated the Bulldogs 28-6 to win Class 4
District 12 and advance to the state playoffs, but
had to count on three long runs in the second and
third quarters to come out on top.
On
this night, the Cardinals had all they could handle
and both teams' starting units remained on the field
until the game's final series. In fact, Webb
City recognized the threat of a fourth quarter rally
by the talented Bulldogs as the Cardinals twice went
for it on fourth down in their own territory hoping
to avoid giving the ball back to the Bulldogs.
But
the Bulldogs defense, up to the test all night but
for a few breakdowns, stopped the Cardinals not once
but twice on fourth downs to put the ball back into
the hands of their offense.
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Carl Junction
moved the ball inside their opponents' 20-yard line several
times throughout the evening, but could only punch the ball into
the end zone once on a 2-yard dive by running back Zak Porath.
Porath finished
with 178 yards rushing on 28 attempts.
The stadium was
nearly full an hour before the game. An estimated 6,500
fans eventually survived the lengthy senior night festivities at
Cardinals Stadium, and the highly-anticipated battle between one
of the most decorated Class 4 teams in the state and their
neighbor to the west was underway.
Both teams were
entering the contest with identical 2-0 district records, but
the Bulldogs were the surprise of the season having won a share
of the Big 8 Conference title, sporting an overall 8-1 record
and just missing being ranked in the Top 10 state rankings for
the fourth consecutive week. The Bulldogs were 2-8 last
season and were taking the field again after a remarkable
turnaround.
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The
Bulldogs punted after only three offensive plays,
but then forced Webb City into a third and 33
situation on the Cardinals' possession. Porath
stepped in front of Webb City quarterback Mack
Kyle's fourth down pass, returning it down the
sideline and putting the Bulldogs back in business.
Carl
Junction nearly struck for the game's first score,
with Porath carrying for 24 yards to the Webb City
8-yard line. But the Bulldogs could get no
closer than the 5 and subsequently missed a 22-yard
field goal.
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Cade Gosch carries
the ball against Webb City
(Joplin Globe
Photo)
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The game remained
scoreless thru the first quarter, but Kyle scored on a 60-yard
quarterback keeper on the first play of the second quarter to
put Webb City up 7-0.
Kyle scored again
prior to halftime on a 10-yard run, giving the Cardinals a 14-0
halftime lead.
Andrew Smith
scored on a 41-yard touchdown run for Webb City in the third
quarter and Landon Zerkel scored on a 17-yard touchdown pass
from Kyle to put the Cardinals ahead 28-0 after three quarters.
Carl Junction had
three takeaways in the first half, including the interception by
Porath and another by Joey Braeckel.
After Porath's
touchdown, Webb City fumbled the ensuing pooch kick and Zach
Waranch recovered the loose ball. The Bulldogs, however,
couldn't put together another complete drive and failed to score
again.
As fans gathered
around the Bulldogs players after the game, emotions ran high.
Seniors were choked up, recognizing they had played their last
game in a Bulldogs football uniform.
Coach Gosch hugged
his son, Cade, and shared a few words of encouragement as
privately as possible. This team had finished their
impressive season, finishing 8-2 and completing several team
goals.
They'll hang
another Big 8 championship banner on the walls of the school and
they set the bar higher for future Bulldogs teams.
When asked how he
felt after the game, Cade Gosch simply replied, "I'm tired."
Well Cade, here's
a message to you and your teammates. You've worked hard
for the past 365 days so that you could give it your best
tonight. It's okay now, go ahead and take a day off and
thanks for giving us, the fans, a season to remember and a team
to be proud of.
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