The Cassville cross country program hosted its annual Pink Out Invitational on Oct. 8 at the Cassville Aquatic Center Parkl, with 28 total schools participating in the high school and middle school divisions.
The Wildcats ran to fourth place in the high school boys division, just behind Lamar for third. Carl Junction won the event, with McDonald County taking second.
The Lady Wildcats had four runners finish, meaning they did not qualify for a team placement.
At the middle school level, Cassville shined in the boys and girls races. Led by Dade Zajac, Jaxen Anderson and Nathan Lyons taking fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, the Wildcats as a team took top honors in the middle school division in a field of 10 teams.
The Lady Wildcats middle school runners took second place as a team, falling 10 points behind Monett.
“We had a great turnout, and our runners ran great,” said Erin Flehmer, Cassville XC assistant coach.
Individual results, with medals going to the top 25,
Cassville’s Jacob Hudson fights off a late charge by Monett’s Henry Perez to take eighth place at the Cassville Pink Out Cross Country Invitational on Oct. 8. Kyle Troutman/ ktroutman@ cassville-democrat. com down to bring the score to 27-15 for Nevada.
The Wildcats then held Nevada on downs and took over at their own 44-yard line.
A pass interference call on a hook and ladder Barrientos pass to Roark moved the ball across midfield. Three more pass attempts into the end zone later, Roark brought down an 18-yard toss to provide the final scoreline.
With just 44.1 seconds left on the clock, Roark chipped an onside kick over the Tigers’ returners, but it bounced off the Cassville hands team’s hands and covered by Nevada, allowing the visitors to kneel out the clock.
Weldy said the week leading up to the game, the Wildcats put a focus on Nevada’s clock management abilities.
“We talked all week about their pace,” Weldy said. “We are two running teams, and we had less possessions than normal because of how efficient their offense is at melting the clock.
“We’ve played some really good teams this season. Five of the seven teams we’ve played have been state ranked, but I’m proud of the kids for battling and believing. They didn’t quit.”
Senior Hunter Morse — who led the defense with 8 tackles — said despite Cassville playing hard and playing well at home, the factors didn’t fall into place.
“We played hard, but they got their 3 yards often, and we didn’t get many big stops,” he said. “it was definitely a rush in the fourth when we scored because we thought if we could just get the onside kick, we’d have a chance for a win on Homecoming night.”
The third straight loss for the Wildcats, Morse said the anticipation for Friday’s Barry County Brawl against Monett (2-5) is as high as it gets.
“I’ve been looking forward to this game all year,” Morse said. “There’s a little bit of pressure with the trophy at stake, but we’re ready to take it back home. We’ll definitely have to work our coverage behind the line more and keep our feet solid in case they decide to run the ball.”
Weldy said given the history between the squads, he expects Cassville to be on the ball.
“There’s no reason for anybody not to be motivated,” Weldy said. “We know Monett and will be ready. But, they’ve been throwing the ball all year, so it will be a game very opposite from [Nevada].”
The Brawl trophy has spent extended time at Cassville and at Monett, with the Cubs keeping it from 2014-2016, then Cassville taking 20172021. Monett took it back in 2022, and Cassville returned the favor last season with a 42-7 victory at home. All-time, Cassville is 12-7 over Monett.
Both the Wildcats and Cubs defeated McDonald County, and both lost to Seneca and Nevada. Cassville bested Lamar, who beat Monett, and the Cubs defeated East Newton, who topped Cassville. Monett lost to Aurora, who Cassville plays in Week 9, and Cassville lost to Mt. Vernon, the Cubs’ season finale opponent.
Cassville averages 21.3 points per game to Monett’s 24.9, but the Wildcats have allowed 30.4 points per game to the Cubs’ 43 even.
If the weather forecast holds, it will be the coldest game of the season, with temps in the upper 40s to lower 50s.
Against Nevada, Cassville picked up 169 yards on the ground and 113 through the air while allowing 283 yards rushing and 45 passing.
Rose was 7-for-12 through the air for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns, adding 63 yards on the ground on 13 attempts.
Bailey rushed 11 times for 52 yards, and Hughes rushed 6 times for 33 yards. Roark caught 5 passes for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns, adding 212 yards on the ground on 7 attempts.
Defensively, Morse had 8 tackles and 4 assists, including a tackle for loss; Hughes had 5 tackles and 2 assists; and Tristan Thompson had 2 tackles and 7 assists.
Kickoff on Friday in Cassville against Monett in the Barry County Brawl is set for 7 p.m.
