By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cherryroad.com

For the first time since 2016, the Barry County Brawl trophy will not be displayed in Cassville’s trophy case, as the Wildcats fell on the road to the Cubs on Friday, 27-10.

Monett punted on its initial possession, but the Wildcats (4-5) fumbled on their opening play, giving Monett the ball at the 30.

The Cubs then went to their bag of tricks, using the Wildcat Formation as Joshua Harvey threw to Ian Hildebrand for a 30-yard touchdown strike on the ensuing play. The 2-point conversion failed, putting Cassville down 6-0 with 9:27 left in the first.

The Wildcats’ next drive ended with an interception, as Cassville’s bag of tricks produced a pitch and Garrett Ewing pass to quarterback Bodee Rose, but the 

ball was picked off. From there, both teams’ offenses sputtered to move the ball, as the defensive units forced a quartet of punts.

Monett then found a rhythm and went 80 yards on seven plays, capped by the Cubs quarterback’s 49-yard touchdown run.

Where Monett found a rhythm, Cassville found a discord, plagued by penalties and suffering from less-than-ideal field position.

Another interception set Monett up at the Wildcats’ 25, and three plays later, another quarterback keeper moved the deficit to 20-0 at intermission.

Cassville put a drive together in the third quarter, marching all the way to the 2-yard line, but a Rose keeper was stuffed a yard short on fourth-and-goal.

The Wildcats again threatened at the end of the third, facing a third-and-3 at the 9-yard line. They settled for a 27-yard field goal from Peter Littlefield.

Monett added to the score with a 17-yard touchdown pass with 6:36 left in the game, and the Wildcats’ only trip to paydirt came on a 27-yard snag by Hernan Hernandez with 4:42 left to play.

Cassville will now await its next district opening opponent designation.