A focused and determined start to Saturday’s home contest with Hollister developed into a 44-6 win for the Cassville football team in a contest between two young squads learning their lines.
Clay Weldy, Cassville football coach, said he was pleased with the result, and with how his young guns played in the season’s first game.
“They are a young team, as well, so we are a lot of the same,” he said. “Our veterans stepped up, and our young ones played well. We worried a little about preparation with the heat this week, and we gave up a few plays in the second quarter. But, we adjusted at halftime and played well for the rest of the game.”
The Wildcats overcame a pass interference call and two first downs to force a punt into the end zone. Multiple double-digit yard runs from Kyle Bailey, Garrett Ewing and Bryson Jacobson set up Bodee Rose for a 20-yard quarterback keeper to open the scoring.
A touchback on the ensuing kick and three-andout forced the Tigers to punt again, and a mishandled snap allowed the Wildcats to down the punter in the end zone for a safety. Cassville struck quick on its next drive, with Bailey bursting through the middle untouched for a 68-yard score as the first quarter clock wound down.
“Kyle had that long touchdown, and there were a few long runs where no one was touched because of how well we blocked up front,” Weldy said.
Jacobson said he was proud of the young Cassville like for moving Hollister as it did.
“We’ve got some young guys, but they did great,” he said. “They did what the coaches told them and blocked their butts off.”
Hollister’s lone score came in the second quarter, overcoming two fourth downs and penalties to punch in from 4 yards out with 2:36 left in the first half.
The Wildcats took advantage of the clock, with Rose turning in runs of 14 yards, then 38 yards to extend the lead to 23-6 at the break.
Cassville continued the offensive onslaught in the second half, with Jacobson returning the kick to the 36, Rose converting to the Tigers’ 45, then going 40 more yards to the 5, where Jacobson added the fourth touchdown of the day.
After forcing a punt, Bailey and Ewing combined on runs to set up Rose for another 9-yard touchdown run, and a fumble recovery allowed Cassville to push in on the ground again, another 9-yard scamper by Rose.
Cassville finished the third with another fumble recovery, allowing the backups to play the final frame with the turbo clock activated.
Weldy said a highlight of the gam was the Wildcats’ defensive play.
“We have a new defensive coordinator with a new scheme and terminology, so all that considered, we played very well,” he said. “Except for the second quarter and giving up 6 points, if we keep playing like that, we’ve got a chance to win some games this year. We hope to get a few things fixed and get healthy as we look to next week.”
Jacobson said with the game delayed to Saturday due to official shortages, the Wildcats were glad to come out and get a win on the books.
“It feels great to come out and do what we were supposed to do,” he said. “It felt like a long summer, so we were ready to come out and get it.”
Cassville faces its first road test on Friday, heading to Aurora. The Houn’ Dawgs had an experience opposite Cassville last Friday, falling to Seneca on the road, 37-0.
“They are really big across the board,” Weldy said. “They were really physical against Seneca last Friday. They have a good mix of skill guys as well to go with the size. We will have to be really sound on both sides of the ball against them. If we lose discipline against them, their size and athleticism will hurt us.” Being the first away game of the season, Weldy said staying focused and erasing the potential for mistakes will be this week’s mantra.
“We played well on Saturday, but there are several things that we have to clean up this week,” he said. “Our guys know that one win doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, we still have a lot of work to do. Our schedule gets tougher as we go, and this week will be a greater challenge for us than Saturday was. Our goal is to get better each week — one week at a time is how we approach the season. So, last week is in the past, and the only thing that matters now is getting ready for a tough Aurora team.”
Ultimately, Weldy said turnovers and physicality will be keys to Friday’s contest.
“We will have to take care of the football, and create some turnovers, as well,” he said. “We will have to be the more physical team, and that will be a tough chore with them.”
Kickoff on Friday in Aurora is at 7 p.m.
