Wildcats fall short in comeback; Brawl on Friday
By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
The Cassville football team wanted just a couple more minutes on the clock Friday, but time ran out in the middle of a comeback effort against Nevada, resulting in a 27-22 loss.
Clay Weldy, Cassville football coach, said an inability to finish and Nevada’s ability to melt the clock were the biggest contributors to the result.
“In the first, we had a lot of missed tackles,” he said. “They have a good offense and are physical up front, but we missed many opportunities to tackle for a loss or a minor gain. They also really know how to melt the clock. We only had two real possessions in the first half and were not as efficient offensively as we needed to be.
“In the fourth quarter, we didn’t hurt ourselves like earlier with little miscues like missed blocks or penalties. [Colton Roark] had a few big receptions, and we ran the ball well, but we ran out of time.”
The Wildcats (2-5) gave up the first score of the contest nearly 4 minutes in, a 36-yard double handoff reverse the defense failed to pick up on.
Cassville had to punt on its first drive, but it held the Tigers to a turnover on downs — stopping another double handoff reverse attempt for a loss of 4 yards — at the end of the first quarter, down 8-0.
Taking over at their own 16 after Riley James broke up a pass into the end zone, the Wildcats followed runs by Bodee Rose, Easton Hughes and Kyle Bailey to a 1-yard touchdown run that took nearly 8 minutes off the clock.
After a Diego Haros touchback, Nevada had two touchdowns, runs of 70 and 80 yards, called back for holding in back-to-back plays. However, Nevada overcame the challenge and went 80 yards in about 3 minutes, scoring on a 2-yard run.
The Wildcats tried to add to their total in the seconds remaining, with Roark catching a long pass but being tackled at about the 20-yard line as time expired.
In the third quarter, Cassville punted on its first drive, and Nevada scored on a 41-yard run to go up 20-7. After a Wildcats turnover on downs, Nevada added another short run for score with 9:50 to play.
Cassville then went on a 70-yard drive, with Kyle Bailey converting on a fourth-and-3 and Roark catching a ball in the corner of the end zone on fourth 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 2017-2021. 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.
