Tigers blank Wildcats in season opener
August 23, 2017
Lee Stubblefield
The Lamar Tigers, the perennial Class 2 state champions, ground out a 28-0 victory at Cassville on Friday night. Torrential rains turned the pristine field into a mudhole, and persistent lightning delayed kickoff until 9 p.m. But the Tigers shook off all distractions and took care of business against a greatly improved
Cassville team
Last year, Lamar hung a 50-0 embarrassment on Cassville, the most lopsided score in the now seven-year win streak against the Wildcats. That skein of games includes five shutouts. But despite not scoring, Lance Parnell’s team displayed marked improvement from last year, something that should give the other Big 8 and Class 3 teams pause.
Cassville’s only losses last year were to Lamar and Monett, both State Champions in their respective classes.
“You know I don’t believe in moral victories,” Parnell told his team huddle after the game, reciting a favorite mantra.
It was no victory, but it should serve as a confidence builder for this Cassville team as they prepare to play at Reeds Spring.
Lamar’s reputation and success is built on size, speed and execution. Their sheer physicality overwhelms most opponents. Cassville, noticeably bigger and stronger than in the last few seasons, held its own in the trenches throughout the game.
A year ago, Lamar sprinted to a 44-0 lead at halftime and played the entire second half with reserves. Friday night’s game wasn’t comfortably over until Cooper Lucas broke free on a power sweep for a 69-yard scoring run late in the fourth quarter. The mud-soaked uniforms of both teams evidenced the intensity of the fight.
Although unable to turn the game into a track meet, the Lamar offense controlled the contest. The Tigers only punted once and converted on three fourth down plays, two of them for touchdowns.
After Lamar received the opening kickoff, Lucas opened the scoring with a one-yard plunge with 5:51 on the first-quarter clock. Stuart McKarus ran in for the two-point conversion to create an 8-0 score.
Shannon Haney broke loose on Cassville’s first offensive play for a 37-yard run, but the gain was negated by a momentum-killing penalty. A pass interference call moved the ball to midfield, but Haney punted away on 4th-and-10.
The Tigers manufactured a 16-play, 90-yard scoring drive to claim a 14-0 lead at the 8:31 mark of the second quarter. TW Ayers dove into the endzone on 4th-and-goal from the one-yard line to extend the Lamar lead.
The second half saw more of the same. The Wildcats slowed but could not stop Lamar’s offensive juggernaut, nor could they score against the Tigers.
Cassville managed one first down with the initial possession of the third quarter before Haney launched a 59-yard punt that would outperform any North Korean missile. The Wildcats covered the ball at the Lamar one-yard line.
But the Tigers covered the length of the field in just seven plays. Lucas started the drive with runs of 12 and 43 yards to reach Cassville’s 44-yard line. Speedster Trevor Medlin finished the drive with a dazzling 39-yard run, cutting back against the Cassville secondary on his way to the end zone. McKarus ran in for the PATx2 to give Lamar a 22-0 lead with 7:06 left in the quarter.
Cassville’s last real hope to get back in the game died when Haney was stopped on a fake punt that fooled absolutely no one. The Tigers took over at their own 47-yard line.
Lamar’s only bad miscue of the night cut the ensuing drive short. A bad snap on 1st-and-10 from the Cassville 19-yard line led to a Hunter Bailey fumble recovery with 2:48 on the third-quarter clock.
The Wildcats embarked on their best offensive drive of the night. A blend of Logan Carlin and Haney carries along with timely passes to DJ White and Bowen Preddy moved the ball down to the Lamar 33-yard line. But a crushing holding penalty and a third-down sack forced the Wildcats to punt on 4th-and-23.
The Tigers put the game away, with McKarus breaking free for the longest run of the game, a 69-yard scoring sprint down the Cassville sideline. The PAT was no good, but Lamar had hung the final score of 28-0 on the board.
Lamar’s classy head coach Scott Bailey took time to address the Wildcats after the game, saying “You’ve come a long way from a year ago.”
An exhausted Shannon Haney talked about how tough it is to play against Lamar.
“We focused on trying to win the physical battle,” he said. “You have to hit them in the mouth every play.”
Parnell urged his team to focus on the positives as they prepare to play the Reeds Spring Wolves on Friday night.
“”This loss does not define our season,” he emphasized.
“I saw some really good things tonight. I am proud of your effort. I am proud of your character. Now I want to be proud of how you come back.”
Stats
Lamar rushed for 367 yards. McKarus led the Tigers in rushing with 85 yards on 17 carries. He also threw for 24 yards.
Cassville ran for 159 yards in the contest. Haney led with 86 yards rushing and passed for 28 more.
Despite the poor field conditions, the Lamar bad snap resulted in the game’s only turnover.
The Wildcats (0-1) return to action on Friday night, playing on the road at Reeds Spring (0-1). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Lee Stubblefield
The Lamar Tigers, the perennial Class 2 state champions, ground out a 28-0 victory at Cassville on Friday night. Torrential rains turned the pristine field into a mudhole, and persistent lightning delayed kickoff until 9 p.m. But the Tigers shook off all distractions and took care of business against a greatly improved
Cassville team
Last year, Lamar hung a 50-0 embarrassment on Cassville, the most lopsided score in the now seven-year win streak against the Wildcats. That skein of games includes five shutouts. But despite not scoring, Lance Parnell’s team displayed marked improvement from last year, something that should give the other Big 8 and Class 3 teams pause.
Cassville’s only losses last year were to Lamar and Monett, both State Champions in their respective classes.
“You know I don’t believe in moral victories,” Parnell told his team huddle after the game, reciting a favorite mantra.
It was no victory, but it should serve as a confidence builder for this Cassville team as they prepare to play at Reeds Spring.
Lamar’s reputation and success is built on size, speed and execution. Their sheer physicality overwhelms most opponents. Cassville, noticeably bigger and stronger than in the last few seasons, held its own in the trenches throughout the game.
A year ago, Lamar sprinted to a 44-0 lead at halftime and played the entire second half with reserves. Friday night’s game wasn’t comfortably over until Cooper Lucas broke free on a power sweep for a 69-yard scoring run late in the fourth quarter. The mud-soaked uniforms of both teams evidenced the intensity of the fight.
Although unable to turn the game into a track meet, the Lamar offense controlled the contest. The Tigers only punted once and converted on three fourth down plays, two of them for touchdowns.
After Lamar received the opening kickoff, Lucas opened the scoring with a one-yard plunge with 5:51 on the first-quarter clock. Stuart McKarus ran in for the two-point conversion to create an 8-0 score.
Shannon Haney broke loose on Cassville’s first offensive play for a 37-yard run, but the gain was negated by a momentum-killing penalty. A pass interference call moved the ball to midfield, but Haney punted away on 4th-and-10.
The Tigers manufactured a 16-play, 90-yard scoring drive to claim a 14-0 lead at the 8:31 mark of the second quarter. TW Ayers dove into the endzone on 4th-and-goal from the one-yard line to extend the Lamar lead.
The second half saw more of the same. The Wildcats slowed but could not stop Lamar’s offensive juggernaut, nor could they score against the Tigers.
Cassville managed one first down with the initial possession of the third quarter before Haney launched a 59-yard punt that would outperform any North Korean missile. The Wildcats covered the ball at the Lamar one-yard line.
But the Tigers covered the length of the field in just seven plays. Lucas started the drive with runs of 12 and 43 yards to reach Cassville’s 44-yard line. Speedster Trevor Medlin finished the drive with a dazzling 39-yard run, cutting back against the Cassville secondary on his way to the end zone. McKarus ran in for the PATx2 to give Lamar a 22-0 lead with 7:06 left in the quarter.
Cassville’s last real hope to get back in the game died when Haney was stopped on a fake punt that fooled absolutely no one. The Tigers took over at their own 47-yard line.
Lamar’s only bad miscue of the night cut the ensuing drive short. A bad snap on 1st-and-10 from the Cassville 19-yard line led to a Hunter Bailey fumble recovery with 2:48 on the third-quarter clock.
The Wildcats embarked on their best offensive drive of the night. A blend of Logan Carlin and Haney carries along with timely passes to DJ White and Bowen Preddy moved the ball down to the Lamar 33-yard line. But a crushing holding penalty and a third-down sack forced the Wildcats to punt on 4th-and-23.
The Tigers put the game away, with McKarus breaking free for the longest run of the game, a 69-yard scoring sprint down the Cassville sideline. The PAT was no good, but Lamar had hung the final score of 28-0 on the board.
Lamar’s classy head coach Scott Bailey took time to address the Wildcats after the game, saying “You’ve come a long way from a year ago.”
An exhausted Shannon Haney talked about how tough it is to play against Lamar.
“We focused on trying to win the physical battle,” he said. “You have to hit them in the mouth every play.”
Parnell urged his team to focus on the positives as they prepare to play the Reeds Spring Wolves on Friday night.
“”This loss does not define our season,” he emphasized.
“I saw some really good things tonight. I am proud of your effort. I am proud of your character. Now I want to be proud of how you come back.”
Stats
Lamar rushed for 367 yards. McKarus led the Tigers in rushing with 85 yards on 17 carries. He also threw for 24 yards.
Cassville ran for 159 yards in the contest. Haney led with 86 yards rushing and passed for 28 more.
Despite the poor field conditions, the Lamar bad snap resulted in the game’s only turnover.
The Wildcats (0-1) return to action on Friday night, playing on the road at Reeds Spring (0-1). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
