While the graduation of all-state kicker Logan Tyler left Nixa with plenty of questions, it appears Nixa’s kicking game is alive and well.
Sophomore Sean Sample had an impressive debut Friday night, connecting on field goals from 26 and 30 yards to help the Eagles down Willard 19-13.
Nixa didn’t waste time getting its new kicker an opportunity, either.
After Willard’s opening drive stalled, the Eagles capitalized on a short punt and drove the ball deep into Tiger territory.
Facing fourth-and-goal from the eight, Nixa head coach Richard Rehagen called for the field goal unit.
“I didn’t think Coach would even let me kick one,” Sample said. “After I got out there, I was pretty nervous, but I was just happy it went through the posts.”
Rehagen was pleased with Sample’s performance.
“I had Shelby Harris for three years and then Logan for three,” Rehagen said. “Boy, I’ve had some good kickers, but Sean did a good job tonight. Being able to get points when you’re stalling out is really important. He did a nice job tonight.”
Behind Sample’s kicking and solid line play on both sides of the ball, Nixa was able slowly wear down the Tigers over the first three quarters. Senior running back Nicos Oropeza turned in a workmanlike performance, netting 126 yards on 21 carries.
Oropeza’s 54-yard burst down the sideline in the second quarter helped break the game open for the Eagles, and his persistence during long, second-half drives helped keep Willard’s offense on the sidelines.
“Willard has a lot of big guys,” Oropeza said. “They’re aggressive and strong, but I’m super proud of my line. When we got the ball early in the second half, we knew we had to go score. Something just clicked, and we started moving, moving and moving.”
Nixa’s 69-yard opening drive in the second half was capped by a Hayden Young 2-yard plunge into the end zone. Sample’s fourth-quarter field goal then pushed the Nixa lead to 19-0.
Willard’s offense, which had been struggling with miscues and penalties for most of the game, suddenly came to life late in the quarter.
Quarterback Quentin Batson connected with Kenny Chambers for 34- and 79-yard scores to cut the lead to six.
An onside kick recovery in the final minute gave the Tigers one final opportunity, but defensive pressure and a series of penalties turned away the furious comeback attempt.
Despite the loss, Willard and coach Brock Roweton were able to take home several positives.
“Our defense did a fantastic job,” Roweton said. “Really played well all night. What is so gritty about those guys is that entire defensive line plays on the offensive line, too.”
With a new quarterback in Batson, Roweton also indicated his offense would take some time to get all the kinks worked out.
“The whole first half, it seemed like we had two or three first-down holding calls that ended drives before we were able to get things going,” Roweton said. “We just kept having little mishaps that ended drives, but I’m really proud of everybody overall, and our defense kept us in the game to the point where, when we finally did get going, hey … we had a shot.”
Both teams are on the road for week two matchups. Nixa (1-0) travels to Branson, while Willard (0-1) heads to Bolivar
Nixa – 19, Willard – 13
Nixa 3 7 0 0 — 19 Willard 0 0 0 13 — 13 First quarter scoring Nixa Sean Sample 26-yd FG 3 – 0
Second quarter scoring Nixa Nicos Oropeza 54-yd rush TD (Sample kick) 10 – 0
Third quarter scoring Nixa Hayden Young 2-yd rush TD (Conversion Failed) 16 – 0
Fourth quarter scoring Nixa Sample 30-yd FG 19 – 0 Willard Kenny Chambers 34-yd TD Rec (Conversion Failed) 19 – 6 Willard Chambers 79-yd TD Rec (Dakota Mainprize kick) 19 – 13
