By DANA HARDING, Branson, MO – While basketball practice is just around the corner, a host of Willard cagers are still busy making noise on the gridiron.
The Tigers downed Branson 28-0 Friday thanks to an all-around defensive effort, an advantageous offense and some key plays from kids who will be wearing shorts and sneakers in another month.
Kenny Chambers, Ethan Burson, Brock Howard and Quintin Batson all delivered in a game punctuated by strong defensive play and opportunistic scoring plays.
Willard head coach Brock Roweton was pleased with what he called the Tigers’ best all-around effort of the season.
“Tonight, we were four quarters of good football,” Roweton said. “That was a lot closer game than a 28-0 ball game, but when we got opportunities, we executed and got points. There was no lapse tonight, either offensively or defensively, and that’s what we’ve been looking for.”
Scoreless through the most of the first half, both teams traded repeated opportunities in a defensive struggle to gain field position.
Branson had the game’s first scoring opportunity.
After quarterback Ryan Still’s 11-play drive brought them all the way to the Willard 3, the Pirates were unable to score on runs from Still and Luke Masters and turned the ball over on downs.
Willard’s defense has long been known for its size and ability to control the line of scrimmage, and a series of key stops certainly showcased that trait. Four times Branson went for it on fourth down, and four times the Willard defense turned the Pirates back. The Tigers also forced five turnovers and held Branson’s offense to 215 total yards.
While the Pirates had opportunities to keep the game in reach, turnovers, miscues and Willard’s smothering defense proved too much to overcome.
“They flew around big time tonight,” Roweton said. “Our team speed looked good, and I want to tip my hat to our defensive line. There was pressure on the QB all night, and that makes covering things a whole lot easier.” Defensive end and basketballer Ethan Burson summed up Willard’s mentality in the trenches. “We came into this game knowing we had a chip on our shoulder,” Burson said. “We really
needed to dig some guys out and get what we needed done. We’re just all in this together, and when everyone does their job, good things are going to happen.”
Good things include basketballer Kenny Chambers stealing the show in the second half with a pair of interceptions and a pick-six return. “Those interceptions like that happen because a kid is able to make a play,” Roweton said. “Kenny’s our playmaker on offense and tonight, he was our playmaker on defense.”
As it turns out, Willard’s playmaker relies just as much on anticipation as he does sheer athletic ability. “Every game I just try to watch the coaches,” Chambers said. “The teams that go off of the plays the coach calls when they’re already lined up, I try to watch them in the first half. I just picked it up and knew what was coming.” While Burson and Chambers helped set the tone with big defensive plays, another pair of hoopsters drove the offense.
Late in the first half, Quintin Batson, who played for Central last season, connected on an 11-yard strike to Brock Howard. In a versatility display, the two flipped the script in the second half.
Howard took a reverse to the outside, lined up and returned the favor to Batson with a 26-yard touchdown pass of his own.
Previously doomed by fourth-quarter letdowns, Roweton hopes to use Friday’s all-around effort as a postseason trigger.
“We’ve been there all season,” Roweton said. “It has to start somewhere, and tonight’s our start. We figured out we could play an entire game of good football, and good things happen.”
Willard finished with 166 yards in the air and 146 yards on the ground. Howard led the Tigers with 74 yards rushing.
Next week is the regular season finale for both teams, and each draws a COC Large opponent. Willard (2-6) hosts Republic, while Branson (2-6) welcomes Webb City.
Willard – 28, Branson – 0
Willard 0 8 14 6 — 28 Branson 0 0 0 0 — 0
Second quarter scoring
Willard Brock Howard 11-yd TD rec from Quintin Batson 8 – 0
(Christian Smart 2pt conversion rush)
Third quarter scoring
Willard Kenny Chambers 33-yd TD interception return 14 – 0
(2pt conversion failed)
Willard Batson 26-yd TD rec from Howard 22 – 0
(Howard 2pt conversion rec from Batson)
Fourth quarter scoring
Willard Austin Hymer 9-yd TD rec from Batson 28 – 0 (PAT missed)
