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By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
In a game that was hyped as what could be a changing of the guard in southwest Missouri, it was yet another classic Webb City defensive performance.
Following a competitive first half, the Cardinals defense pitched a scoreless second half, leading Webb City to a 27-12 season-opening win over Carl Junction Friday at Cardinal Stadium.
“I’m really not sure what changed,” said Webb City coach John Roderique. “It was really one of those things where defensively you look at what they’re doing and try to put guys in better positions. If you can’t stop them from doing what they’re doing well they’re going to continue to do it so we had to find a way to stop or slow down what they had been doing and force them to try something else. I thought our guys did a great job on defense tonight.
The second half started with a Durand Henderson 73-yard touchdown run on the third play from scrimmage, from there Webb City’s defense settled in.
The Cardinals limited Carl Junction to 268 yards, 80 of which came on an impressive touchdown run by junior quarterback Joe Kennedy in the first half.
Kennedy rushed for 97 yards to go along with 117 passing yards. He was responsible for both of Carl Junction’s scores.
Rayquion Weston, who rushed for 1,643 yards last year, was held to just 25 yards on 11 carries.
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Carl Junction didn’t do itself any favors, turning the ball over four times compared to just one turnover by Webb City.
Jordon Rogers, Cade Beason, Brenyn Surber and Terrell Kabala all recorded interceptions on Friday night. Junior defensive end Elijah Robinson continued to build on a tremendous offseason with a pair of sacks.
Weston forced and recovered a fumble for Carl Junction in the first quarter, making the most out of the limited series the star running back received defensively.
Usually known for the success of the split back veer, it was Webb City’s passing game that blew things open Friday night.
Senior quarterback Cash Link found junior receiver Alex Gaskill several times for big gains, helping to soften a Carl Junction defense that often lined up eight or nine guys inside the box.
Link completed six of his 10 passes for a career-high 167 yards. Gaskill finished with five receptions for a career-high 165 yards and a touchdown, including a #SCTop10 toe-touch grab along the sideline that set up a Henderson touchdown.
Gaskill’s lone touchdown came on a 90-yard play that sucked all of the momentum from Carl Junction’s sideline for the time being.
On a night where Webb City struggled to sustain drives offensively, it was big plays – especially in the passing game – that was able to help them survive.
“We hit a couple of big plays on the offensive side but we don’t feel very good about ourselves offensively,” said Roderique. “We never got in synch on offense, especially in the first half. We have some work to do on the offensive side for sure.”
Henderson did rush for 137 yards and three scores, giving the junior back his fourth consecutive 100-yard game dating back to last season.
“He’s a tough kid; I love Durand,” said Roderique. “He runs hard, he has great speed and I’m just glad he plays for us.”
While the Cardinals were pleased to start the season with a win, specifically with one over a conference and district rival, Roderique was less than pleased with the lack of consistency from his offense.
With another showdown looming next week, a trip to see defending COC Large champion Carthage, the legendary Webb City coach knows his Cardinals have some tightening up to do entering next Friday.
“We felt really good about ourselves after last week and it’s a little bit less the case now,” said Roderique. “We’ll get to work and try to get better. You look at a year ago where we started the season and where we finished and that kind of progress is what you want. If you’re as good a football team in Week 1 as you’re going to be that’s not a good thing. Hopefully we can grow and continue to develop.”
Webb City will visit Carthage next week. Carl Junction will travel to Republic.
