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By Calen VanNess (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
To the people of Ava, there is nothing better than watching a Friday night battle between their beloved Bears and their archrivals the Mountain Grove Panthers, especially when the Class 2, District 3 championship is on the line. For Mountain Grove (7-5), a district championship win after an uncharacteristic up-and-down season, and avenging an early season loss to the Bears, would be the sweetest victory yet.
After a tight battle in the first half, the Bears (12-0) pulled away behind a dominant running game and a stout defense to rout the Panthers 32-6 in front of a packed stadium in Ava on Friday night.
With Ava leading 14-6, the play of the game came in the third quarter when Ava’s junior quarterback Caleb Johnson had his only completion of the night on an eight-yard screen pass to senior running back Quincy McDonald on fourth-and-eight from Mountain Grove’s 33-yardline. Four plays later senior running back Connor Moran ran in a four-yard touchdown that widened the lead to 20-6.
Ava coach Dan Swofford praised his team for the impressive performance against a gritty Panther team.
“Our boys came out ready to play,” said Swofford. “I knew before the game started that they had their game faces on and were ready to take care of business. I knew [Mountain Grove] would come ready to play, too, and they did. It was a great game, and we were fortunate to come out with a win.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Ava’s running attack was nearly unstoppable behind Johnson, McDonald, Moran, and junior running back Stephen Copeland. They rushed for a combined 395 yards and had a remarkable 7.5 yards per carry in the win. They also rushed for five touchdowns with Copeland and Johnson each scoring twice.
“That’s what makes our offense so good,” said Swofford. “You can’t just focus on one guy, and that makes all the difference in the game.”
McDonald led the quartet with 172 yards on 18 carries, but he did not take the credit, however.
“It’s all because of the offensive line,” said McDonald. “They all work really well together, and everything goes to them. They have really worked hard this year.”
After scoring a quick touchdown on a one-yard run by Johnson that put the Bears up 6-0 early in the first quarter, Mountain Grove marched down the field and put together a 15-play drive that ended with a fourth down touchdown pass from senior quarterback Carter Otwell to senior tight end Gavin Veach that tied the game at 6-6.
The Panthers were never able to put together another drive that produced points. It is the seventh time this season in which Ava has allowed six or fewer points in a game.
Swofford knows this season has been something special for his Bears team.
“It has been great,” said Swofford. “We are 12-0. These boys have done nothing but fight, battle, and prepare, and they do that every week. The same process and the same grind, and they have had a good spirit about them and have had a good time doing it. These boys know how to work hard, and it’s all about what they do and what they are willing to take. They are coachable, and you just don’t get that combination very often.”
Copeland added the exclamation point by punching the ball into the end zone from seven yards out with 1:30 remaining in the game that stretched Ava’s lead to 32-6.
Otwell led the offense for the Panthers by going 9-16 for 137 yards through the air. He had a passing touchdown and an interception in the game.
Swofford knows that their next game against Lamar will be a difficult contest for his Bears, but he knows his team will be ready for the challenge.
“They have a great program, great team, and a great coach,” said Swofford. “We are just going to show up and play football.”
But for one night, the Bears and their fans get to celebrate a district championship that was a long time coming. Johnson succinctly summed up how it felt.
“It’s awesome.”
Mountain Grove 6, Ava 32
Mountain Grove 6 0 0 0
Ava 6 8 6 12
First Quarter
Ava – Johnson 1 run (kick failed)
Mountain Grove – Veach 9 catch from Otwell (kick failed)
Second Quarter
Ava – Copeland 5 run (Copeland run)
Third Quarter
Ava – Moran 4 run (2-point try failed)
Fourth Quarter
Ava – Johnson 9 run (kick failed)
Ava – Copeland 7 run (2-point try failed)
