By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Reeds Spring Wolves never trailed in Friday night’s contest at Logan-Rogersville. But for three quarters, they had nothing to show for it: The scoreboard read 0-0.
Over the final 12 minutes, frustration turned into motivation.
“It felt like nothing was really going our way until there at the end,” said Reeds Spring senior and two-way starter (OL/LB), Lucas Wattenbarger. “But we grinded through it. That’s our motto this year: Grind out. That’s what we did.”
The Wolves won 8-0 over Logan-Rogersville in a defensive battle against their former conference rivals.
Reeds Spring senior wide receiver Nathan Mitchell had the game’s lone score on an 8-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
Two plays earlier on the same drive, Mitchell had a rushing touchdown called back due to a holding penalty. He scored again on a similar, penalty-free play.
“It was a sweep to the right and I had blockers in front of me. I just punched it in,” Mitchell said. “We had great blocking on the play.”
From there, Reeds Spring’s defense finished off a dominating night. The Wolves didn’t allow a first down on any of Logan-Rogersville’s final three possessions.
“It seemed like we found an extra gear in that fourth quarter on both sides of the ball,” said Reeds Spring coach Travis Cagle. “I think that was the difference in the game tonight.”
Defense was the central theme in the season opener for both teams. Of the 20 offensive series in the game, nine ended in a turnover on downs.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Logan-Rogersville, which alternated junior Sam Frieze and freshman Kasimir Manczuk at quarterback throughout the game, finished with less than 200 yards of total offense.
Reeds Spring eclipsed 200 yards rushing as a team. Senior running back Jace Bolin had a game-high 111 yards on 21 carries.
“(Logan-Rogersville) figured out how to clog up the middle and they took away a lot of the stuff we were trying to do outside,” Cagle said. “Like the players said, we just had to grind it out. Toward the end of the game, I think our conditioning helped us a lot.”
Both teams had good scoring opportunities in the first half but came up dry. Reeds Spring reached the Logan-Rogersville 5-yard line early in the second quarter but had a touchdown on a trick play negated due to an illegal formation. They would give the ball up on downs.
Later, Logan-Rogersville had a goal-to-go scenario, but the promising series fizzled out on downs.
Reeds Spring has won three in a row over Logan-Rogersville dating back to the 2022 season.
Friday’s outcome also marks the first career victory for Cagle, a longtime assistant coach and defensive coordinator who previously served on staffs at Parkview, Branson and Reeds Spring.
“You learn from everybody you coach with. I learned from Anthony (Hays) at Parkview and Branson. I learned from Andy (McFarland) here at Reeds Spring, I learned from Wes Beachler, who was my first head coach,” Cagle said. “You have to find that place that suits your personality and also has the kids who suit your personality.
“When I got this opportunity, I did not hesitate. It’s all from the people I worked under that got me to this position.”
Reeds Spring, now a member of the Mid-Lakes Conference, returns home next Friday to face another former conference foe: Marshfield.
Logan-Rogersville, which is in the newly formed Ozark Mountain Conference, plays at Ava.
Reeds Spring 8, Logan-Rogersville 0
Reeds Spring 0 0 0 8 — 8
Logan-Rogersville 0 0 0 0 — 0
Fourth quarter
Reeds Spring – Mitchell 8 run (Fish run for 2-point conversion)
STAT LEADERS (unofficial)
Passing
• Reeds Spring: Tyson Porter 3/8, 35 yards
• Logan-Rogersville: Sam Frieze 5/12, 41 yards; Kasimir Manczuk 4/15, 38 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
• Reeds Spring: Jace Bolin 21/111; Nathan Mithcell 10/35; Keagon Fish 14/44
• Logan-Rogersville: Jacob Shinkarevich 10/43; Gage Hale 4/29
Receiving
• Reeds Spring: Mitchell 1/10
• Logan-Rogersville: Lucas White 3/37
Defense
• Reeds Spring: 3 sacks
• Logan-Rogersville: 3 sacks
