By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Kickapoo Chiefs dealt with a “trifecta” of distractions this week: homecoming events, rival opponent and a rare Thursday night contest.
In the late stages of a close game versus Glendale, the Chiefs faced much more significant adversity: Injuries to their starting quarterback and running back.
Enter Ben Johnson and Noah Harrell.
The senior tandem made it a happy homecoming for the Chiefs, as Kickapoo dominated the fourth quarter and beat Glendale 27-14.
Johnson and Harrell, who began the game as reserves and finished it as closers, combined for 142 rushing yards and a touchdown to lift the Chiefs.
“They went in there and did an unbelievable job of running the rock for us,” said Kickapoo coach Nate Thomas. “Glendale was putting more guys in the box than we could block, so we had to go with some quarterback run game and (Johnson) did an unbelievable job for us in the second half.”
Out of precaution, Chiefs starters Brooks Eaton (QB) and Nick Lipari (RB) were limited in the second half due to injury concerns.
Johnson and Harrell filled in well as Kickapoo shifted to a ground-and-pound offense.
“It just goes back to our practices,” Harrell said. “We go out, practice, and know what we need to do when we’re in there. We have to be ready at any time, any snap.”
Johnson had spot duty as a JV running back last season, which prepared him for a busy second half on Thursday.
“I got used to running behind some big linemen,” Johnson said. “I was ready tonight.”
Johnson’s 1-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter put the Chiefs up by two scores.
Special teams were key, too.
The Falcons missed two field goals. Kickapoo’s kicker, senior and co-captain Andrew Bartels, went 2-for-2.
Bartels also contributed to the game’s pivotal play late in the third quarter.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
With Kickapoo trailing 14-10, Bartels’ punt was muffed inside the Glendale 20. The Chiefs recovered and scored three plays later – a touchdown pass to tight end Brody Wilson.
Bartels is helping Kickapoo continue its recent kicking lineage. Former Chiefs like Nick Quadrini (Mizzou) and Pryce Brown (Pittsburg State) are now kicking for high-level college programs.
“Those guys were huge weapons for us,” Thomas said. “We knew that (Bartels) just needed a little bit of time to develop. He’s 3-for-3 on field goals the past two weeks and has made some unbelievable punts. He’s come up big, no doubt.”
The muffed punt proved to be a pivotal blow for Glendale’s upset hopes. The Falcons went three-and-out and had a turnover on downs on their next two drives.
Falcons senior running back Jayln Lockett had a strong performance in the loss, rushing for 142 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
Glendale pulled ahead at the start of the second half. The Falcons scored on a nine-play, 46-yard drive capped by quarterback Cash Newberry’s 3-yard touchdown run.
“We knew that Glendale’s skill players are really, really good,” Thomas said. “They did a good job of getting them in space. We told our guys we’d have to weather the storm a bit.”
Eaton, who was Kickapoo’s primary quarterback for three quarters, finished 11-for-15 for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
Thursday’s victory marks three straight wins for the Chiefs over their southside rivals. Entering the game, the Falcons hadn’t scored a touchdown against Kickapoo since the 2021 meeting.
“For as long as I’ve been here, this rivalry has been crazy,” Johnson said. “Twitter’s going crazy, Snapchat’s going crazy. It’s all about this game. The student sections are ginormous. It means a lot to this city, too.”
Kickapoo (2-3) travels to No. 3-ranked (Class 6) and undefeated Nixa next Friday. Glendale (0-5), still seeking its first win, will host Waynesville.
Kickapoo 27, Glendale 14
Glendale 0 7 7 0 — 14
Kickapoo 7 3 0 17 — 27
First quarter
Kickapoo – Prost 9 catch from Eaton (Bartels kick)
Second quarter
Glendale – Lockett 43 run (Heman kick)
Kickapoo – Bartels 30 kick
Third quarter
Glendale – Newberry 3 run (Heman kick)
Fourth quarter
Kickapoo – Wilson 10 catch from Eaton (Bartels kick)
Kickapoo – Johnson 1 run (Bartels kick)
Kickapoo – Bartels 20 kick
STAT LEADERS (unofficial)
Glendale passing: Newberry 7/13, 52 yards
Kickapoo passing: Eaton 11/15, 89 yards, 2 TDs
Glendale rushing: Lockett 19/142, 1 TD; Newberry 15/66, 1 TD
Kickapoo rushing: Harrell 11/76; Johnson 8/66, 1 TD
Glendale receiving: Heman 5/34
Kickapoo receiving: Christian 2/60
