Something bad finally happened to the Nixa Eagles.
In the opening offensive series, Nixa committed its first turnover of the season.
The early miscue only delayed the inevitable.
Nixa showcased its dominance in a 48-13 homecoming victory over Kickapoo on Thursday night. The Eagles (6-0, No. 3-ranked in Class 6 state poll) have won all six of their games by 20 or more points.
While the schedule lightens up this month, the Eagles’ focus remains strong.
“One of the things we talk about is, ‘We should play to our standard: fast, tough, hard and physical,’” said Nixa coach John Perry. “It doesn’t matter who we play. The opponent is irrelevant. How we play is on us.
“What we’re chasing is bigger than a win on Thursday night.”
Eagles senior running back Dylan Rebura had a short but productive night, rushing for 116 yards and four touchdowns in just over two quarters of action.
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“He probably doesn’t get enough credit because everyone talks about the offensive line in front of him, but if you watch the film, he’s so hard and so tough,” Perry said. “The yards after contact are unbelievable. He’s fantastic. We love him.”
Rebura surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season in the win, putting him about halfway to Nixa’s single-season rushing record. His 21 touchdowns on the season put him even closer to another team record.
“That’s what I’m planning to do,” Rebura said of the record chase. “I like my offensive line. I’m hard to tackle. Once I get past that line, I’m hard to bring down.”
Nixa senior receiver Keivon Flint got the scoring barrage started when he took a jet sweep toss around the right side for a 90-yard touchdown early in the first quarter.
The Eagles piled on four more touchdowns before Kickapoo finally got on the board with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Ben Johnson to tight end Brody Wilson.
The Eagles responded right away. On their next offensive play, Nixa quarterback Adam McKnight hit Wyatt Vincent for a 61-yard touchdown pass. Nixa led 41-6 at halftime.
“We have that run game, but when we throw, we’ve got the players to do it,” Flint said. “We can make big plays for sure.”
Nixa’s receiving corps had a low key but highly efficient night. Flint led the Eagles with three catches for 129 yards and a touchdown.
McKnight threw for 263 yards and a pair of scores on just six completions.
Perry said Nixa’s run-pass balance is often skewed due to defenses not wanting to get beat over the top.
“We have to do what (the defense) tells us to do,” Perry said. “If they play with two safeties high, they’re not going to be able to stop the run, so we’re going to run it. That’s football 101.”
Nixa’s first turnover of the season occurred on a fake punt attempt in its own territory.
“I’m going to be honest with you: I don’t know if I’m going to count that as a turnover,” Perry said. “It was a defensive guy on a special teams play. I almost hate to put that on us, but it was a good hit by their guy and he knocked the ball loose. That’s something we’ll need to do a better job with.”
Said Flint: “It was a couple of silly mistakes early, but we got back on the right path and played Nixa Football. That’s what we do.”
Johnson finished 11-for-22 for 108 yards and two touchdowns for the Chiefs. Running back Nick Lipari rushed for a team-high 52 yards.
Nixa will travel to Waynesville (0-5 overall) next Friday night. Kickapoo (2-4 overall) hosts Lebanon.
Nixa 48, Kickapoo 13
Kickapoo 0 6 0 7 — 13
Nixa 14 27 7 0 — 48
First quarter
Nixa – Flint 90 catch from McKnight (Kahmke kick)
Nixa – Rebura 1 run (Kahmke kick)
Second quarter
Nixa – Rebura 17 run (Kahmke kick)
Nixa – Rebura 10 run (Kahmke kick)
Nixa – McKnight 1 run (kick failed)
Kickapoo – Wilson 22 catch from Johnson (kick blocked)
Nixa – Vincent 61 catch from McKnight (Kahmke kick)
Third quarter
Nixa – Rebura 4 run (Kahmke kick)
Fourth quarter
Kickapoo – Hill 20 catch from Johnson (Bartels kick)
STAT LEADERS (Unofficial)
Kickapoo passing: Johnson 11/22, 108 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Nixa passing: McKnight 6/8, 263 yards, 2 TDs
Kickapoo rushing: Lipari 7/52; Johnson 9/35
Nixa rushing: Rebura 15/116, 4 TDs
Kickapoo receiving: Christian 5/45; Wilson 1/22, 1 TD
Nixa receiving: Flint 3/129, 1 TD; Vincent 1/61, 1 TD; Johnson 1/49
