By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Head coach John Perry shared an anecdote that summarized Nixa’s play calling on Saturday afternoon.
“One time, over the headset, (an assistant coach) said, ‘Man, just keep giving it to the Toothless Wonder,’” Perry said.
That player – Nixa senior running back Dylan Rebura – caused a lot of aches and pains for the Kirkwood defense.
Rebura rushed for over 300 yards and six touchdowns as Nixa rolled to a 56-46 victory in the Class 6 state semifinals.
“Teams always pack the box… but we have the best O-Line in the state and I’m the best running back in the state,” Rebura said. “We’re going to run it down your throat.”
On a day where Nixa only attempted three passes – compared to Kirkwood’s 55 pass attempts – Rebura shouldered the load for the Eagles.
He finished with 35 carries for 316 yards plus the six rushing touchdowns. Eagles quarterback Adam Mcknight added 112 yards on the ground as Nixa pulverized an undersized Pioneers defensive front.
“They were going to put everyone in the box, we knew that, and they were going to try to sell out to stop the run,” Perry said. “We did not think they could. We’ve leaned on our offensive line all year long.”
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Nixa advances to the state championship game for just the second time in program history. The Eagles finished runner-up in their only other finals appearance (2014).
“A lot of people have doubted us. Those people are going to say we don’t play good opponents,” Rebura said. “I think we got the job done today. They’re not going to say anything now because we’re going to the state championship.”
The Eagles (13-0 overall) will play De Smet (11-2 overall) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 at Faurot Field in Columbia.
“It’s a long time in the works,” said Perry, who took over as Nixa’s head coach in 2020 after a 12-year stint in Mississippi. “Our guys have bought-in in the weight room and they’ve gotten bigger and stronger. They believe in themselves.”
Nixa’s offense was nearly unstoppable on Saturday. The Eagles scored touchdowns on seven of their eight offensive possessions.
But it was the Eagles’ defense that delivered the game’s pivotal play.
Late in the first half, with Kirkwood looking to make it a one-score game before halftime, Eagles cornerback Randy Flint intercepted a bobbled ball and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown.
“As a kid, you grow up wanting a play like that to happen,” Flint said. “It felt great, especially with this atmosphere and this whole place being full. No better feeling getting in that endzone, especially on defense.
“I was just trying not to drop it. I was worried about catching it first. As soon as I saw an open field, I knew I was gone.”
Instead of Kirkwood making it a 28-24 game, the Eagles took a 35-17 lead into the locker room.
The extra cushion was needed as Kirkwood (9-3 overall) scored touchdowns on all four of its second-half possessions to keep pace.
Pioneers quarterback Owen Nesslage was 37-for-55 for 451 yards, five touchdowns and the one interception. Three Kirkwood players tallied 90 or more receiving yards.
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“We knew stopping (Kirkwood) would be difficult. The pick-six before halftime was huge,” Perry said.
About the only thing that could slow down Nixa and Rebura on Saturday was his own body – almost.
He briefly stayed down after a carry late in the third quarter, suffering from muscle cramps in his leg.
“I knew when I found out he was cramping that it wasn’t going to be an issue. Before I knew it was cramps, I was kind of concerned,” Perry said. “He’s the hardest, toughest dude. If I have to go clean out a bar late at night, I’m taking Dylan Rebura with me.”
Rebura sat out one play. On his first carry after returning, he rushed for a 46-yard gain. He finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.
Said Rebura: “I had some adversity there, but I’m tough and I’m always going to get back up and keep going.”
Nixa 56, Kirkwood 46
Kirkwood 14 3 7 22 — 46
Nixa 7 28 0 21 — 56
First quarter
Kirkwood – Robinson Jr. 19 catch from Nesslage (Evans kick)
Nixa – Rebura 2 run (Kahmke kick)
Kirkwood – Robinson Jr. 5 catch from Nesslage (Evans kick)
Second quarter
Nixa – Meltabarger 38 catch from Mcknight (Kahmke kick)
Nixa – Rebura 5 run (Kahmke kick)
Kirkwood – Evans 43 field goal
Nixa – Rebura 22 run (Kahmke kick)
Nixa – R. Flint 92 interception return (Kahmke kick)
Third quarter
Kirkwood – Eberhart 8 catch from Nesslage (Evans kick)
Fourth quarter
Nixa – Rebura 5 run (Kahmke kick)
Kirkwood – Griffin 10 run (Evans kick)
Nixa – Rebura 31 run (Kahmke kick)
Kirkwood – Sloan 10 catch from Nesslage (Evans kick)
Nixa – Rebura 17 run (Evans kick)
Kirkwood – Sloan 16 catch from Nesslage (Eberhart pass to Nesslage)
STAT LEADERS (unofficial)
Kirkwood passing: Nesslage 37/55, 451 yards, 5 TDs and 1 INT
Nixa passing: Mcknight 1/3, 38 yards, 1 TD
Kirkwood rushing: Griffin 11/50, 1 TD; Nesslage 6/40
Nixa rushing: Rebura 35/316, 6 TDs; Mcknight 13/112
Kirkwood receiving: Sloan 8/110, 2 TDs; Eberhart 7/104, 1 TD; Robinson Jr. 7/90, 2 TDs; Potter 6/53
Nixa receiving: Meltabarger 1/38, 1 TD
Nixa defense: 4 sacks
