NMS football, v-ball win debuts

The Nevada Middle School fall sports season got off to a winning start on Wednesday, with the football and volleyball teams both earning victories in their first contests.

The Tigers travelled to Cassville and pulled off a sweep on the gridiron — first via a 36-22 win by the seventh-graders, then a 14-6 victory in the eighth-grade game.

John Michael Collins scored touchdowns on two runs of more than 40 yards to lead the seventh-grade squad, while teammates Will Jackson, Kyndrek Atkins, and Elijah Edmunds each found the end zone, as well.

"The seventh-grade offensive line, led by guards Cohen Longobardi and L.B. Jackson, played a big role in the success of the rushing attack," NMS head coach Toby Thorp stated. "Cassville, as always, has a bunch of big physical kids, so coming out with a win is a testament to the hard work the seventh-grade team has put in and the coaching of Craig Thorpe and Luke Clark. "

In the eighth-grade game, Cassville's defense loaded the box once it discovered in the earlier game what kind of offense Nevada was going to run. The strategy paid off in the form of a three-and-out on the Tigers' first possession, but when NMS got the ball back the offense took advantage of opportunities in the passing game.

Quarterback Kellen Braden found wingback Mason Majors for a 45-yard touchdown pass, before connecting with tight end Jacob Hope down the left seam for a 50-yard touchdown. Alex Ast was also the recipient of a 45-yard catch and run.

After Cassville’s defense re-adjusted, Nevada went back to the run game — highlighted by rushing efforts by tailbacks Kobe Buck and Jett Snyder.

“Behind some great offensive line play, we were able to get the running game going in the second half,” stated Thorp, whose offense might have put up some more points if not for some inopportune penalties in the red zone. “Our defense played very well throughout the game and limited a big, physical team to one score and limited yards.”

Thorp credited linebackers Drew Miller, Uche Mba, Isaac Irwin, and Peyton Wyant, as well as defensive linemen John Carlson and Dominic Zermeno, for keeping Cassville’s run game at bay.

“Overall, we are happy with the performance of both teams,” added Thorp, whose squad will next host McDonald County Thursday at Logan Field. “As with most week-one games there were some significant things we needed to improve on, but we were happy with the intensity and effort level we saw on the field.”

NMS volleyball coach Erin Townsend was also pleased with her team’s season-opening performance.

The Lady Tigers took two of three against Seneca on Wednesday, with the seventh-grade squad winning 25-12, 25-13 and the eighth-grade A team winning 28-26, 25-14. The eighth-grade B team won its first set but ended up losing 25-16, 18-25, 22-25.

They will head to Fort Scott on Monday.