NMS football stays unbeaten after squashing McDonald Co.

Nevada Middle School wingback John Michael Collins (right) breaks free thanks to a teammate's block during the seventh-graders' 34-6 win over McDonald County Thursday afternoon at Logan Field. The eighth-grade team also won, 26-14.

Photo courtesy of Maria Snyder

Both Nevada Middle School football teams improved to 2-0 following impressive home debuts against McDonald County Thursday at Logan Field — with the seventh-grade squad dominating 34-6 and the eighth-graders winning 26-14.

In the first game, Will Jackson, Elijah Edmunds, John Michael Collins, and Kyndrek Atkins all scored rushing touchdowns for the seventh-grade Tigers, while the defense held the Mustangs out of the end zone until late in the game.

"This is a great group of kids. They work hard and are coachable. It's hard to ask more of them than that," NMS head coach Toby Thorp stated.

Eighth-grade quarterback Kellen Braden ripped a 60-yard rushing TD on Nevada's first possession in the nightcap, before teammate Mason Majors ran one in from 45 yards out on the team's next drive.

Braden later connected with Alex Ast on a 55-yard TD pass on the second play of the third quarter (Kobe Buck ran in the two-point conversion).

On McDonald County's ensuing possession, linebacker Uche Mba collected an interception at midfield and ran it to the house. Jett Snyder and Kanton Ast also had INTs for the NMS defense.

The Mustangs' two scores came late in this game, as well.

"We were very effective tonight running the ball. Coach Beachler's offense is mentally demanding and requires offensive linemen to be not only good athletes but intelligent and adaptable," stated Thorp, who credited linemen Isaac Campbell, Cameron Anderson, Jacob Dryer, Shawn Simmons, and Dominic Zermino for not missing a beat, and as well as the defense for forcing McDonald County to air it out.