NMS football splits with Monett

The Nevada Middle School football teams went 1-1 at Monett on Thursday, with the seventh-grade squad losing 20-8 and the eighth-graders winning 26-14.

NMS eighth-grade quarterback Kellen Braden scored a 65-yard touchdown run on the second play of that game, before Jett Snyder punched in a five-yard TD run on the Tigers' next possession. Braden added another TD run before halftime.

After Monett opened the second half with a long scoring drive, Kanton Ast recovered an onside kick to allow Nevada to eat up some more clock. Braden eventually connected with Kobe Buck on a 35-yard touchdown pass to put the game away.

“Our defense did a great job being disciplined and forced Monett to play small ball,” NMS head coach Toby Thorp stated.

John Michael Collins scored the seventh grade’s lone touchdown on a 45-yard run.

“Sometimes a loss like this can help you get better,” Thorp stated. “We will need to learn from it.“