Tigers get another ranked foe

Nevada's offense, including Jacob Cherry (29), has moved the ball well all season long.

By Joe Warren

Nevada Daily Mail

NEVADA, Mo. -- Fresh off a heartbreaking loss to McDonald County, the Nevada Tigers must regroup in a big way as they host No. 3 ranked Cassville in the Class 3, District 11 opener for both schools.

Led by star running back Brian Elkins, the Cassville Wildcats come into the game with a 6-0 record, not having lost a regular season game since the 2004 season.

Nevada (2-5) is trying to snap a four game losing skid, not having won since Week 3 against Butler.

Their best chance at a victory the past month was Friday when they scored with 2:18 left in the game to take a 24-20 lead, only to see McDonald County score with 49 seconds left to win the game.

"Obviously it was a difficult loss for us," Nevada head coach John Skeans said. "In the second half we played a lot better defense. I thought we did a good job throughout the game of continuing to fight."

The Tigers can't dwell on the loss with one of the tougher games on their schedule this week. While the third-ranked Wildcats bring lofty expectations into the game, Nevada has seen its share of ranked opponents this year, having already faced Bolivar, Webb City and Carthage. Cassville will be the fourth ranked team.

"If you can get through games like those and perform at a high level, that prepares you for district," Skeans said.

Skeans sees the Wildcat offense as a byproduct of Elkins and the aptly sized Cassville offensive line.

"They're big up front and they have some good skill kids," Skeans said. "Defensively we have to stop the run. If we can force them into some passing situations, that could play into our hands a little bit."

Skeans knows the Wildcats will run at will if the Tigers let them.

"I know going in, that's (running the ball) more than likely going to be their game plan," he said.

The high-powered Nevada offense is averaging more than 350 yards per game this season, even if they haven't turned that into a winning record. But the fact his team has moved the ball on every team they've played has Skeans optimistic that his team's fortunes can change in the district race. The third-year coach has stressed to his team the importance of starting over this week.

"We have a playoff format set up that it doesn't matter if you're 7-0 or 0-7," he said. "Everybody starts over the last three games."

For Nevada, Friday is the final home game of the regular season. After hosting Cassville, a Big 8 school, the Tigers visit another pair of schools in that same conference to close the season (at Seneca Oct. 27, and at Monett Nov. 3).