Nevada Middle School football falls to Joplin
Nevada Daily Mail
The Nevada Middle School eighth-grade football A team was defeated by Joplin North and East Eagles (combined team) 51-22, Thursday night at Logan Field. The eighth-grade B team was beat 8-0.
Joplin went on top early in the first quarter courtesy of an Evan Guillary 5-yard touchdown scamper, capping a 48-yard drive.
The Tigers struck back as Kolby O'Connell took the ensuing kickoff 73 yards for pay dirt. Nevada was successful on the two-point attempt, as quarterback Matt Thorp connected with O'Connell after being flushed from the pocket, to put Nevada on top 8-6 with 6:09 remaining in the first quarter.
After receiving the ball back ---- a Shelton Washington 40-yard run set Joplin up at the Nevada 29-yard line. Three plays later Guillary went off-tackle for a 25-yard score.
The successful extra point handed the Eagles a 13-8 lead with 4:58 remaining in the fist quarter.
After holding Nevada and receiving the ball back, Joplin went in for its third score of the evening, as Washington finished off a short drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.
Quarterback Anthony Ratliff completed a pass to Guillary on the two-point play to put the Eagles up 21-8 with 48 seconds to play in the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter Thorp was intercepted by Joplin defensive back Mitchell Eldridge at the Tiger 45-yard line. Eldridge's 18-yard pick took Joplin to the Nevada 27-yard line.
Several plays later Joplin was back in the end zone via a halfback draw to Washington.
The successful two-point conversion gave the Eagles a 29-8 advantage midway through the second quarter.
Shortly before halftime the Tigers were able to slice the Joplin lead to 29-14 with a Thorp to Austin Bash 20-yard touchdown toss.
However, working with a short field Joplin was able to capitalize as Isaiah Davis connected with Jordan Epperson for a 29-yard touchdown strike on the halfback option pass. Ratliff's completion to Davis on the two-point try put Joplin on top 37-14.
An Epperson 47-yard interception of Thorp for a touchdown with nine seconds remaining in the half put the Tigers in a 43-14 halftime hole.
Joplin's final score of the game came early in the third quarter as Washington broke off a 45-yard run for a touchdown. A Ratliff quarterback keeper staked Joplin to a 51-14 lead.
Late in the third quarter, Thorp again found Bash through the air, this time for an 11-yard touchdown.
A Thorp to Miller completion for two-points made the score 51-22.
For Nevada, Bash had over 100 yards receiving and two touchdown receptions.