Nevada Middle School football falls to Joplin

Saturday, October 10, 2015

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.

Matthew Resnick/Daily Mail/ Nevada's Kolby O'Connell returns a kick in the first quarter of Nevada's game with Joplin, Thursday evening at Logan Field.

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.

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