Joplin Falls 49-28 to Ozark in Class 6 District 5 Semifinals
The Joplin High School Eagles dropped a 49-28 decision to the Ozark High School Tigers in the Class 6 District 5 semifinals on Friday night, bringing their season to a close with a 3-7 record. Ozark seized control of the game just 12 seconds in when an opening kickoff returned 82 yards for a touchdown established a 7-0 lead.
Joplin quarterback Trenton McCadney recorded 91 yards rushing and 160 yards passing with two late-game interceptions. Ozark capitalized on early momentum, using a 55-yard pass from quarterback Caden O’Donnell to receiver Westin Samson to set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Jett Easley that pushed the lead to 14-0 by the end of the first quarter.
Second-Quarter Scoring Responses
The Eagles mounted a 10-play, 70-yard drive in the second quarter, capped by Jonathan Tilton’s 17-yard touchdown run. Lacota Nichols added the extra point to narrow the deficit to 14-7. An apparent kickoff return for a touchdown by Tilton earlier was negated by a holding penalty.
Ozark responded immediately with a three-play series ending in a 53-yard screen pass from O’Donnell to tight end Hendrix Haymes, making it 21-7. Joplin countered with an 80-yard drive highlighted by a 63-yard run from Tilton, cutting the score to 21-14 with less than four minutes remaining in the half. The Tigers then marched 68 yards over 13 plays in just over three minutes, bringing the halftime score to 28-14.
Tigers Extend Lead Before Late Touchdowns
After a scoreless third quarter that included an opening-half interception thrown by McCadney at the Ozark 43-yard line, the Tigers extended their lead to 35-14 with 10:53 remaining in the game. Joplin answered quickly when McCadney connected with Michael Rhone for a 38-yard touchdown pass in 90 seconds, making it 38-21.
Ozark answered with a touchdown to lead 42-21 with 6:40 left. Joplin responded with a 12-play drive featuring runs by McCadney and passes to Aydin Harvey, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown plunge by Elijah Hurrell with 3:41 remaining to narrow the score to 42-28. Ozark scored on its final possession to set the final 49-28 margin, ending the Eagles’ campaign.
