Cassville getting back on track after 15 days between contests

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

In spite of losing three fumbles and having two touchdowns wiped off the scoreboard, the Wildcats found a way.

Cassville’s defense delivered a shutout in Mt. Vernon on Saturday, helping the Wildcats overcome a turnover-filled offensive performance for a 26-0 victory over Mt. Vernon.

Cassville scored twice in the first quarter and added two more touchdowns to improve its position heading into the final week of the regular season. However, the win came with plenty of room for improvement, particularly on offense, as Cassville worked through a difficult stretch following a lengthy layoff.

“That’s the worst we’ve played offensively all year, and it was mistakes on us,” said Clay Weldy, Cassville coach. “Mount Vernon did a good job. They played aggressive and did a good job.”

Cassville opened the game with a fumble on the first offensive snap, giving the Mountaineers possession at the Wildcats’ 34-yard line. The defense responded by forcing a turnover on downs, setting up the offense to find its footing.

Easton Hughes broke through the middle for a first down to the 46-yard line, and Jaren Stearns followed with a 51-yard touchdown run. The score put Cassville ahead 7-0 with 8:51 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Wildcats quickly added to their lead after Hughes intercepted a Mt. Vernon pass and returned possession to Cassville at the Mountaineers’ 18-yard line. Chase Ruark gained seven yards, and Kamden Beebe moved the chains before scoring on a short run to make it 14-0.

Cassville’s defense continued to control the game, stopping Mt. Vernon on downs again after the Mountaineers moved across midfield. Bodie Hodge later intercepted a pass to end another Mountaineer possession.

The Wildcats threatened to extend their lead midway through the second quarter, moving from their own 37 to the Mt. Vernon 1-yard line. But a fumble on the next play gave the ball back to the Mountaineers just short of the goal line.

Cassville’s defense forced a punt, and the offense put together another scoring drive. Stearns scrambled for a first down at the Mountaineers’ 24-yard line, and, after a fumble that Cassville recovered, the Wildcats continued moving forward. A pass to Carlos Barrientos reached the 1-yard line, where Beebe punched in another touchdown. The extra-point attempt was blocked, leaving Cassville ahead 20-0.

The defense kept Mt. Vernon off the scoreboard through the remainder of the first half. Tyler Hodge recorded a sack for an 8-yard loss, and Spencer Drollinger brought down the quarterback on a scramble to end the half.

Weldy credited the defensive effort as a major bright spot.

“Defensively, I thought we played outstanding today,” he said. “We got off the field. We got turnovers. We played really well.”

Cassville added to its lead late in the third quarter with another sustained drive. Beebe converted a fourth-and-1 and later picked up another first down to move the Wildcats into scoring position. After Beebe helped advance the ball inside the 10, Stearns kept it himself for a 4-yard touchdown. Another blocked extra point made the score 26-0 with 1:45 left in the quarter.

The Wildcats appeared to add another score when Masin Bryan returned a punt for a touchdown, but a holding penalty brought the play back. Cassville later lost a fumble, giving Mt. Vernon a chance to get on the board.

The Mountaineers drove inside the Wildcats’ 15-yard line, but Cassville’s defense held again. Mace Bredeson broke up a pass in the end zone, and the Wildcats took over at their own 14.

Cassville’s offense then put together one final drive to run out the clock. Hughes picked up a first down near midfield, Ruark caught a screen pass for another first down, and Hughes moved the ball to the Mt. Vernon 20 before the Wildcats entered victory formation.

For Weldy, the performance reflected some of the challenges that can come with an unusual schedule. Cassville had gone through a 15-day stretch without playing a game after Miller Career Academy did not travel to Cassville in Week 7. The remainder of the Phoenix’s season has been canceled due to inappropriate player behavior, which is being investigated by the district and St. Louis police.

“Football players and coaches are creatures of habit, and you get out of habit,” Weldy said. “We had a week off, and we were expecting it. You get your juices up on a Friday, and all of a sudden, you’re going home.”

The coach said the schedule has forced the team to adjust, with a canceled game, a Saturday kickoff and another road contest ahead.

“These last three weeks are going to be out of routine,” he said. “It’s going to be not what we’re used to, and it’s adversity we’ve got to deal with. That’s going to make us better in the postseason.”

Senior Chase Ruark echoed his coach’s assessment that the Wildcats need to clean up their mistakes, even as they take satisfaction in securing the win.

“We did not play the greatest, to be honest with you,” Ruark said. “We definitely should have done a lot better, but we got the win. That’s all that matters. We’re one step closer to that No. 1 district seed.”

Ruark said the team had maintained its energy during the break but acknowledged that returning to game action after two weeks away was challenging. He also pointed to ball security as an immediate priority.

“We’ve just got to be better and not put the ball on the turf,” he said.

Cassville has one regular-season game remaining before district play begins. The Wildcats will travel to Nevada next, with the goal of securing the top district seed and a Week 10 bye.

“We’re feeling good,” Ruark said. “We’re trying to get that No. 1 seed, so this is just one step closer. We’ve just going to go handle business in Nevada.”

Weldy said the offensive miscues need to be corrected quickly as the team approaches the postseason.

“We have not played that way all year,” he said. “Maybe we needed that game this late in the year to kind of refocus us and get us better.”

Offensively, Stearns went 6-for-9 through the air for 73 yards, adding 76 yards and two touchdowns on 65 carries on the ground. Beebe had 90 yards on 12 carries and two scores, and Hughes tallied 87 yards on 11 carries.

Five receivers brought in passes, with Bredeson leading the way with 19 yards on 2 catches.

Defensively, Braydyn Sizemore led the Wildcats with 4 tackles, 2 assists, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Masin Bryan had 4 tackles, 3 assists and 0.5 tackles for loss. Tyler Hodge, Zach Myers, Wylan Fraris, Spencer Drollinger and Bredeson each had 3 tackles each. Drollinger also recorded a sack, Carlos Barrientos and Bredeson each had a pass breakup, and Hughes and Bodie Hodge each logged an interception.

Kickoff in Nevada on Friday is at 7 p.m.