In Friday’s victory over the Rogers, Ark., Mountaineers, Neosho was solid in almost every facet of the game.
The offense had a rushing game that was clicking and in the meantime the Neosho defense did something kind of rare for these neck of the woods – pitch a shutout.
In shutting out Rogers, it was the first shutout since a 27-0 win over Nevada in 2007. Prior to that, dating back to 2002, the only other shutouts were consecutive wins over Springfield Central in 2004 and 2005.
Give credit to a Neosho defense that made it hard for Rogers to run the ball or even get much time to pass. Credit also goes to new defensive coordinator Corey Roy, who had an idea or two what long-time friend Shawn Flannigan was going to do. The two coached together at Logan-Rogersville, when Roy was the head coach and Flannigan served as his offensive coordinator.
Roy then hired Flannigan in 2008 to take over the Neosho football program.
Having seen the spread offense for a number of years in practice, the Neosho defense Friday night was stellar.
The defensive line, led by Gavin Rainwater, stopped the running attack. The linebackers and defensive ends provided pressure on Rogers’ quarterback Nick Wary and the defensive backs made some big plays.
Rogers first drive was only five plays, which included an interception by Jared Brown, which was negated by a holding penalty on Neosho. Rogers’ second drive saw a 27-yard pass play, but after the first down, Rogers went 4-and-out.
The Mounties third drive ended after four plays, while the fourth drive saw a 16-yard gain, but then a punt four plays later.
By the time Neosho scored its second touchdown of the game in the second quarter, the Wildcats had 190 yards of total offense. Rogers had a net of 23 yards.
At halftime, Rogers hadn’t cracked 50 yards of total offense.
The Neosho defense continued to keep Rogers at bay. It wasn’t until the second drive of the third quarter that the Mounties marched into Neosho territory. That drive, though, ended on another interception by Brown, this one stood.
Linebacker Derrick Shadwick recorded three sacks for the Wildcats, rushing around the end and getting to Wary.
Now, a sophomore, Shadwick has never had three sacks in a game. Ever, not even in pee wee or junior high football.
“It’s amazing,” Shadwick said of winning. “We were pretty frustrated after last week and we wanted to get back on the field. We should’ve won last week and we were ready … we knew we were ready to play.”
