JOPLIN — Now, it’s on to the Class 4 playoffs for the Neosho football Wildcats.
Neosho put an exclamation point on its Class 4-District 11 schedule and the end of the regular season with a 41-6 victory over long-time border rival McDonald County under the bright lights and on the turf at Missouri Southern’s Fred G. Hughes Stadium Thursday night.
The victory gives Neosho a 3-0 record and the District 11 title for the second-straight season, and a 7-3 overall record to match its 2008 mark. McDonald County ends its season at 1-9, 0-3 in district play.
“It was a good win, but I don’t think we played exceptionally well, but it is a win and that’s all that matters,” said Neosho head coach Shawn Flannigan. “We are now looking to move forward. We are trying to find ways to get the ball to all of our players. We are working hard on that, and have devoted a lot of time in practice on that, and develop our skills players into more defined skill players.”
Flannigan said next week he expects to see a more-intense Neosho team against Carthage.
“In the grand scheme of things, this game (McDonald County) had zero implications on the season outside of just a win or a loss,” Flannigan said. “I think next week we will see our guys play to their maximum potential, and I think we will see a much better effort next week.”
The Wildcats played their final regular season home game at MSSU after NHS school officials wanted to save the field at Bob Anderson Stadium from more possible damage due to this week’s rains. The field at Anderson Stadium is already dirt and mud from hash mark to hash mark in the center after several games this season have been forced to play in bad, wet weather.
The Wildcats will return to their home field at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, to play host to the regional playoff round and a rematch with Carthage.
