If you listened to Coach Ary’s radio interview on the morning of the game, you might have had some concerns about how well the Zizzers would fare against Waynesville. And after losing 9 amazing seniors last year, we were all a little concerned about this season. But by the end of the 1st quarter, your doubts were erased by a Zizzer shut out which would last the entire game.
NOTE: To view more photos of this game and others from the 2016-2017 year, click here.
2016-17 Zizzers are ready to take on Waynesville!
Ary’s concerns were not unfounded. The varsity Zizzers lost 9 key experienced seniors at the end of last year – all of whom were First or Second Team All-Conference players. A loss like that would hurt any team. And the pressure was on for our JV and Freshmen guys to step up and be the new leaders for the new year. The Zizzers worked hard during the summer to patch up the holes left from the departing seniors. And, for game one, they succeeded!
Offensively, senior Keegan Hoopes (#26) stepped up, as expected, to be a leader on the field and responded to the pressure of the first game with an amazing performance – 17 carries for 285 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns! (PLUS one sack on defense too!) Hoopes was definitely the player of the game! Freshman Connor Rackley (#8) passed for 21 yards and a touchdown working with Garel McGinley (#4) who received for a total of 25 yards and a touchdown. Special kudos goes to sophomore kicker, Trey Cressman (#20) who starts his season with a perfect record – every extra point kick was on the mark!
Zizzer defensive swarm!
Defensively, senior Justin Nichols (#16) along with Lane Jett (#39) stepped up for 3 tackles (Nichols) and 8 tackles (Jett) causing yard losses for the Tigers. Sophomore Ian Ary (#44) stepped up for 3 big tackles and a quarterback sack. Senior Dakota Bowen (#72) had 3 big quarterback sacks and 2 tackles, helping to round out the Zizzer defense which kept the Waynesville Tigers offense shut down.
I should also mention the Tigers’ center, who, either through Zizzer pressure or his own mental pressure, sent the ball over the head of his quarterback on multiple occasions, giving the Zizzer defense ample opportunity to run down the QB. I talked with a Waynesville fan who said they have a younger, more inexperienced team this year. That would explain some things, since we all really expected a battle on the field.
A quick Zizzer celebration in the Tigers’ end zone.
The first quarter of the game had lots of excitement as the Zizzers drew first blood quickly with Hoopes. Then the Waynesville Tigers answered back with a series of drives which led to a touchdown run that was ultimately called back due to penalties. From there on it was mostly a Keegan Hoopes show.
The Zizzers rarely needed to put the ball in the air throughout the game, as they could just hand it off (usually to Hoopes who would run for yard after unanswered yard). Waynesville just could not find a way to shut down Hoopes. I counted at least 5 consecutive carries from Hoopes where he consistently helped move the chains down the field. I kept expecting the Tigers to adjust and put more pressure on Hoopes (which means more potential for injury). Eventually, Coach Ary pulled Hoopes out to let him rest and keep him from potential injuries. Nick Osmun (#34) stepped up and grabbed the next touchdown followed by a Cressman extra point kick.
By the end of the 1st quarter, Zizzer defensive players Kelby Madorie (#28), Ian Ary, Daniel Cobb (#46) and Quentin Stewart (#77) each grabbed a take-down, one after the other. Zizzers up 28 to 0.
Zizzer D-FENCE doing their thing.
If you didn’t travel to Waynesville to watch this game you really missed out on a terrific season opener for the Zizzers who showed that they can keep fighting even after the loss of such great senior leaders from last year. I’m looking forward to seeing what they guys can do this year and I say “bring on Kickapoo!” Heck – bring on Webb City too!
Well, actually the next team we face is the Camdenton Lakers. Let’s see what we can do! Go Zizzers!
NOTE: Webb City lost their season opener to their bitter rival Carl Junction 23-7 – too bad that didn’t happen last year in the post season!
NOTE: Kickapoo defeated Parkview 55-26 in their season opener.
