Football Zizzers Narrowly Fall To Joplin 26-28, Season Record 4-1
It was a nail-biting, frustrating time at McDonald Field watching our previously undefeated Zizzers battle it out, trying desperately to earn a win against Class 6 Joplin to remain undefeated. But after some Zizzer mistakes and an obviously bad call from the officials, the game belonged to Joplin, even as the Zizzers mounted an amazing momentum-fueled drive during the final 50 seconds.
The first half of the game belonged to the Zizzers as they went into halftime with a five-point lead over the Eagles. But Joplin’s defense held the Zizzers back in the 3rd quarter, while the Eagle’s offense earned a 2 point conversion.
This game would be decided by special teams. Both teams scored 4 touch downs. But Joplin’s successful 2 point conversion in the 3rd quarter was the play that took them over the top, even though they missed a 2 point conversion in the 4th quarter. The Zizzers missed a 2 point conversion in the 2nd quarter and an extra point kick in the 1st quarter. And in this game, the Zizzers needed every special teams point they could get.
The fourth quarter was as exciting as it gets, as both teams scored and the Zizzers were scrambling for some momentum – which they got – but it was just too little too late. After Joplin’s 4th quarter score, they missed their 2 point conversion attempt. And the Zizzers were trying to capitalize on it and get into field goal range, but the at the last play with only 2 seconds on the clock and too many yards for a field goal, Conner Rackley threw a huge hail Mary into well-covered territory, and the Eagles won it.
HOWEVER, if you go back just about a minute and half, you’d see the momentum changing play (and bad call from the officials). Joplin had the ball and was passing into pressure on a 4th down with several yards to go. The ball went low, bounced off the ground and into the Joplin receiver’s arms as he falls to the ground and then fumbles it into the Zizzer’s waiting arms. The official rules it a completion for Joplin – no fumble. When he clearly should have ruled it an incomplete pass. This bad play call earned Joplin a first down and more time with the ball, but the Zizzer defense eventually stopped their drive. Zizzers finally take over with less than a minute, and launch an offensive drive to lead all the Zizzer fans on their feet! … Only to have the clock run down.
Bottom line: Zizzers faced off against Class 6 Joplin, scored just as many touchdowns and proved that they could hold their own against the bigger Class 6 team. But mistakes on special plays ended up being the decision maker – some of those mistakes were on the Zizzers and at least one mistake was on the officials. Joplin comes away with a narrow victory.
