The Zizzers brought the rain with them to Joplin, but the Eagles drew first blood scoring early in the 1st quarter and would lead for the entire hard fought, battle of a game. Final score: Zizzers 34, Eagles 48.
In the first quarter, McGinley (#6) grabbed some tackles early, as well as Nichols (#16) and Jett (#39). But then Joplin drove hard and scored with 7:38 remaining. Zizzers came back with Randolph (#2) to Holloway (#33), then to Hoopes (#26), then back to Holloway. First down Zizzers!
But the Eagles defense stopped the drive and took over on downs. Then the Eagles drove and scored again. 13 to 0 Eagles lead.
#39 Jett returned the next kickoff to the 33 yard line and Zizzers are hungry to score. Randolph buts the ball in Hoopes’ hands several times (as expected), and Hoopes delivers! First down! Then again, first and goal. Then… you guessed it – Hoopes scores! Cressman’s kick doesn’t make it’s mark, unfortunately. Zizzers trail 6 to 13, but they’ve put points on the board and are ready to do it again.
But the Eagles drive hard again. #16 Nichols makes a big take down for a loss, but the Eagles respond with a TD. Zizzers trail 6 to 19 with 1:48 remaining in the 1st half.
And a Zizzer last minute surge begins! Nichols grabs a 44 yard completion and TD! BOOM! And the 2 point conversion attempt is good! Zizzers trail 14 to 19 at the half. Momentum is on our side now!
Zizzers get the ball after the half, but the Eagles stop the drive on a Zizzer mistake. Joplin gets a long pass TD but a penalty brings it back. Ineligible receiver. Joplin QB keeper runs it to the 20. First down. Webb takes him down. TD for Joplin on the QB keeper. Zizzers trail 14 to 27.
39 Jett returns the kickoff to the 41 yard line. Holloway carries for 5. Hoopes for the first down. Hoopes for the long run into the end zone! TD for the Zizzers! Cressman’s kick is good. Zizzers trail 21 to 27.
39 Jett makes the tackle. Zizzers take over on downs at the 31. 6:15 the 3rd quarter. This game is far from over and it’s still a close battle. But what happened next took some of the wind out of the Zizzers’ sails…
Randolph throws long but is intercepted. Joplin goes long, completed. Nichols 16 makes the tackle. 4 Mahan gets the stop. QB keeper for a Joplin first down. 27 Webb pushes him out but Joplin gets the short TD. Zizzers trail 21 to 33. But the Zizzers still have a lot of fight left in them!
33 Holloway returns the kickoff to the 41. Hoopes finds the gap and blasts to the end zone! Cressman’s kick is blocked. 3:42 in the 3rd quarter. Zizzers trail 27 to 33.
4 Mahan gets the stop. Joplin QB keeper forced out by 6 McGinley. Mahan is down but looks OK, gets up. Whew. Joplin QB keeps it again. First down for Joplin. Joplin drives down the field. 56 Smith stops the drive. QB keeper for another TD. Zizzers trail 27 to 41. 1:45 in the 3rd quarter.
Zizzers come back in with Rackley at the helm. Rackley to Cornish completion. Rackley to Hoopes. Rackley scrambles and is down. Rackley drives the team for a successful TD drive! Zizzers trail 34 to 41. 7:13 in the game.
Joplin stops the Zizzer drive on a Zizzer mistake that cost us many yards. Eagles take over … and score. Zizzers trail 48 to 34. 3:49 remains. Let’s go Zizzers!
Rackley to Hoopes. First down. Rackley scrambles and is intercepted. And the Zizzers lose to Joplin, 34 to 48 after a hard fought game. The Zizzers NEVER gave up and fought until the end. Zizzers never say die, and that is an essential part of Zizzer Pride.
