Zizzers Defeat Bolivar 42-21, Advancing
Now that we’re in the post-season, every game is Live or Die. The Zizzers live to play another game by pounding Bolivar 42-21 with a record setting performance from sophomore Brayden Lidgard. But early mistakes allowed Bolivar to keep it close during the first half. We must clean up our sloppy mistakes to stand a chance against Carl Junction’s defense. You can do it Zizzers!
First, kudos to sophomore Brayden Lidgard (and his offensive linemen) for setting the school’s single season touchdown record at 39 (previously 36). Keep it up boys – Carl Junction will be waiting to stop Lidgard at every chance they get.
Zizzers opened the game with a solid drive of Lidgard carries, but we turned it over on downs. Bolivar’s offense was stopped in 4 plays, forcing a punt. Zizzers came back with a Rackley scramble to Lidgard pass for 3. Lidgard carries for 6 – first down. Rackely to Robins #9 first down! Lidgard dodges defenders and drives into the end zone, but the Cressman kick was blocked. Zizzers up 6-0. Lidgard broke the single season rushing TD record!
Zizzer defense stops Bolivar: Webb and Ary 44 get a take down. McGinley #6 gets a big takedown on a pass completion. False start on Bolivar. Incomplete pass because McGinley deflects it! Bolivar punts again. Zizzers take over on the 40.
Lidgard gets 3. Lidgard gets 4. Rackley keeps for 2. 4th and inches. Rackley keeps and gets the first down, ball on 48. Rackley keeps for 3. Rackley to Hackworth 87 complete for the first down, on the 36. Rackley hops like a deer and gets 4. Lidgard gets 4. End of the first quarter, Zizzers lead Bolivar 6-0.
Rackley scrambles gets caught, breaks free, pass to Lidgard incomplete. Lidgard gets the first down! Ball on the 20. Rackley keeps and takes it in! Rackley scrambles and throws to Mahan #4 for the 2 point conversion! Zizzers lead Bolivar 14 – 0. 11:41 in the 2nd quarter.
Bolivar has the ball. Zizzer defense puts the pressure on. Jett #39 gets a big take down behind the line! 4th and 14. Bolivar punts to the 43. Rackley scrambles, Bolivar forces a fumble and recovers the ball on the 29. Ary 22 gets the take down. Bolivar passes, first down on the 18. Wilbanks 68 gets the take down. Mitchell 11 is down after a big take down, but he is OK later. Bolivar passes and scores. Zizzers lead Bolivar 14-7 with 9:21 in the 2nd quarter.
Zizzers go 4 and out, punting to Bolivar – they return it all the way to the end zone to tie up the game at 14 each!
Zizzer’s next drive gets close, but doesn’t score: ball on the 6, 4th and 6, Zizzers turn it over on downs. Time out Bolivar.
Zizzer defenese gets to work – Ary 44 gets the take down with Webb 27. Ary 22 gets the take down. Bolivar first down. Penalty, false start Bolivar. Mitchell 11 and Ary 44 get the take down. Mitchell 11 gets the interception! Runs it to the 1! Rackley keeps it and drives it in! Zizzers lead 21-14.
Bolivar’s next series of drives is ended by another interception – this time by Lane Jett #39. Rackley to Lidgard for 53 yards and a touchdown. Zizzers up 28-14 in the 2nd quarter.
Zizzer defense forces a Bolivar punt after a failed drive with less than a minute in the half. Zizzers drive and with 19 seconds on the clock, Rackley passes to Daniel Cobb #45 for a 20 yard TD pass. Zizzers lead 35-14 at the half.
Bolivar won the toss to receive in the 2nd half, but Zizzer defense stops the drive and forces a punt. Bryson Collins #13 blocks the punt and recovers the ball on the 24 yard line, and takes a hard hit as he is tackled. Zizzer offense drives and scores with 3rd Lidgard touchdown of the night. Zizzers lead 42-14.
The next 4 possessions are uneventful with Bolivar ending up punting – twice, and the Zizzers punt once and turn the ball over on downs once. With the ball in Bolivar’s possession, Weston Mitchell #11 grabs his 2nd interception of the night, ending any hope for Bolivar to make a come back.
Coach Ary subs in several of his JV players to give them some varsity level playing time. Bolivar capitalizes and scores one more time, but it’s too late in the game to make a difference. Zizzers win 42-21, and go 8-2 for the season.
Next week, we face Carl Junction (9-1) on their home turf. The Bulldogs have only lost one game this season – and it was to their arch-rival Webb City. The Bulldogs are known for low-scoring games because their defense doesn’t allow many scoring opportunities. We know they’ll be looking to contain Lidgard and Rackley from running. Can our Zizzers find ways to open up lanes for scoring against the Bulldogs tough defense? I look forward to see what the Zizzers do! Go Zizzers!
