SPRINGFIELD — The conference title is the first step in Nixa’s ultimate goal.
The Eagles defeated Glendale 59-14 to secure the Central Ozark Conference East title for the fifth consecutive season on Thursday, Oct. 22.
“That’s obviously a goal of ours when we get started,” head coach John Perry said about winning the conference title. “We have great kids and they work hard every single day to get a little better.”
Glendale jumped ahead first on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Joelle Rover. The star receiver caught a pass from Ryder Spickard near the sideline. He broke a few tackles and was gone for the big score.
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Nixa turned things around on two key 4th-down calls. The Eagles were stopped at midfield. Instead of punting, the team snapped the ball to Reed Wilson at the up-back position.
The fake punt worked beautifully with Wilson breaking multiple tackles down the near sideline. He sprinted into the end zone, tying the game.
“I was like, ‘dang, I might go down and be short,’” Wilson said. “I spun off and there was a gap on the left. I was running into the end zone and dang, I did it. I’ve never had a celebration or had to practice it.”
On the next offensive possession, Nixa quarterback Adam McKnight tossed a 41-yard touchdown pass across the middle to Carter Mabe. The play came on 4th-and-13, giving Nixa a 14-7 lead. It was a backbreaker for the Falcons and a play that calmed Nixa’s nerves.
“It really killed the momentum that they had,” Perry said. “From there, I thought we settled down and played football.”
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Nixa scored 42 unanswered points leading into the third quarter. McKnight threw a second deep touchdown pass to Mabe. He also rushed for three touchdowns, including a 60-yard scamper. Jax Adams added a long rushing score, too.
Xzaevion Manous closed the game with a late touchdown, too. Jonah Fields also added a new career-long 54-yard field goal.
Midway through the third quarter, Glendale scored a 55-yard passing touchdown from Spickard to Rover.
The night belonged to Wilson. With a fake punt for a touchdown, he rushed for over 80 yards. Entering this game, Wilson had zero carries. Nixa wanted to build depth in case anything happened to starting back Adams.
“Reed is an outstanding football player that we’ve been practicing on offense,” Perry said. “Reed is phenomenal. He is a great defensive player and he’s probably top five in the state in tackles. He can come over there and do that, too.”
It wasn't the successful night Wilson expected. The defensive back leads Nixa in tackles. He shines on the defensive side of the ball.
In the regular-season finale, his offensive skills took center stage, showing his versatility could play a role when the playoffs begin next week.
“The punt helped get rid of the nerves. That was my first carry of the season,” Wilson said. “I did just like we practiced. We have a good offensive line. They are the dudes and they get it done. The holes were there and I hit them.”
With the conference title secured, Nixa will turn its attention to the district title before pushing for its ultimate prize of a Class 6 state championship.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Inside Nixa football's fifth straight conference championship