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Raytown South knows all too well how Nixa feels.
The Cardinals beat Nixa 21-15 on a last-second play in Saturday’s Class 5 state quarterfinals to move on to Friday’s semifinal showdown at Fort Osage.
Raytown South’s Jerrick Walton, a senior running back, corralled a tipped ball with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter that was intended as a 25-yard Hail Mary pass by quarterback Dennis Tanner. The score was tied at 15-15 when Tanner dropped back, scrambled and was hit as he attempted the heave.
Walton snatched the deflection out of the air and outran Nixa defenders to the end zone for the dramatic victory.
“You hate to see anyone lose,” Cardinals head coach David Allie said, adding last season’s loss to Hazelwood East in the Class 5 championship game on a last second play provides his team an unique perspective on such a loss. “Looking across that field, I can empathize. I definitely felt what (Nixa) was feeling. Luckily, it worked out for us this time.”
Raytown South (10-3) was led offensively by Walton, who rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries and caught three passes for 45 yards and one touchdown. Tanner was 12 of 22 passing for 155 yards and one touchdown.
The Cardinals travel to Fort Osage (12-0) Friday for a semifinal showdown. They lost to the Indians 21-14 earlier this season but beat them 6-0 in last year’s state quarterfinal on the way to the championship game.
“We’re going to battle it out,” Allie said. “We are definitely going to have our work cut out for us. They are a very solid, well-coached and disciplined football team.”
Raytown South knows all too well how Nixa feels.
The Cardinals beat Nixa 21-15 on a last-second play in Saturday’s Class 5 state quarterfinals to move on to Friday’s semifinal showdown at Fort Osage.
Raytown South’s Jerrick Walton, a senior running back, corralled a tipped ball with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter that was intended as a 25-yard Hail Mary pass by quarterback Dennis Tanner. The score was tied at 15-15 when Tanner dropped back, scrambled and was hit as he attempted the heave.
Walton snatched the deflection out of the air and outran Nixa defenders to the end zone for the dramatic victory.
“You hate to see anyone lose,” Cardinals head coach David Allie said, adding last season’s loss to Hazelwood East in the Class 5 championship game on a last second play provides his team an unique perspective on such a loss. “Looking across that field, I can empathize. I definitely felt what (Nixa) was feeling. Luckily, it worked out for us this time.”
Raytown South (10-3) was led offensively by Walton, who rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries and caught three passes for 45 yards and one touchdown. Tanner was 12 of 22 passing for 155 yards and one touchdown.
The Cardinals travel to Fort Osage (12-0) Friday for a semifinal showdown. They lost to the Indians 21-14 earlier this season but beat them 6-0 in last year’s state quarterfinal on the way to the championship game.
“We’re going to battle it out,” Allie said. “We are definitely going to have our work cut out for us. They are a very solid, well-coached and disciplined football team.”
