Monett Cubs rally falls just short against Wildcats

Barry County Brawl trophy goes to Cassville in nail biter battle on gridiron
 
Monett scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes of the game, but a 2-point conversion came up two yards short with no time on the clock as the Cubs (4-4) fell to Cassville, 48-46, Friday in the Barry County Brawl.
Monett quarterback Dylan Washick threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Miles Young as time expired to pull the Cubs within two points.
Needing a 2-point conversion to send the game to overtime, Washick completed a pass to Alex Meeks on a short slant. Meeks was immediately hit by a swarm of Cassville defenders, just short of the goal line, sealing the Wildcat win.
“We can’t have turnovers,” said Ben Mauk, Monett coach. “Our kids are playing competitive games against good football teams, and I think we are doing a lot of good things. But we are still making silly mistakes.”
Mauk talked specifically about turnovers and penalties, both hurt his team.
Cassville was able to capitalize on takeaways with interceptions in each half, returning both for touchdowns.
The Cubs had a touchdown called back on a holding call to end the first half.
The Wildcats (5-3) scored first with an eight-play, 77-yard drive capped by a 37-yard run from Mace Bredeson, for a 7-0 lead.
Monett answered immediately when Washick hit Carson Nestleroad for a 73-yard score, followed by a two-point conversion for an 8-7 lead with 11:48 to play in the half.
The Cubs recovered an onside kick and marched down the field on an eight-play drive that culminated in Collin Umfleet’s 1-yard dive into the end zone. Another two-point conversion pushed the Cub lead to 16-7.
The Cubs went to the onside kick well again, but Cassville was ready, recovering it at midfield. A play later, junior Masin Bryan broke loose and ran 50 yards for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 16-14.
On the next Cub drive, Cassville’s Tristan Thompson stepped in front of a pass and scampered 58 yards for a touchdown, giving the Wildcats a 21-16 lead with 7:22 to play in the half.
Monett answered with a 10-play drive capped by Washick’s 27-yard pass to Meeks for a touchdown. A missed conversion left the score 22-21 with 5:47 to play in the half.
The Wildcats retook the lead when quarterback Jared Stearns found Colton Roark for a 31-yard score and a 28-22 lead.
Washick and the Cubs tied the game with a 69-yard pass to Nestleroad with 3:33 to play in the half.
Cassville opened the second-half scoring with a second connection between Stearns and Roark, this time for 53 yards and a 34-28 with 8:46 to play in the third quarter.
Monett answered with a 72-yard pass from Washick to Brayden Seitz, tying the game at 34.
Cassville chewed up more than six minutes with a 13-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in Easton Hughes stretching the ball over the goal line from two yards out.
Leading 41-34, Roark picked off a pass in the flat and ran for his third score of the night, giving Cassville a 48-34 lead with a minute to play in the third.
Monett moved down the field, chewing up nearly half the quarter, before Washick hit Seitz over the middle for a touchdown, pulling the Cubs closer at 48-40.
Washick finished the night completing 26 of 41 pass attempts for 395 yards, six touchdowns and the two picks. He carried the ball 10 times but was also sacked several times, leaving him with negative 10 rushing yards.
Umfleet finished with 91 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Cubs while also catching four passes for 36 yards.
Meeks led the Cub receivers with eight catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, while Young pulled in five balls for 26 yards and Nestleroad had three catches for 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Seitz also caught two touchdowns on four receptions for 99 yards.
Monett returns to action on Friday at Mt. Vernon. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.