Last Friday, the Stockton Tigers hosted Pierce City in Southwest Conference action. Although unusually warm, Joe Price Stadium was abuzz with homecoming festivities taking place before kickoff. The Tigers had walloped the Eagles last season and Pierce City hoped to reverse their fortunes this season as they remain in the hunt for the conference crown. In attendance and honored at halftime was former Tiger Logan Reser who ran for 399 yards against Pierce City last season, the 23rd best single game performance in Missouri high school football history. His presence added even more motivation for Pierce City.
The night started slow for both teams until the Tigers found the end zone following an eleven play drive to take the early 8-0 lead with 3:22 remaining in the first quarter. Pierce City answered on their next possession, scoring on the first play of the second quarter. After a successful extra point kick by the Eagles, the Tigers held an early 8-7 lead.
On the next two drives, both teams were forced to punt. Stockton found the end zone again with 8:15 remaining in the second period, holding a 16-7 lead following the two point conversion. No one realized it at the time, but the Tiger rout was on. Pierce City answered with a short drive but the drive ended with a 45 yard field goal attempt that had no chance of being made. On the next drive, a three play Tiger possession, punctuated by a 70 yard race to the end zone off the left side by Chase Gregory, gave the Tigers a 22-7 halftime advantage.
In the third, Stockton’s second possession resulted in another score from 37 yards out, giving the Tigers a 30-7 lead. Another touchdown occurred at the 0:14 mark of the third, giving Stockton a 36-7 advantage. As the third quarter came to a close, Pierce City scored again but it was too little, too late. Holding a 36-14 lead in the final period, Stockton again found paydirt with 7:31 remaining in the game, now leading 43-14. That score would become the final score.
The Tigers had a total of 474 yards of offense, including another 200+ yard outing by Chase Gregory. Gregory had 213 yards on 17 carries while teammate Justin Anderson added 149 yards on 13 attempts. The Tigers averaged over 9 yards per carry for the game. Gregory scored four times while quarterback Cannon Brown and Justin Anderson each added a touchdown. On defense, an outstanding performance held Pierce City to just 187 yards of offense on 56 plays, including just 49 yards on the ground as the Eagles averaged just 1.5 yards per carry. Although individual players had terrific statistical performances, this win was a combination of outstanding coaching and each player contributing to the overall success of the team. It was by far the most complete performance by the Tigers this season.
The Tigers will wrap up the regular season, traveling to Sarcoxie this Friday followed by the final home regular season game which will include a senior night celebration against Miller on October 23rd. Districts will begin on Friday, October 30th.
