In High School Football Friday night, one area team won their Homecoming Game, one won in overtime, and one did both.
The team that did both was the Branson Pirates, as they trailed their entire contest against Neosho only to tie it late in the fourth quarter and claim the win in overtime 41-34. The visiting Wildcats, searching for their first win of the year, hit several big plays while holding the Pirate offense to field goals twice building their lead to 11 points. The turning point in the game came in the fourth quarter when Neosho appeared to put the game away with a 53 yard touchdown pass only to have the receiver get flagged for a personal foul and coupled with a delay of game, forced the Wildcats to try the conversion from the 23 yard-line which they missed. Down only eight, Branson marched down the field. The drive, which included a long run by Gage Depee, was finished off on a pass to Depee from Luke McCormick, then McCormick made the 2 point conversion.
In overtime, McCormick scored on a one yard run, then the Wildcats were stopped as they made a first down but fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Pirates to secure the win. Branson is 3-3, getting back to back wins for the first time since 2020.
Meanwhile, the other overtime winner was the Forsyth Panthers, who grabbed a 27-20 at Diamond. Rollie Fisher scored the game winner from a yard out in overtime to secure the win. The Panthers are now 5-1 for the season.
The other Homecoming winner was the Harrison Goblins, who rolled over Prairie Grove 52-12. The visiting Tigers scored the first and last touchdowns in the game but the Goblins scored 52 in a row in between, Quarterback Mason Ketterman threw for a touchdown and rushed for two others in the Goblin win, which raises their record to 3-2 for the season.
The other MOARK Teams had tough nights as both lost on the road, Reeds Spring to Class 3 Number Two Ranked Seneca 54-21 while Hollister was shutout at Rogersville 27-0.
Scores
Harrison 52 Prairie Grove 12 Shiloh Christian 53 Clarksville 10
Branson 41 Neosho 34 OT Alma 56 Farmington 35
Forsyth 27 Diamond 20 OT Dardanelle 48 Pea Ridge 20
Seneca 54 Reeds Spring 21 Ozark 41 Green Forest 6
Rogersville 27 Hollister 0 Gentry 54 Berryville 7
Lamar 49 McDonald County 21 Melbourne 39 Yellville-Summit 6
Marionville 31 Pierce City 3
Webb City 43 Willard 16
Nixa 47 Carl Junction 0
Ava 59 Houston 31
Republic 38 Joplin 15
.Nevada 44 Cassville 21
Mt. Vernon 40 Catholic 0
Camdenton 34 Bolivar 15 S
Fair Grove 49 Strafford 14
Carthage 34 Ozark 20 L/OT
Aurora 35 Marshfield 0
Rolla 67 Parkview 42
East Newton 26 Monett 21
St. Dominic 43 Central 6
Skyline 28 Clever 15
Liberty 35 Mountain Grove 26
Salem 42 Willow Springs 12
Butler 24 Buffalo 7
Area Athletes Win District, Sectional Championships, Move On
