Third Eagles-Falcons District final in three years promises to be entertaining
Published 8:47 pm Sunday, November 8, 2026
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Nixa has featured closers and starters on its way making it back to the Class 4 District 5 championship match.
At the forefront of the Eagles’ offense that may be on its way to a single-season school scoring record has been elite ball-handling.
Whether near midfield, along the touchlines, during long possessions or short offensive series, Nixa’s dribbling has consistently put the Eagles in position to score.
Nixa (22-3) has 118 goals going into Monday’s title tilt versus Glendale (18-5-1).
“We have great attackers who like go forward and take their guy on,” midfielder Jake Harvey said. “When we’re attacking well and getting good matchups on the wides, we go as fast as we can. That’s what we’re great at.
“We can slow it down, as well,” he added. “We’re good at keeping the ball when we slow it down and do more passing. We can pick and choose our times. That’s helped us score 100-some goals.”
“Going at people is something we do well,” forward Spencer Rinne said. “Reps gives you control over the ball. Really, it’s just about hard work.”
Nixa’s average of 4.7 goals a match is the program’s high dating back to 2009. Over the past 18 seasons, the Eagles have neared that scoring pace only once before. They averaged 4.3 goals in 2011.
Even in Nixa’s Class 4 Final Four 2015 season, the Eagles weren’t scoring at their current pace. Their 2015 squad featuring school career scoring leader Joey Clem averaged 3.8 goals.
Nixa has been shut out just once, a 1-0 setback at the hands of Chaminade.
The Eagles’ nightly norm in 16 matches against SWMO opponents has been 5.8 goals.
Nixa is 15-1 versus SWMO foes, with the lone blemish being a 3-2 setback to Glendale last month.
Glendale beat Nixa in District finals in both 2025 and 2024 and overall has won five straight against the Eagles. Prior to the Eagles’ 2023 District win against the Falcons, Glendale also won five straight against Nixa from 2020-2023.
The Falcons are led this season by midfielder Dylan Moran and forward Kruse Mitchell. They are averaging 3.4 goals a match.
“They’re very big and athletic,” Eagles forward Spencer Rinne said. “Whoever wants it more is going to win.”
“A really quick, fast-paced game is what we’re expecting,” Harvey said. “First game against them, we struggled a little bit, but found our stride as the game went along. We want to get back at Glendale. It’s a great opportunity for us.”
