Lots of love for Falcons, but Eagles agree, ‘On the field it’s all business and we took care of business’
Published 5:59 am Thursday, November 12, 2026
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SPRINGFIELD — It wasn’t simply happenstance that one of the best examples of great sportsmanship one will ever see occurred during Nixa’s Class 4 District 5 final 1-0 win against Glendale earlier this week.
When Eagles defender Jackson Lutzke went to the turf while enduring a leg cramp, he received an assist from a Falcons player who helped stretch his leg in the air for a couple minutes.
After the classic match, there were plenty of hugs and handshakes exchanged.
Many of the players on both sides are actually more accustomed to playing with each other than against each other. They’re club ball teammates with Sporting Springfield.
Nixa ‘keeper Jackson Smith has the utmost respect for Glendale center back Dylan Moran and counts him as a friend, but most definitely wanted to get the best of him and the Falcons.
“Off the field, we’re great friends and talk to each other all the time. Love Dylan,” Smith said. “But we’re competitive with each other going into these games and there’s bickering going on back and forth. On the field, it’s all business and we took care of business.”
Nixa forward Gavin Shaw, who netted the Eagles’ winning goal, echoed Smith’s sentiments.
“I have great relationships with all of them and have played with them for several years,” Shaw said. “It’s always fun talking to them throughout a game. It’s unfortunate that we had to (knock) them out, but better them than us.”
It was the third straight year Nixa and Glendale played for a District title. The Falcons had won the programs’ previous five matchups.
The Eagles (23-3) move on to play at Lee’s Summit West (14-7) in a Quarterfinal on Saturday.
