Playing on his home turf for the first time since missing out on the Backyard Brawl, Tylr Bolin burst through Webb City’s defensive line Friday and appeared on his way to a touchdown run of 60-some yards.

Reid Potts completed two touchdown passes to Michael Sportsman in Nixa’s 49-0 whipping of Carl Junction on Friday.

To a man, Nixa players are confident they will respond favorably to the Eagles’ first loss on the season.

AREA FOOTBALL LEADERS

WEBB CITY — Take it from Nixa safety Riley Childs, running up against Webb City tight end Gary Clinton is anything but child’s play.

Falling in line with Jacob Kronebusch’s unpredictable past, Ozark coach Chad Depee can’t predict where the Tigers sophomore will play in the future.

John Perry has done about everything he could have hoped for since arriving at Nixa last spring and getting to work.

Austin McCracken thinks he couldn’t ask for better teammates, from the senior he shares the quarterback job with to the consistently elite running back they share the backfield with.

Steven Ward felt his statistics spoke well of his efforts leading up to to the Backyard Brawl.

Count Kolyn Eli among the seemingly ever-growing number of Nixa players who feel revitalized under first-year Eagles coach John Perry.

Amidst all the hype, fanfare and heated words that help make the Backyard Brawl what it is, there can even be a bit of compassion between the Ozark and Nixa camps.

New Nixa football coach John Perry is experiencing all the hoopla leading up to the Backyard Brawl for the first time. But he feels like he’s already very familiar with the rivalry.