An improbable and exceptionally quick climb up the ranks for Nixa’s DeSean Downs and Evann Long has culminated in their inclusion to the All-COC First-Team.

One of the biggest improvements Nixa made this season was holding onto the football. The Eagles coughed up the pigskin on only four occasions, down from 14 a year ago.

Nixa Statistical Leaders 

If not for a referee with perhaps a bit too much caffeine in his system last Friday not gaining some semblance of composure, Ozark could be without Tylr Bolin entering Districts.

Skout Love and Tylr Bolin celebrate an Ozark touchdown versus Carthage on Friday.

After enduring a week off full of frustration, Ozark quarterback Chance Strickler now faces a week off full of anticipation.

Nixa remained among the COC teams yet to beat Webb City, as the Eagles bowed to the Cardinals 34-0 Friday.

Ozark, Nixa Statistical Leaders

WEBB CITY — Playing COC heavyweights Joplin and Webb City back-to-back weeks no doubt took a toll on Ozark as the Tigers fell to the Cardinals 65-0 Friday.

We’re still two Friday nights from the end of regular-season play mind you. But all signs point to Ozark and Nixa meeting for a second time this season in the Class 5 District 6 semifinal round.

Appropriately, Nixa’s Matthew Vorse was rewarded with his time to shine Friday when he put his thinking cap on, kept his head up and slowed himself down.

Ozark couldn’t keep Joplin from reaching the end zone on any of the Eagles’ six first-half possessions Friday and the visitors even scored when they didn’t have the ball.

John C. Reilly has appeared in only one movie with Will Ferrell since they starred together in “Step Brothers” 11 years ago. Reilly’s portrayal of Stonewall Jackson in “Anchorman II — The Legend Continues” was as forgettable as the movie.