For the first time in three weeks for North Callaway, the big offensive output was one-sided.
The Thunderbirds split shootouts the previous two weeks but defeated Eastern Missouri Conference foe …
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For the first time in three weeks for North Callaway, the big offensive output was one-sided.
The Thunderbirds split shootouts the previous two weeks but defeated Eastern Missouri Conference foe Louisiana 58-15 at home on Friday for Homecoming. North Callaway (4-2, 3-0 EMO) finished with 520 yards of offense while Louisiana (4-2, 2-2 EMO) had 134 offensive yards.
North Callaway led 36-15 at halftime, so head coach Kevin O’Neal said it was the best defensive game in a while for the Thunderbirds.
“Obviously, we didn’t give up 80 points, so that’s better,” O’Neal said, jokingly. “We were a little more aggressive. The kids did well attacking the football. I’m proud of our progress.”
Going into the game, O’Neal said North Callaway was concerned about Donnell Griffith. He broke free for a 65-yard touchdown, but Louisiana only mustered six more rushing yards.
“He was the main thing that we wanted to stop,” O’Neal said. “He did get loose on a long touchdown run tonight where we didn’t tackle the best. For the most part up front, we did a much better job of assignment football and fitting where we’re supposed to fit in the run game.”
On Homecoming, every senior member on the court scored a touchdown and had one by halftime. Coltyn O’Neal threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns on 15-for-24 passing and he ran for 35 yards and two rushing touchdowns. O’Neal threw a touchdown pass to Brandon Biggers, Collin Moore ran for 156 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries, and Jaiden Galbreath ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
“We did a good job of spreading the ball offensively,” O’Neal said. “We did a good job for the most part up front, too. We have a couple seniors – Vince Houchins and Gunnar Wenneker – on there.”
North Callaway has three more conference games on its schedule and then districts. The Thunderbirds play three losing teams – Mark Twain (1-5), Van-Far (1-5) and Wright City (2-4) – to hopefully finish undefeated in the EMO conference and repeat as champions. They play at Mark Twain at 7 p.m. Friday.
“We’re in the spot where we want to be,” O’Neal said. “When you’re on the top of the conference, you’re circled on everybody’s schedule and you’re going to get everybody’s best game. We have to make sure we don’t let up and we continue to get better next week.”
