The Neosho Wildcats were on a roll offensively against the Waynesville Tigers Friday, Sept. 19.
Neosho racked up 676 yards of total offense in posting a 72-21 victory over Waynesville in Central Ozark Conference action at Tiger Stadium.
That left Waynesville 0-4. Neosho stayed undefeated at 4-0.
It was a game of big plays for the Wildcats. Neosho had a 14-0 lead 7:32 into the first period on a 58-yard TD pass from junior quarterback Blayne Patterson to junior wideout Haven Plummer and on a 94-yard scoring run by Patterson.
The Wildcats would make it 21-0 on their third offensive possession with a 39-yard breakaway run by senior running back Keisean Rhone.
Waynesville would get on the scoreboard at the 3:03 mark of the first quarter on a special teams play. The Tigers boomed a 47-yard punt, which Neosho fumbled in the endzone. Tiger senior Mason Scheller recovered the ball in the endzone for the touchdown. Senior Alexander Valencia added the PAT.
Neosho would wrap up the first-quarter scoring with another long pass play, as Patterson hit senior wideout Brock Pyle with a 58-yard TD reception at the :49 mark. It was 35-7 entering the second period.
On the first play from scrimmage of the second quarter Rhone would score again, this time on a 56-yard touchdown run.
Following a Tiger punt Neosho would make it 49-7 with 7:08 remaining in the half when Patterson hit Plummer with a 44-yard TD pass.
The Tigers added their second touchdown late in the first half. After a 29-yard kickoff return by sophomore Isaiah Williams, WHS scored on a 46-yard, nine-play drive. The Tigers converted three first downs during the drive and got the TD on a nine-yard run by sophomore Samuel Borno-Chrispin at the 3:31 mark of the second period.
However, Neosho would score once more 1:29 later, as Patterson again went to the air and found Plummer. Plummer broke several tackles on the 52-yard reception, and it was 56-14 at halftime.
Three plays from scrimmage into the second half the Wildcats would score on a safety, as a bad punt snap was downed in the endzone.
With the turbo clock going throughout the second half, Neosho would score once more in the quick third period on a 54-yard run by backup sophomore Easton White.
Each team would score a TD in the fourth quarter.
Waynesville sophomore quarterback Ryder Wells completed 12 passes and senior Tyshawn Byrd rushed for more than 70 yards for the Tigers.
Rhone erupted for 277 rushing yards on 10 carries while Patterson ran for 112 yards for the Wildcats, who rushed for 473 yards and passed for 203. Patterson hit on 5-of-9 passes for 180 yards.
Waynesville is slated to play at Ozark Friday, Sept. 26 (7 p.m. kickoff).
