Mission Accomplished: East Prairie outguns Kelly 40-20

East Prairie's Tavion Ware (6) stiffarms a defender during a 40-20 win at Kelly on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

BENTON, Mo. — A lean, mean, winning machine.

East Prairie proved again it is an elite squadron, dominating at Kelly and securing a 40-20 victory on Friday, Oct. 11.

“I've continued to stress the importance of effort and physicality, and week after week, we're proving that we're improving in those areas,” said East Prairie coach Ian Penrod. “It was on full display throughout the game. We were dominant in all phases, from offense to defense to special teams.”

East Prairie's Connor Marcum (5) breaks free for a long touchdown run during a 40-20 win at Kelly on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

The Eagles (5-2, 3-1 SEMO Central) have already matched their win total from the previous two seasons combined. This remarkable turnaround is even more impressive given the team's small roster size, which has become a defining characteristic of their operation.

“These kids have batten down the hatches,” Penrod said. “They show up at 6 a.m. and don’t miss anything.

“There may not be very many of us and other teams might look like they have an army, but we’re special forces. That’s not for everyone; you must be a different cut to make it. Our 25 [players] give it everything they got every single day. We love them and wouldn’t trade them for the world.”

Kelly's Skyler Still (3) throws during a 40-20 loss to East Prairie on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Demonstrating strategic patience, East Prairie’s first tactical victory came with Tavion Ware’s fourth-down sack, which forced the Hawks (2-5, 1-3 SEMO Central) into a turnover on downs.

This set the stage for the Eagles to launch a precise surgical strike with a 35-yard touchdown run by Connor Marcum.

Not content with just one strike, Marcum followed up with an 18-yard touchdown run on the team’s next possession.

East Prairie's Ty Wallace (1) runs during a 40-20 win at Kelly on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“The success this year means a lot,” said senior quarterback Ty Wallace. “We’ve been working hard and getting things done.”

The defensive unit ambushed the Hawks once again, forcing another turnover on downs after Ware’s tackle for a loss on fourth down.

The Eagles capitalized on this opportunity, with Ware himself powering through the defense for a 9-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 20-0 with 3:43 left in the first half.

Kelly's Ryder Krauss (4) runs during a 40-20 loss to East Prairie on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

However, Kelly retaliated with a swift counterattack, as Skyler Still connected with Grant Burleson for a 91-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 20-8.

The Hawks forced a punt on the ensuing drive and sought to narrow the lead before halftime, but a SportsCenter moment by Ware dashed those hopes.

In a move more commonly seen in little league than high school football, Ware met a Kelly ball carrier in the backfield, stripped the ball with a lightning-fast, almost handoff-like motion, and sprinted into the end zone for a touchdown.

Ware’s jaw-dropping play not only widened the lead to 28-6 but also dealt a significant psychological blow to the Hawks.

“We played with intensity and drive,” Marcum said. “Even when it got tough, we kept pushing.”

East Prairie’s defense continued to wreak havoc, forcing and recovering another fumble just before halftime.

The opening drive of the second half saw Cooper McKinley forced a fumble, which was recovered by Brian Bazan. This marked the third consecutive turnover caused by East Prairie's relentless defense.

The takeaway was quickly converted into points, with Ware plunging into the endzone for a 3-yard run, increasing the lead to 34-6 with 7:48 left in the third quarter.

The Eagles’ streak of creating turnovers continued unabated with Ty Wallace’s interception, further crippling the Hawks’ already struggling offense, which managed just 35 total rushing yards in the game.

East Prairie’s defense has undergone a miracle makeover this season, slashing their points allowed by a staggering 25.8 points per game, from a mind-boggling 43.8 in 2023 to a stingy 18 this season.

That's a drastic improvement, especially considering they were giving up a touchdown on every fifth defensive play last year.

“The kids are playing lights out,” Penrod said. "Our defense has made a night-and-day difference. After years of struggling, these kids have turned it around and are now a real strength for our team.

“I couldn't be prouder because they've gone from being a liability to a major asset. That’s a credit to the commitment of these players and the entire coaching staff.”

Kelly's resilient offense momentarily halted the momentum with a determined 2-yard touchdown run by Ryder Krauss, narrowing the gap to 34-12 with just over five minutes remaining.

But Marcum eradicated any chance of a comeback with an explosive 47-yard touchdown run to make it 3:31 left in the game.

“[Marcum] keeps being a home run hitter,” Penrod said. “He only touches the ball a few times a game but it seems like he’s scoring almost every time he does.”

A late touchdown, a 25-yard reception by Burleson from Still with 2:18 left, was a mere formality.

Kelly's offensive strategy shifted in the second half, with the vertical attack becoming a focal point. This allowed Burleson to showcase his talents, finishing with eight receptions for 225 yards and two touchdowns.

“We made some adjustments and got [Still] out from under center and into the shotgun because we were having issues protecting,” said Kelly coach Lance Powers. “It was just one of those nights. East Prairie had our number, but our boys competed all night long and I’m happy with that.”

The lethal duo of Ware and Marcum fueled the Eagles’ offensive firepower, showcasing an exceptional combination of agility, productivity, and efficiency.

Ware, the workhorse of the offense, carried the load with 197 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries.

“[Ware] ran the ball great,” Penrod said. “We try to roll him in-and-out with as many guys as possible, but even when he’s exhausted, he’s fighting to stay on the field. We try to give me a breather but he doesn’t want it. He’s a warrior.”

Marcum consistently broke tackles and found open space, scoring three touchdowns and gaining 120 yards on just six carries.

“They really are thunder and lightning,” Penrod said. “It makes a world of difference that we’re able to use those guys in a multitude of ways.”

The Eagles improved to 6-2 all-time against the Hawks.

The victory was a significant step forward, but East Prairie must quickly shift its focus to the upcoming Mississippi County rivalry game against Charleston (5-2, 4-1 SEMO South) next Friday. The two teams have been evenly matched in recent years, splitting their last six meetings.

“We just have to do the best we possibly can,” Marcum said. “We all look forward to this game because it’s one of the biggest of the year, emotionally and mentally. We just want to come out and get a big win.”

Kelly returns to action at Soldan International Studies with Sumner (1-5) on Saturday, Oct. 19.