Tigers must stop rushing Neosho

By Joe Warren

Nevada Daily Mail

NEVADA. Mo. -- After facing two state powerhouses the past two weeks in Webb City and Carthage, the Nevada Tigers feel like they can get back to business in Week 6, as they travel to Neosho to take on the Wildcats.

While Neosho (4-1) certainly doesn't promise the big play like the Tigers have seen the past two games, Nevada head coach John Skeans says the Wildcats will definitely provide a challenge for the Tigers (2-3 overall, 0-2 in the Southwest Conference), who are trying to get back to .500.

"They're playing well right now," Skeans said of Neosho. "They've got some good athletes."

Neosho has won their past four games after losing the opener to Seneca.

Skeans is particularly worried about running back Tommy St. Louis and the Wildcat ground attack, which accounted for 304 yards in a 48-28 victory over El Dorado Springs last week.

The Wildcats, who will be playing their conference opener, will try to wear down Nevada, and that's got Skeans concerned.

"They don't throw a whole lot, they like to run," Skeans said. "They're a power running team. They like to grind it out and make drives."

St. Louis is the cornerstone for the Wildcat attack. His 684 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns are both second in the conference behind Carthage's Caleb Sanders.

He's also averaging a gaudy 8.8 yards per carry.

"We're expecting to see a lot of runs," Skeans said.

Neosho has shown the ability to hit the big play in the passing game, as senior Jordan Ray has three touchdowns on only seven receptions. Neosho doesn't pass much though, throwing the ball a total of 12 times the past three games (all victories).

The Tigers counter with a dual-headed running attack consisting of Jake Anderson (40 carries, 273 yards) and Jacob Cherry (48 car., 235 yds).

The Tigers have also shown the ability to air it out, as junior quarterback Ronnie Herda has 989 yards through the air on 59-for-110 passing and 10 scores.

Herda's favorite target has been sophomore Colby Shepherd, who has been uncoverable most of the season to the tune of 460 yards on 19 receptions (24.2 yards per catch) and four touchdowns.

Dan Lovinger (13 rec., 258 yds) and Cherry (17 rec., 208 yds) give Herda plenty of options when the spread attack takes to the air.

The two teams are very offensively oriented, even if they reach their means in different ways. That has Skeans excited about the possibility of finally facing a team that isn't carrying a top-five ranking.

"I think we match up pretty well (with each other)," Skeans said. "It's going to be a good football game. It's going to be one of the better games in the area, I think."