Big-play NHS readies for Butler

First-year Nevada High School head football coach Shannon Jolley couldn't have drawn up the big plays any better on the chalkboard in the Tigers' locker room.

Nevada then went out and executed nearly to perfection on the field last Friday, just like the chalk talk in the days leading up to their 46-0 whacking of El Dorado Springs.

"A lot of things fell into place, but it's not always going to be like that," said Jolley, whose 1-1 Nevada team travels to Butler (0-2) for a 7 p.m. kickoff Frida at Deaton Thomas Field.

"We're going to face teams that have stronger offenses and defenses, but what I was most proud of was the way we carried out our game plan. (The Tigers) bought into it initially at the beginning of the week, and buying into a game plan and executing it sometimes is two different things."

As it turned out, the Tigers took the playbook and ran with it. They went for the jugular in the early going, and never let up, getting their first touchdown on a perfectly executed inside reverse to junior speedster Colby Shepherd for a 7-0 lead at the 7:31 mark in the first quarter, the first of four opening-quarter touchdowns.

The avalanche of points came next. Nevada would score their next three touchdowns during a one-minute, 12-second stretch -- from the 5:28 mark until the 4:16 mark -- which effectively turned the game into a laugher.

Ralph Pokorny/Daily Mail ABOVE, seniors Dan Lovinger (8) and Aaron Dade (27) of Nevada High School were part of an opportunistic special-teams play last Friday. Lovinger jarred the ball loose from El Dorado Springs return specialist Trenton Leonard on a kickoff, with Taylor Chapman recovering for the Tigers. BELOW, The play came on the heels of Lovinger's wide-open 33-yard scoring reception from quarterback Ronnie Herda. [Click to enlarge]

l NHS quarterback Ronnie Herda raced untouched up the middle of the field for a 24-yard touchdown run on a naked bootleg for a 14-0 lead.

l After Tigers cornerback Aaron Dade gave the ball back to the Tigers on an interception, Herda connected with Dan Lovinger on the first play of the drive, a 33-yard scoring strike for a 20-0 lead.

l Lovinger then caused an El Dorado Springs fumble on the ensuing kickoff, with teammate Dade assisting and Taylor Chapman recovering. Again on first down, Herda hooked up with Shepherd for a 22-yard shovel pass for a touchdown as the duo provided the offensive bookends that put the squeeze on the Bulldogs.

So where do the Tigers go from here? After the Butler game, the schedule gets much tougher with a road game at Carthage on Sept. 21 to open the Southwest Conference play, followed by a home date on Sept. 28 against conference powerhouse Webb City and another tilt against a conference foe, Neosho, on Oct. 5.

How do the Tigers keep the ball rolling? Just keep living in the moment, according to Jolley.

"I think the key to it is to keep everything crisp," Jolley said of his team still learning his playbook and system. "I think it's a preparation thing.

"Once the kids buy into our preparation and see the rewards that you gain by being prepared, it kind of makes the week go really fast. It really comes and goes before you know it, but they're enjoying themselves."

Butler is comning off a 36-20 road loss to Higginsville.

"They played a lot better the second week than they did the first week," Jolley said. "I think it's a team that's going to be excited about us coming to Butler.

"Not so much of being a rival, but being a neighbor. We expect a good contest with Butler."

In the meantime, Nevada made mincemeat of El Dorado Springs, allowing the Bulldogs just two first downs, three passing yards and 47 yards in total offense in a complete domination in the Tigers' home opener.

Last Friday's game also marked the first victory at Nevada for Jolley, who was hired in the offseason to turn around the Tigers' football fortunes after serving as an assistant last year at Jefferson City High School. Before that, he coached School of the Osage from a loser into a winner.

Nevada also enshrined its 1973 football team, along with legendary University of Missouri sports contributor and NHS alum Herb Bunker, into the school's Wall of Fame last Friday.

"It was exciting for me because it was my first home game at Nevada," Jolley said, "and to have such quality individuals there, it meant a lot to the kids, too.

"They didn't take it for granted. They appreciated those guys being there."

Nevada High School

Tigers Varsity Football

PROBABLE STARTERS

Crimson Offense

Crimson Defense

32 LCB Colby Shepherd 5-7 145 Jr.

Specialists

Long snapper -- Lovinger; Punter -- Ronnie Herda; Placekicker -- Ronnie Herda; Kick-returners -- Shepherd, Lovinger, Ben Compton -- 5-10, 145, Sr.