Nevada entertains Monett in final game of season

Nevada High School will attempt to finish its football season on an upswing tonight, but the Tigers have a tough task at hand.

Nevada (2-7 overall, 0-2 district) entertains Monett (8-1, 2-0), the Class 3 District 11 champion, at Logan Field with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

"We've got a huge amount to play for," Nevada first-year head coach Shannon Jolley said. "With our new staff we have this year we haven't met the expectations we set out this year.

"Not having won more contests, it's important for us to finish strong not only to send seniors out on a positive note but to give the younger players something to be excited about next year. We're going there and trying to get that win and finish with a 3-7 record."

Monett has already clinched the district championship due to its head-to-head victories over district foes Seneca and Cassville.

"Anytime anyone comes in approaching the state playoffs there is a risk. But there is not any high school football coach who wants to risk losing a game," Jolley said. "There is the injury risk, but there is also momentum. I'm sure Monett will come in here ready to play with their starting 11 and that it's going to be a good contest."

Monett, co-champions of the Big 8, defeated Cassville 21-20 in overtime last week to clinch the district.

"Everything they do stems from the run. They are a balanced football team where they mix the run and the pass," Jolley said. "They run and throw the ball well."

The Cubs also possess a sound 4-4 defense and have allowed just 108 points on the season.

"Monett doesn't make a lot of mistakes," Jolley said. "They are pretty solid and pretty consistent in what they do.

"Most coaches will tell you that if you score 20 or 21 points a game most of the time you will win the football game. So if you think about allowing just 12 points a game you are going to be in pretty good shape throughout the year."

Although the win total didn't take a leap forward in Jolley's first year -- the Tigers won two games last season and seven over the previous three years -- an important foundation has been laid for a promising future.

The first step in improving a football program often starts with numbers of players. Last year the Tigers finished the season with approximately 40 kids and this year Nevada will have just under 80 players at season's end.

"That was the main purpose for us when we came to Nevada. We wanted to provide every kid in Nevada the opportunity to play football," Jolley said. "We want to take those numbers and keep them in the program and develop players as you go."