Missouri Class 5 championship preview: Holt vs. Webb City

There will be a new Missouri Class 5 champion crowned on Friday night in Columbia and it will either be a familiar name or a new one in this position for the first time in school history. <h5><strong>HOLT INDIANS (13-0)</strong></h5> <strong>TEAM INFO</strong> It has been a long road for Holt to get to this point. The Indians went 3-27 over three seasons from 2013-15, including 0-10 in 2015, before slowing climbing from there to two wins in 2016, four wins each in 2017 and 2018 before going 6-4 in 2019. Holt broke through for an 8-1 campaign in 2020 before having to forfeit a playoff matchup against Francis Howell due to COVID-19 issues. But the Indians came back even stronger this fall with 13 consecutive wins to advance to the state title game for the first time in school history. Holt is averaging 44.4 points per game and allowing 13.6. <strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37579" first="Kyle" last="Wuebbeling"] - 2022 RB</strong> A 6-foot, 200-pounder, Wuebbeling has been a monster for Holt all season, but particularly in the playoffs. He has rushed for 1,631 yards, racked up 125 receiving yards and scored 23 total touchdowns in 12 games. In the last four games, he’s rushed for 673 yards and 11 touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37715" first="Owen" last="Merrell"] - 2023 QB</strong> The news that Holt standout 2022 <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="37580" first="Cooper" last="Brown"]</strong> suffered a broken clavicle and would miss the state championship game is heartbreaking because the record-setting gunslinger has been one of the driving forces behind Holt’s turnaround and dream season. Merrell, who has attempted just 15 passes this season, gets put in the spotlight. In the semifinals, against Fort Osage, he entered in relief of Brown, ran 13 times for 102 yards and a touchdown and completed 11 of 14 passes for 49 yards. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37652" first="Jackson" last="Smith"] - 2022 WR</strong> Smith is a dynamic playmaker who put up huge numbers this fall and over the past three seasons. He has 102 receptions for 1,128 yards and 20 total touchdowns, which includes two return scores and a rushing touchdown. A year ago, as a junior, Smith caught 59 passes for 714 yards and scored 16 total touchdowns in nine games. As a sophomore he caught 55 passes for 1,029 yards and scored 14 total touchdowns. He has 54 career touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="96295" first="Zakhi" last="Johnson"] - 2022 LB</strong> A 5-11, 180-pounder, Johnson is a tackling machine. He is credited with a team-high 138 tackles to go along with two sacks and an interception. Johnson just flies around and makes plays wherever he lines up, which is the same that can be said about junior LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104128" first="Kaden" last="Moore"]</strong>, who has 107 tackles, two fumble recoveries and one sack. <h5><strong>WEBB CITY CARDINALS (10-3)</strong></h5> <strong>TEAM INFO</strong> The Cardinals fell to 4-3 on October 8 after a 41-27 loss at Nixa, but have rebounded to win six straight games to earn a berth in the title game. The Cardinals have won 15 state championships, with the last coming in 2019, and have now won 10 or more games in 11 of the last 12 seasons. The 15 state titles have Webb City tied with Valle Catholic for the most in Missouri State High School Activities Association history. These Cardinals are averaging 39.8 points per game and allowing 21.5. <strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="232303" first="Cade" last="Wilson"] - 2022 RB</strong> Wilson is the Webb City’s big gun. He’s rushed for 1,393 yards and scored 25 total touchdowns. Against top-ranked Jackson, in the semifinals, Wilson rushed for 141 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries. He’s not the biggest running back out there at 5-9 and 165 pounds, but he’s quick, fast and tough. You can bet the Holt defense will be focused on Wilson all night. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="242721" first="DuPree" last="Jackson"] - 2022 RB</strong> If the Holt defense is focused on Wilson, you could see Jackson have a big game for the Cardinals. He’ll enter Friday’s contest with 924 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns in 11 games. Jackson was the team’s second-leading rusher a year ago with 836 yards. He was also second on the team with 13 total touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="242723" first="Cohl" last="Vaden"] - 2022 QB</strong> Vaden doesn’t have to throw very often, but he is a threat in the passing game. He’s averaging 100 passing yards per game, over nine games, with nine touchdowns against three interceptions. He’s also dangerous in the option game, with his reads and decisions as well as his legs. He has 450 yards rushing and seven scores. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="242730" first="Dante" last="Washington"] - 2023 WR-DB</strong> Washington is a playmaker anywhere he lines up on the field, whether it’s at wide receiver, defensive back or kick returner. He has scored nine touchdowns — eight receiving and one return – in 10 games. He leads the Cardinals with 28 receptions and 612 receiving yards and also with five interceptions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="242724" first="Cooper" last="Crouch"] - 2022 MLB</strong> A 6-1, 215-pounder who is committed to Crowder College for baseball (as a pitcher), Crouch leads the defense with 129 tackles in 13 games. He and junior 6-2, 205-pound DE-LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="242725" first="Lucas" last="Ott"]</strong> (119 tackles) are always around the ball. <em><strong>You can follow Nate Latsch on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/natelatsch">@natelatsch</a>.</strong></em> &nbsp;