Friday Night Lights: Nixa VS. Carthage “Notables”.

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Opening night in Nixa Missouri was nothing more than electric. The Nixa Eagles and the Cathage Tigers went head to head last Friday night, both teams being state runner ups in 5A and 6A classes this was set up to be quite a duel. Nixa pulled off a surprisingly lopsided 42-13 victory over the Carthage Tigers but both teams had players that really caught my eye last weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1587352"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2366678,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a96d9eef3d97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1587352' first='Adam' last='McKnight'] proved why he is one of the best signal callers in the show me state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It felt like McKnight was in complete control last Friday night. Nixa unveiled a new hurry up offensive scheme against the Carthage Tigers and he was definitely the captain behind center. Whether it was on the ground or through the air the Missouri State commit was in a absolute flow state, running for multiple td's and adding a passing touchdown as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His most impressive throw was to his receiver Carter Mabe on a deep corner route, it was super spot on and one of those throws you kind of shake your head at. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2227060"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a96d9eef3dce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gredell didn't show up a lot on the stat sheet but sometimes that doesn't tell the whole story. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2227060' first='Maximus' last='Gredell'] might have had the best defensive performance on the night and to the blind eye you might have missed it. Gredell logged two tackles and 2 QB hurries, from face value your thinking not the great of a night. On the contrary Gredell had a fantastic night, he held all state running back [player_tooltip player_id='2214680' first='Landon' last='West'] to under 75 yards rushing and kept the state runner up Carthage Tigers offense pretty much non existent for most of the night. He achieved this feat by playing a super technical game of football, he was a menace in the trenches where the Tigers love to run power in. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season might be huge for young [player_tooltip player_id='2227060' first='Maximus' last='Gredell']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2326285"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2366679,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a96d9eef3df8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2326285' first='Jax' last='Adams'] was no doubt the player of the game last Friday night logging 3 touchdowns on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In previous articles I wrote that [player_tooltip player_id='2326285' first='Jax' last='Adams'] was the "Next man up" in the Nixa backfield, and oh boy did he prove that under the Friday night lights. Adams was explosive all night long and made the Tigers defense pay if they didn't make sure he was all the way down. Adams is such a physical runner for not being the biggest player on the field, he also showed versatility by lining up in the slot and catching multiple passes on the night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams might be in line for a big season like the many great Nixa running backs before him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2238458"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2366680,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a96d9eef3e1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilson always seems to make plays for this Nixa defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Nixa eagles defense held the Carthage Tigers at bay all night long which isn't a easy task. Wilson was a big part as to why they were able to achieve that feat. [player_tooltip player_id='2238458' first='Reed' last='Wilson'] always seems to be at the right place at the right time due to his high football IQ and willingness to come downhill and make a play in the run game. Not only did he show his chops in the run game, but he grabbed a magnificent interception over two receivers in the 4th quarter to virtually seal the deal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson's Senior year looks very promising. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2214680"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a96d9eef3e3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">West didn't fill the stat sheet but he was one tough runner last weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2214680' first='Landon' last='West'] had his work cut out for him against a very formidable Nixa Eagles defense and it was tough sledding for most of the night. Although it wasn't the game the all state running back is used to having, the kid just has no quit to his game. Even when it wasn't going his way he ran hard and always kept his legs churning forward. When he saw a slight glimmer of space he did make the Eagles pay for not being in those running lanes and moved the sticks for his squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is only week one and I see [player_tooltip player_id='2214680' first='Landon' last='West'] duplicating his Junior success of last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->