Joplin players storm onto the field before the game. The Eagles had an undefeated record going into Friday’s game and averaged 51.5 points per game.

Joplin’s Isaiah Davis, senior, and Eli Eminger, senior, hold up the jersey of deceased player Kadin Roberts-Day during the coin toss. “Our School has come together around him,” said Isaiah Davis, Joplin’s leading running back, “That energy drives us every game, and every practice.”

Trayshawn Thomas, junior, falls into the endzone while being tackled by Mac Cook, Senior, from Marquette. Joplin would take a quick lead, scoring 14 points in just 4 minutes.

Julian Bledsoe, senior, Tackles Joplin’s Nathan Glades as he rushes. Joplin would score on this drive, making the score 28-0 early in the second quarter.

Payton Cathey, senior, cheers on the Mustangs alongside the rest of Stang Gang. “We drove 5 hours, we weren’t going to lose our energy so quickly.” Cathey said.

Christopher Kreh, junior, rushes up the middle during a drive right before the end of the first half. Kreh would score this drive off a pass, MHS’ only score of the game.

Aries Gilyard, senior, gets brought down by Joplin’s safety Nathan Glades, junior. During this ten minute long drive, which spanned almost the entirety of the third quarter, Marquette would move sixty yards down field, but come up scoreless. Stang Gang’s alex Nolker, senior, said, “That Drive took a lot out of the crowd, It hurt that we used up all that time and got nothing.”

Nathan Glades, senior, rushes near the goal line in the 4th quarter. Joplin would score one more touchdown before the end of the game, making it 35-7.

Seniors Julian Bledsoe and Chase Callahan are consoled by team alumni Tyler Pauley. “For a lot these guys that are graduating, they’re leaving not just this team, but the sport as a whole, So It is very emotional for everyone, especially on a team like this.” Pauley, who played his senior for the 8-3 Conference Championship MHS team in 2017, said.

Seniors Chase Callahan and Ben Cohen provide solace to each other as the team listen meets at the end. “It all goes by way faster than you think it would,” Cohen said, “Four years and your done.”

Micheal Stewart, Head Coach, Addresses the team after the season ending defeated. “This is the best Marquette Team of all time.” Stewart said, “This is why everything matters, every little piece came together and we made something beautiful.”