Football Friday: Branson Falls, Forsyth, Hollister Advance, Harrison Clinches

The final October Friday in the High School Football season includes opening District Games in Missouri while the countdown to the end of the regular season in Arkansas continues.

Branson
The Lebanon Yellow Jackets took advantage of a short field for their first touchdown and then a fumble recovery shortly after that for their second score and rolled from there shutting out the Pirates 40-0 in their first round Class 5 District Game in Lebanon. The Pirates did not advance the ball past the Lebanon 35 yard line until the final series of the game, when they got the ball inside the 5 yard line in the final seconds but could not get a play off before the clock ran out. Branson finishes the season with a 1-9 record.

Forsyth
The Panthers hosted the most exciting contest involving Lakes Area teams as they score and get a two point conversion on the final plays of the game to escape an upset bid by Springfield Catholic 22-21. The Panthers had led most of the game but the Irish scored 21 unanswered points to take a 21-14 lead with just under a minute to go. The Panthers responded by moving the ball downfield and got the ball to the 1 yard line with 1.9 seconds left before Braxton Gross scored rushed for the touchdown then the Panthers handed him the ball again after deciding to go for two and the win. The Panthers now travel to Mt. Vernon for the next round of the playoffs.

Hollister
The Tigers hosted East Newton, a team they only beat by seven points in the regular season. The rematch proved to be different as the Tigers built a  big lead and rolled to a  37-7 win. The Tigers got on the board with three touchdowns in the first half and held the Patriots out of the end zone until the second half. The win sends the Tigers to Seneca and a match-up with the top seeded Indians. 

Harrison
The Goblins clinched a spot in the 5A State Playoffs as they roll to a 56-0 win at Clarksville. Harrison will finish no worse than fourth in the 5A West Standings and getting them a spot in the playoffs which begins in two weeks. The Goblins will close out the regular season next week at home against Pea Ridge. 

Scores
Missouri District Playoffs
Class 6
Nixa 35 Ozark 7
Ray-Pec 56 Joplin 42
Lee's Summit West 21 Kickapoo 10

Class 5
Lebanon 40 Branson 0
Waynesville 18 Central 0
Rolla 28 Glendale 25

Class 4
Willard 43 Neosho 29
Republic 52 Parkview 8

Class 3
Cassville 24 Aurora 21
Clinton 37 Buffalo 34

Class 2
Forsyth 22 Catholic 21
Hollister 37 East Newton 7
Mt. Vernon 65 Clever 0

Arkansas Regular Season
Harrison 56 Clarksville 0
Shiloh Christian 55 Prairie Grove 22
Alma 59 Dardanelle 14
Farmington 49 Pea Ridge 16
Lincoln 49 Berryville 13
Newport 61 Yellville-Summit 16
Huntsville 46 Green Forest 41