By Joseph Utterback

One of the 32 spots in the Class 4 playoff bracket is now reserved for Moberly after last Friday night’s home win against Kirksville. The Spartans beat their North Central Missouri Conference rivals in a 35-21 victory that doubled as a win in both conference and district play, as well as a senior night victory. Moberly now holds a 6-3 record (4-1 NCMC; 2-0 Class 4 District 13) and have at least two games left with their talented 2011 class.

Chris Ewens was set to have a big game from the start taking the opening kickoff 90 yards for the first of his four touchdowns on the night. After a Kirksville punt and a rush by sophomore running back Dakota Halley that put Moberly 25 yards from the end zone, senior quarterback Ben Stoecklein found Ewens down the field for a receiving score.

Kirksville used running back Parker Osborn to drive down to the 2-yard line then sent him in for the touchdown. After a tipped extra point attempt, Moberly led 14-6.

Stoecklein would utilize the receiving speed of Ewens and running power of Halley to drive down the field but Moberly was forced to a fourth down situation. They switched things up trying to pass to Halley out of the backfield to convert but the incompletion meant Kirksville taking over on downs. “The North”, as Kirksville has come to be known in Moberly, took advantage with a score and a two point conversion to tie the game at 14 all.

With 4:00 left in the half Moberly tried to grab the lead but were cornered into a punting situation. However, the punt was fumbled by Kirksville and recovered by Ewens just before the two minute warning. Ewens and Halley teamed up for a pair of first downs as the Spartans drove down the field and Ewens was rewarded with his second touchdown reception of the game with just 56 seconds left in the half.

Kirksville’s attempt to match the score again came to an abrupt end when an unsuccessful pass in the backfield was fumbled and recovered by Moberly. Stoecklein went to senior receiver Jared Martin for the would-be score but an illegal pass interference move by a Kirksville defender was all that could be done to keep Martin from catching the ball and traveling into the end zone.

Coming out of halftime the score was 21-14 in favor of Moberly. After Kirksville traveled down to the 5-yard line, they ignored their field goal opportunity, looking to score. Martin came up big with a potential touchdown-saving interception to make up for the touchdown taken away from him the half before.

With possession of the ball Moberly chose to move Ewens to running back and rushed him on every play up to the Kirksville 35. Moberly was forced to punt but the momentum shifted back into the Spartans’ hands when Halley came up big on defense with an interception. A few plays later Halley would run in for the touchdown putting Moberly up 28-14.

Kirksville put together a nice looking drive down to the 9-yard line and pitched the ball to Zak Tucker for the score. Starting the fourth quarter Kirksville was looking to catch up now trailing 21-28 and the Spartans were looking to put the Tigers away.

Moberly drove into the red zone and called on Halley to go in for the six points. He hurdled a Tiger defender and dove into the end zone getting hit hard in the process. A block in the back by Moberly returned the score and backed the Spartans up but worse than that Halley was down on the ground. He was helped off the field and would not return. In his absence the Spartans threw to Ewens for his third touchdown grab and the 35-21 lead. This would be the final number on the scoreboard as the rest of the clock was burnt off without a score by ether team.

Chris Ewens would finish the night in stealer fashion with nine catches for 100 yards, three receiving touchdowns, a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and 16 rushes for 78 yards, totaling 268 yards. He would also contribute on defense having two fumble recoveries, around five tackles, and an interception earning him player of the week honors.

The team that places first in each district will receive a home game in the first round. The team that places second will receive an away playoff game. The win last Friday locks Moberly into one of these two spots. This week they travel to Hannibal for the final game of the regular season. A win would bring the Spartans home next Wednesday against the second place team from district 14 but a loss would send the boys to the winner of that district.