While games were played later due to the heat, many fans made their way out for the opening night of the 2023 High School Football Season.

One of the highlights of the evening occurred in Branson as the school honored longtime Pirate Coach Steve Hancock as the first inductee onto their Wall of Fame that will honor standout coaches for the school. The Pirates played inspired in the first half of their game against Joplin, but two turnovers inside the Eagle five yard line took a pair of potential touchdowns off the board with the Pirates eventually falling by a score of 35-14. Quarterback Luke McCormick got the first score for the Pirates in the opening drive with Alex Lewis getting the other touchdown late in the game. 

Two other games on MOARK Sports were close contests. The Harrison Goblins outlasted the Springdale Bulldogs 24-20 at F.S. Garrison Stadium. Both teams scored twice in the first half to go into the intermission tied at 14. The score stayed that way until early in the fourth quarter when Goblin QB Mason Ketterman hit Lucas Brumley on a 67 yard pass to retake the lead. The Bulldogs answered but missed the extra point to keep the Goblins up one with a field goal and a defensive stand being enough to get Harrison the win. 

Meanwhile, the Reeds Spring Wolves had to hold on on the road to pick-up a 33-28 win over the Monett Cubs. The Wolves built a 20-7 halftime lead then connected on a 76 yard touchdown pass  from Blandy Burrell to Miguel Campos in the third quarter plus a Burrell rush in the fourth quarter made the score 33-7 but the Cubs went on a roll, scoring three straight touchdowns before the Wolves were able to run out the clock. 

The Forsyth Panthers fell behind early but then rolled to a 41-12 win over El Dorado Springs. After the Bulldogs got the first score of the game, the Panthers answered with three touchdowns to wrap-up the first half and take a 20-6 lead. The Panthers got three touchdowns each from Rolly Fisher and Bryce Nolan to lead the way. 

There will be a few games taking place tomorrow including the Hollister and Cassville game also on MOARK Sports Dot Com.

Scores
Joplin 35 Branson 14
Harrison 24 Springdale 20
Reeds Spring 33 Monett 28
Forsyth 42 El Dorado Springs 12
West Fork 20 Green Forest 8
Yellville-Summit 44 Baptist Prep 20

Nixa 14 Webb City 7
Republic 20 Carthage 14
Ozark 42 Carl Junction 22
Willard 28 Neosho 21