SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- With the lead in hand only two plays into the fourth quarter, Maryville had positioned itself to claim a fifth state title.
Instead, a bad break, a bad bounce and a late surge lifted Monett to a 27-18 to claim the Class 3 championship at Plaster Stadium.
The Cubs (14-1) scored two touchdowns the final 7 minutes, 15 seconds to rally from an 18-14 deficit to win their third state title and first since 1977. The Spoofhounds were vying for the third under coach Matt Webb, who just finished his fifth year.
“In Maryville you grow up playing football together, basketball together, baseball, you grow up together as a community,” Webb said. “We are obviously hurting because of the loss but this senior class with the wins and records they have done. They haven’t lost a home game. Only three losses, two in the quarterfinals and one in the state championship. When look back, when you are old and 40, like myself. When they are my age they will be remembered for being a dominant football program and team.”
A four-possession sequence set the stage for Monett's rally.
No. 1-ranked Maryville (14-1) took the four-point lead on Eli Dowis' 5-yard touchdown run two plays into the fourth. The two-point conversion failed on an interception.
The Spoofhounds quickly forced a three-and-out. Maryville had to punt as well, but drew a flag by jumping offside. Back at its own 35, a snap sailed over Jacob Reuter's head. He scrambled back for it but Onis Howard wrapped him up at the 1-yard line.
The Cubs took the lead for good five plays later when quarterback Ian Meyer ran in for a 1-yard score. The extra point missed and down 20-18, Maryville still could take the lead with 7:15 left.
