Nixa blocks game-winning field goal attempt to beat Branson
BRANSON MO NEWS:
By Jim Connell (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
NIXA – As he milled around the Eagle Stadium field after Friday night’s home opener, Alex Allen proudly showed off a red, swollen right hand.
As a tight end with high-Division I prospects, it’s not an ideal situation.
But Allen wouldn’t have had it any other way.
The 6-foot-6, 220-pound senior turned in the play of the game, blocking a 32-yard field goal as time expired, sealing the Eagles’ 21-19 victory over Branson.
“My hand’s all swollen, he kicked it hard,” Allen said.
“I’m just really excited. We started off slow, then picked it up in the second half.”
Allen said he suggested a change before the fateful kick, moving from his position on the outside of the field goal block formation to a spot on the middle of the line.
That wound up being a perfect change, as the boot from Branson kicker Justice Webber slammed directly into Allen’s outstretched hand, giving Nixa a 2-0 record.
It also will give Allen a new spot on the field goal kick team.
“He’s really not one of our kick-blockers, but he will be the rest of the year,” Nixa coach Rich Rehagen said.
“He said, ‘Hey, put me in there,’ and I said, ‘Let’s do it – put the tall guy in there.’ ”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Nixa quarterback Jack Sanders turned in a three-touchdown performance, connecting with Stephen Belcher on a 36-yard scoring pass in the second quarter, hitting Zach Rehagen on a 14-yard score in the third period, and running in from 42 yards out midway through the third quarter.
The 42-yard run – the eventual game-winning touchdown – came after a crucial defensive stop that put all the momentum in Nixa’s corner.
The Sanders-to-Rehagen TD …
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