Webb City and Savannah battled the entire game and it came down to a final play and Phoenix Johnson found the end zone with 4 seconds left for the game winner 28-24.
Savannah controlled the game for most of the first half as they built a 24-7 lead.
The Savages scored on the opening possession and after blocking a Cardinal punt, they found the endzone again. The Cardinals fumbled on their next possession and Savannah marched down the field again and with 6:35 left in the second quarter the Savages held a 21-0 lead.
Webb City had only ran six offensive plays, as they started their next possession on their twenty yard line. Johnson broke a 20 yard run to start the drive and the long drive was finished when Breckin Williams went the last 13 yards to get the Cardinals on the board.
Savannah was able to kick a 40 yard field goal in the final minute of the half.
The Cardinals received the 2nd half kickoff and after picking up a first down, Jamison Cady broke a 52 yard run down to the Savage nine yard line. Cady ran the next play to the one yard line and Pheonix ran the final yard and the Cardinals were now back in the game at 24-14.
The intensity of the defense picked up in the second half as the Cardinals forced the Savages to punt on their next two third quarter possessions. The Cardinals gave Savannah great field position with a fumble on their own 23, but the Savages gave it right back on their next play and the Cardinals took over at the twelve yard line.
As the third quarter ended and the fourth started, the Cardinals were on an eleven play drive, highlighted by a 48 yard completion to Kohl Slaughter that the set Webb City up insided the ten and Williams scored three plays later and with 9:43 left in the game, the Cardinals were trailing only 24-21.
The defense once again rose to the occassion and forced a punt and let the offense start on the final drive at the forty yard line.
The offensive line began pushing their way on a sixteen play drive toward end zone. Finding three and four yards each play, Cady, Johnson and Williams followed the line blocking down the field. The Cardinals found themselves with a first down at the eleven with a minute to play. Johnson picked up three and Cady followed with a five yard run down the three. The clock was still running as Johnson dove toward the goal line, but the officals ruled him down at the one and after measuring it was fourth down from the one with less that ten seconds to go.
The offense stood over the ball as the officials started the clock and Phoenix followed a Cady block into the end zone. Alex Easley finished the scoring with his fourth PAT of the day.
The Cardinals are now headed back to the DOME and the Class 4 Championship game were they will face undefeated MICDS. Kickoff is set for 4:15.
Tickets will be on sale beginning at noon on Monday until noon on Wednesday. Ticket price is $11.
