The Lebanon Yellow Jackets may have ran twice as many plays and held the ball for almost three quarters, but it was the Cardinals who put up a bigger number on the scoreboard, earning a 28-20 win in their 2025 season debut.

Mason Williams got the home team in front first, busting loose on a 53 yard touchdown run late in the first quarter.  It would turn out to be the only score of the first half.  

The opening of the second half didn't go as planned.  A scoop and score fumble recovery on the second half kickoff by the Yellow Jackets knotted the score only 10 seconds in.  

A three and out by from the offense gave the ball right back to Lebanon.  Four plays later, a 62 yard run put Lebanon ahead, 14-7.

The Cardinal offense then changed to a three back set with Abel Getz joining Williams and Slade Hurd in the backfield and set off on a 12 play drive.  Hurd picked up the first five yards with Williams and Getz splitting the next 45 yards, putting the ball at the 12 yard line.  Gabe Johnson carried the ball the next two plays, finally slamming in from the one yard line to even the score at 14.  

After spending the majority of the game on the field, the defense put the Cardinals ahead when linebacker Bryson Bard picked up a loose ball and ran it back 76 yards for a score and Webb City was back on top 21-14.

Lebanon methodically began their next drive, forcing the defense to stay on the field for the next eight minutes as they put together a 15 play scoring drive, pulling within a single point with less than three minutes left in the game.  Choosing to forego a game tying PAT, Lebanon made the decision to go for two and a possible lead.  Rolling out to the right, the Yellow Jackets were unable to complete the pass and left the Cardinals ahead 21-20.  

The offense was then tasked to run out the time and take the win.  Mason Williams broke off runs of six and seven yards behind the offensive line before Gabe Johnson kept it for another eight yards when Lebanon decided to use their first time out.  On the next snap, Johnson went around the left side for a game clinching 36 yard touchdown run with less than a minute left on the clock. 

An interception by Slade Hurd on a last ditch desperation pass finally put the game to rest.

Williams ran for 130 yards on only 11 carries to lead the 232 yard ground attack.  

River Lenker filled up the defensive tackle charts, recording 14.  Barek Hoffman was credited with two tackles for loss. 

Webb City is on the road at Nixa next Friday.