Miller Ends Pierce City's Season

Monett Times
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Jared Lankford
The 2010 Pierce City football season ended Monday night with the Eagles falling 35-8 to the Miller Cardinals. The game was a lot closer than the score indicated.
"I thought at times we played well enough to win the game," said Pierce City Head Coach Mac Whitehead. "We needed to play a perfect game to win, and simply put, we didn't do that."
Miller scored on its second offensive possession. Cardinals' quarterback Justin Jack directed an 85-yard scoring drive in five plays and 1:22. Jack completed passes to Dustin Cates for plays covering 7 and 26 yards, then ran for 13 more yards, setting up a 14-yard scoring run by junior running back Daniel Parscal.
Parscal finished the game with 105 yards rushing.
Pierce City would try to answer, driving the ball to the Miller 1-yard line, only to be turned away on fourth down. The Eagles were only able to capitalize on one of four deep trips into Cardinals' territory.
"I thought we had a good defensive game plan," said Whitehead. "We moved the ball all night on offense but were unable to find the end zone."
Eagles' running backs Cody Cox and Curtis Palmer rushed 139 and 106 yards respectively. Miller's stout defense was only able to force one Pierce City three-and-out, and that was only with the aid of a holding penalty
Pierce City finished the game with 257 yards rushing, and Eagles' quarterback Cedric O'Hara threw for 95 yards. The Eagles also racked up 20 first downs, but Miller's defense did not allow a point until late in the game when receiver Wayne Jo Sooter pulled in a 21-yard TD pass from O'Hara.
"We didn't play a perfect game by any means," said Miller Coach Dustin Baldwin. "I thought they were much more physical this time, but we made the plays we had to."
Miller would add to the lead in the second quarter scoring on a Zach Eaton 65-yard pass reception from Jack. Cardinals' Derrick Estell caught a 22-yard touchdown pass with 50 seconds remaining in the first half to give Miller a 21-0 halftime lead.
"Miller is a good club," said Whitehead. "Good teams find ways to win, and that's what Miller did. We are going to miss the senior leadership from this Eagles' squad. I have enjoyed coaching these boys."
The Eagles completed the season with a 10-2 record with both losses coming to Miller.
Heading into the off-season there will be some question that need to be answered. Especially on the O-line and D-line.
"We need some young guys to step up," added Whitehead. "We want our guys to play a winter sport, run track in the spring and lift weights in the summer. We need to replace three linemen and that won't be easy.
"We have placed a foundation that we can build on in the future." said Whitehead.