Special to the News-Leader
JOPLIN — Nixa ended up having to use a freshman running back in their 23-13 loss to Joplin in the district semifinals Friday night, and the Eagles still made it a game.
It was in line with a lot of the issues the Eagles dealt with all season.
In their Week 2 regular-season loss to Joplin, star running back Ramone Green went out with a collarbone injury. Spencer Ward took his place as Nixa put together a stretch of wins, losing only to Central Ozarks Conference champion Carthage for the rest of the year.