Spartans Beat Rival Bulldogs to Clinch Outright NCMC Championship

Moberly defeated Mexico 28-21 to capture an outright NCMC championship at Dr. Larry K. Noel Spartan Stadium Friday. Mexico trimmed its deficit to 14-7 late in the first quarter, but Moberly responded 45 seconds later.

Eric Duick with the call of Dominic Stoneking’s third touchdown pass on KWIX and centralmoinfo.com. The senior tossed a 46-yard touchdown to Toby Short less than one minute in, and Stoneking added a 16-yard touchdown strike to Devin DeWolfe in the middle of the first quarter. Spartans head coach Cody McDowell reacted to Moberly’s conference title.

7-1 Moberly finished 4-0 in NCMC action. The Spartans entered the half with a 21-14 advantage, then Moberly forced a turnover on downs on Mexico’s first possession of the third quarter. The Spartans stopped Bulldog quarterback Ty Prince’s scramble just shy of the line to gain inside the Moberly 20. Mexico also fumbled twice in the first half, including once in the red zone. Head coach Steve Haag said miscues hurt the 4-3 Bulldogs.

Haag’s Bulldogs rushed for an unofficial 360 yards. The quarterback Prince provided two touchdown runs. Moberly’s Stoneking sneaked in a one-yard score for a 28-14 lead after Mexico’s turnover on downs late in the third. Bulldog junior Isaiah Reams countered with a 14-yard run with four minutes left in the game. Moberly then clinched the victory when Jarrett Kinder produced a three-yard run on fourth and one from Moberly’s 45 yard line with two minutes to play. McDowell’s quarterback Stoneking completed 10 of 13 passes for 209 yards.

Short paced the Spartan receivers with six grabs for 141 yards and two touchdowns. The Spartans secured the top seed and home field advantage in the Class 4, District 4 playoffs. Moberly first closes the regular season at Christian while Mexico meets Warrenton. Hear full postgame interviews with both head coaches below.

Moberly head coach Cody McDowell:

Mexico head coach Steve Haag: