ELDON, Mo. - The Eldon Mustangs could not celebrate a record-setting performance very long because a big test in their Tri-County Conference opener looms.
Eldon, coming off one of the state's highest-ever scoring games, takes on the Southern Boone Eagles tonight in the league opener for both teams. Kickoff at Eldon is 7 p.m.
Both clubs come in 2-0 overall.
Eldon has been the highest-scoring team in the Tri-County after two weeks after stopping Boonville 30-15 and last week in a score-fest outlasted Owensville 72-69 in a rematch of last year's district finals. With :30 remaining and Owensville at its own 33 yardline, Eldon senior linebacker Trenton Dillon sacked Owensville standout quarterback Wyatt Ellis at the Owensville 5-yard line. And on fourth down Ellis was tackled for a safety to end the game.
Southern Boone Eagles has pulled out a pair of close-call victories, beating North Callaway 15-12 and last week topping Wright City 31-28.
Last week, the Mustangs established new single-game school records in points scored (old record was 71 vs. Windsor in 1972) and points allowed (previous mark of 66 vs. Hogan Prep in 2015). And Eldon's eight 2-point conversions tied the state mark.
And Eldon senior running back Isaiah Merida set single-game school records with 337 rushing yards, seven touchdowns and four 2-point conversions.
"I've never been involved in a contest that had so many aspects of the game," Eldon head coach Shannon Jolley said. "We were pleased to be on the winning end. I compared it to a 20-18 baseball game; it was just the perfect storm that happened at that time. It was our third attempt to try to slow down Wyatt Ellis and we were not so successful with that. But effort-wise I was so pleased with how we battled back and ended it with a safety. It was a tremendous contest to be a part of."
Tonight Eldon will be trying to avenge another loss from last season, as the Mustangs fell to the Southern Boone Eagles 14-7. The Eagles went on to finish 9-3 in 2016.
"There are a bunch of expectations put on you," Southern Boone head coach Trent Tracy said after last year's success. "But we're facing some injuries and have had some backups and younger kids who have stepped up. Both weeks the kids have had to find a way to win. That's a good characteristic of a team."
Southern Boone has had to overcome the loss of senior quarterback-safety Seth Mueller, who is out four weeks after suffering a broken thumb. Also starting offensive guard-nose tackle, senior Charlie Smith, has missed the first two games with an MCL sprain in his knee. He is a game-time decision this week.
To replace Mueller, Southern Boone has moved standout receiver, junior Sam Stichnote, to QB. Last year Stichnote had more than 700 yards receiving and was an all-state safety with nine interceptions.
The Eagles have used a running back by committee so far. Senior running back Jackson Sartain ran for 128 yards last week. Five Southern Boone backs rushed for more than 40 yards against Wright City.
"There are no dips in our schedule this year," Jolley said. "In the Tri-County Conference, there are good teams throughout.
"Coach Tracy has done a good job; there is a lot of similar attributes between the two of us. They have a strong kicking game and they have a good combination of size and speed. They are pretty deliberate running downhill. Defensively they have good team speed and get to the ball. The Southern Boone players are extremely confident and will fly around and hit you."
The Mustangs' wing-T offense has been effective, as Merida has 498 yards on 50 carries and nine touchdowns while junior fullback Isaiah Parsons has 152 yards on 42 attempts and three TDs and wingback Dillon 152 yards on nine carries.
Eldon junior quarterback Dawson Brandt had rushed for 83 yards and passed for 132 yards with a pair of TDs. Dillon caught two of those passes for 95 yards and both touchdowns.
"With us and Eldon it's always a close game and I don't think it will be any different this year," Tracy said. "With Eldon you know you're going to see a lot of running the ball and play-action passing, but it doesn't make it any easier to stop. We've got to have a big game from our linemen and linebackers.
"When they played against Boonville (in Week 1) there was one offensive possession in the first quarter. Their game plan is to grind it out. They have good running backs, and their quarterback runs the ball well, too. They have multiple weapons to use. Defensively they run a 5-2 (front) with man coverage. They'll be up tight on your receivers and try to stop the run with seven guys in the box."