The Wright City football team opened the Class 3, District 3 quarterfinal with a big 42-0 statement win over Duchesne and a “point to prove.” 

“We feel like our last three games this season were not a reflection of who we are as a team,” Head Coach Tyler Rickard said. “We want to use the second season in the playoffs to prove a point that we’ve learned and we are a better ball club than what we showed.” 

Sophomore Benji Rodriguez, who is currently leading the team in tackles, credited the mentality as one of the key components that led to their win. 

“We didn’t end on too great of a note for our regular season, but today we came out with a point to prove and shut them out,” Rodriguez said. 

Senior Gavin McCord also added the win came from the team’s discipline and ability to keep playing from start to finish. 

Wright City’s win over Duchesne will take them to the district semifinals. No. 2 Wright City will host No. 3 Moberly on Nov. 8 starting at  7 p.m. 

Moberly won its quarterfinal game 59-20 against Fulton on Nov. 1. 

“You can’t put a lot of stock into their record because they’ve played some quality ball clubs, so we’re going to be ready to go,” Rickard said. “They’re going to want to run the football and so we’re going to have to be at our best.” 

This was the second time this season the Wildcats have shutout another team. Before this year, the last time Wright City had earned a shutout win was 2019. 

“I thought across the board, up front, our interior defensive linemen played really well. Grant Lehmen and Kaiden Pilcher did a really good job setting the edge, so it’s just an outstanding effort by our defense,” Rickard said. 

Rodriguez and McCord also noted the defense was able to trust one another and everyone focused on doing their jobs. 

As the Wildcats go further in districts, Rodriguez and McCord noted what keeps them motivated to keep winning. 

“I’m doing it for the seniors, doing it for the team and just giving the best I can 100% every game,” Rodriguez said. “I’m trying my hardest for my family, my teammates, my brothers. I just want to get the job done and bring home a trophy,” McCord added. 

Multiple players across the board scored touchdowns. Duan McRoberts rushed for three touchdowns. In total, the senior ran for 219 yards on 10 rushes. Lavarious Green scored his second touchdown of the season on a 43-yard pass from McRoberts. 

Kayden Allison scored his sixth touchdown of the season on a 31-yard pass from Dayton Humphreys and Kayden McCurdy scored his first touchdown of the season off a 25-yard run. 

On the defensive side, Rodriguez and Jakob Popp both recorded interceptions. Hakeem Dowdy and Pilcher also recovered fumbles. Lehmen had two tackles for loss, while Rodriguez, Pilcher and Popp each had one. 

“I’m proud of our guys. We were able to rotate guys through and they each excelled,” Rickard said. “You know, anytime we can continue to week 11, it says something about our ball club.”