DeSmet Jesuit beats Nixa for third Missouri Show-Me Bowl State Championship: Live updates recap

Jayden McCaster runs for 200 yards and two touchdowns, Kansas State commit Dillion Duff runs for two more and adds another through the air

Craig Hull | Dec 6, 2024

DeSmet Jesuit running back Jayden McCaster breaks into the open against Nixa in Missouri Class 6 state title game. McCaster finished with 200 yards rushing on 13 carries and two touchdowns including a 70-yard run with :40 seconds left to ice the game. / Photo by David Smith (2024)

Missouri high school football Class 6 state championship game: DeSmet Jesuit vs Nixa

DeSmet Jesuit quarterback Dillon Duff passes while pressured by a Nixa defender in Missouri Class 6 state title game. The Kansas State commit finished with 121 yards passing with a touchdown and ran for two more touchdowns. / Photo by David Smith (2024)

In September, DeSmet Jesuit opened the high school football season as the No. 4-ranked team in Missouri Class 6.

Nixa debuted at No. 6 in the first statewide rankings by the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.

MISSOURI HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

Nine weeks of regular-season games and five postseason games has placed both programs on a collision course for tonight's Class 6 state championship game, Nixa vs. DeSmet in the Show-Me Bowl.

It's one of High School on SI's national top 10 games of the week.

Pregame, Nixa vs. DeSmet Class 6 Show-Me Bowl

The most talked about storyline leading up to this game has been the Nixa offensive line vs. the DeSmet defensive line.

Nixa's offensive line features Jackson Cantwell, a 6-foot-8, 310 beast of an offensive tackle who is a 5-star talent who has narrowed his list of potential suitors down to 14 Power 5 schools -- Michigan, LSU, Ohio State, Nebraska, Florida, Miami, Fla., Alabama, Texas A&M, USC, Georgia, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Oregon and his father's alma mater Missouri.
The rest of the Nixa offensive line includes center Oakly White, 5-11, 300; tackle Hayden Mayes, 6-5, 285; guards Jacob Lile, 6-3, 290 and Hunter Jenson, 602, 265 and tight ends Lane Meltabarger 6-2, 215 and Champ Porter 6-3, 225.

The Eagles offensive line will face a DeSmet front led by ends Quincy Byas, 6-1, 235 and Titan Davis, 6-5, 260 who have combined for 103 tackles and 28 sacks this season for the Spartans.

Follow along below for live updates from the Class 6 final, which starts at 7 p.m. CT Friday, Dec. 6, at Faurot Field in Columbia.

Nixa vs. DeSmet state championship game live updates

Time for the coin toss ... temperatures in the low 30's, clear skies and cold.

Nixa wins the toss and will take the ball.

Nixa gets the kickoff at the 8 brings it to the 30 to get it started.

No surprise has Dylan Rubera carries twice, 15 yards on the first tote and four on the second to get the ball out to the 49.

An Adam McKinght quarterback keeper for a first down and Ruerba four four yards. Then Rubera on the counter play gets it to the DeSmet 38 for the first third down of the game.

McKnight stuffed on third down, Rubera on fourth down slips initially on the turf then finds a gap to slide through and get the first down at the 35.

Rubera on the direct snap allows Nixa to convert the third down at the DeSmet 26. Worth noting that other than the direct snap to Rubera and the counter play, everything has been to the left side behind Cantwell at left tackle.

Rubera caps the opening drive with a 31-yard touchdown run off left tackle on a direct snap ... Braden Kahmke kick is good 7-0 Nixa 5:07 first quarter.

Nixa eats 6:53 off the first quarter clock ... DeSmet with a 31 yard kickoff return to start its opening drive at its own 43.

K-State commit Dillon Duff completes his first two attempts to get the Spartans into Nixa territory after using his legs to pick up the initial first down.

Jayden McCaster bounces outside for a big gain down to the NIxa 5 ... a quick screen gets one and than Duff connects with Nathan Hatcher for a five-yard touchdown. Mark Gaertner kick is good and the game is tied 7-7 3:05 first quarter.

DeSmet answers in only 2:02 of game time ... Nixa starts next drive at its own 21.

Quincy Byas with the tackle for loss forcing third and long, McKnight connects with Keivon Flint for 25 yards, add on the roughing the passer penalty to move the ball across midfield to the DeSmet 37.

Four straight Rubera carries has Nixa facing 3rd and 4 at the DeSmet 19 as the first quarter ends all tied at 7.

Rubera converts the third down to start the second quarter ... 16 carries for 79 yards in the first quarter alone for the 5-9, 188 pound senior.

10:35 second quarter, timeout DeSmet with Nixa facing 3rd and 1 at the Spartan 8.

Rubera with another direct snap carry for the first down behind left guard Hunter Jenson.

McKnight with the zone keeper off the right side for the touchdown ... the far side official nearly came in and spotted him short but used his entire 6-4, 200 pound frame to stretch out and extend the ball over the goal line while using his right hand to stay off the ground. Kahmke kick is good ,Nixa leads 14-7 at 9:26 second quarter.

13 plays, 79 yards in 5:35 for Nixa to take the lead ... DeSmet starts its next drive at its own 38.

A 23 yard run by Jayden McCaster, Duff runs for nine and then breaks up the middle for a 38 yard touchdown run at 8:06 second quarter ... Gaertner kick is good and the score is tied at 14.

DeSmet scoring drives ... 9 plays, 57 yards, in 1:49 and 4 plays, 60 yards in 1:11.

Nixa scoring drives ... 12 plays, 70 yards, in 6:57 and 13 plays, 79 yards in 5:35.

Contrasting styles for both teams.

DeSmet might have finally broken serve as a three yard run by Rubera and back to back incomplete passes forces Nixa to punt ... first punt of the game.

And the punt results in the first turnover of the game as Parker Mann recovers the muffed kick and Nixa takes over at the Spartan 34, 6:58 remaining first half.

On third and 1, Rubera fumbles ... DeSmet's Bryant Pool recovers and Spartans take over at the their own 25 with 6:03 left second quarter.

Back to back Duff to Wyatt Stoltz completions of 10 and 11 yards have the Spartans out to the 46 ... timeout DeSmet 5:18 remaining first half.

A six yard gain on second down by McCaster and two incomplete passes force DeSmet into a 4th and 4 situation ... Spartans punt for the first time and Nixa takes over at its own 23, 4:46 remaining second quarter.

3rd and 10 pass from McKnight to Rubera for 11 yards to convert the first down thanks to a shimmy shake to get extra yards after the catch.

Rubera nearly breaks a direct snap for a 13 yard gain that was a shoe-string tackle away from a 55-yard touchdown run ... timeout Nixa, 1:40 second quarter, ball on the Eagles 46 facing 2nd and 9.

McKnight to Keivon Flint for nine yards ... first down at the DeSmet 44 converting the third and 8.

Keivon Flint drops deep shot from McKnight on first down, McKnight scrambles for six and then on third and four Rubera gains three before McKnight grabs the first down on a keeper ... timeout Nixa with :19 seconds remaining first half. 1st and 10 at the DeSmet 32.

Offseting penalties nullify a 34-yard touchdown pass from McKnight to Wyatt Vincent ... holding on Nixa, roughing the passer on DeSmet.

Now :12 seconds left on the first half clock ...

On first down McKnight was pressured into an incomplete pass.

On second down, McKnight completes a pass to Vincent who tries to run the hitch and pitch with Keivon Flint but the ball is fumbled and Flint falls on it to end the half.

The score at halftime, Nixa 14, DeSmet 14, Spartans ball to the start the second half.

Nixa first half notables ... Dylan Rubera 27 carries, 111 yards and a touchdown, Adam McKnight 10 carries, 31 yards and a touchdown. McKnight 4 of 8 for 57 yards passing.
Nixa defense has not recorded a tackle for loss, Parker Mann has four solo tackles and Reed Wilson three to pace the Eagles.

DeSmet first half notables ... Dillon Duff 7 of 11 passing for 45 yards and a touchdown, 3 carries, 53 yards and a touchdown. Jayden McCaster 4 carries for 56 yards yards.
Spartans defense has five tackles for loss (none recorded as official sacks) led by Quincy Byas with 2 1/2 tackles, Bryant Pool and Caynen Patterson with one each and Hudson Brewer with a 1/2 tackle for loss. Byas has five solo tackles to lead the Spartans.

Nixa team totals ... 199 total yards, 15 first downs, 57 yards passing, 142 rushing, 5 of 10 on third down and 3 for 3 on fourth down. 45 total plays ran with 19:25 time of possession.

DeSmet team totals ... 154 total yards, 7 first downs, 45 yards passing, 109 rushing, 1 of 2 on third down, 0 for 0 on fourth down. 18 total plays ran with a 4:35 time of possession.

DeSmet opens the second half with the ball and Carter Fain fair catches the kickoff at its own 32.

Spartans ripping off chunk plays of 9 yards from Duff to Stoltz, McCaster run for 8, Duff to Cam Sharp for 9, Duff to Nathan Hatcher for 6, Duff to McCaster for 7, McCaster run for 3, an incomplete pass and then Duff a 9 yard run has it inside the Nixa 10.

Ridge Janes gets two, Duff stopped on second down before McCaster runs it in for a touchdown from two yards out on third down ... Gaertner kick is good Spartans now lead for the first time all-game 21-14, 7:17 third quarter.

A quick three and out by Nixa as Rubera got three on first down, an incomplete pass on second down and McKnight scrambled for no gain ... Nixa punts it away to the DeSmet 46 where the ball is downed. 5:31 third quarter.

McCaster rips off a 46 yard run on first down and the Spartans are in business first and goal at the Nixa 8.

Duff stopped just short of the goal line on first down, on second down Duff keeps it for a one-yard touchdown run, Gaertner kick is good ... DeSmet 28, Nixa 14, 4:39 third quarter

Titan Davis, all of 6-5, 260, breaks through on first down and sacks McKnight for a four-yard loss, his 10th sack of the season.

Personal foul penalty after 7 yard completion to Keivon Flint gets Nixa across midfield to the DeSmet 46.

McKnight to Flint for 13 and to Vincent for 12 gets the Eagles to the DeSmet 14, Rebura carries for 5, McKnight loses one, Rubera gets the first down at the 4 with an 11-yard run and then on first down runs in his second touchdown of the game, the extra point misses off the upright ... DeSmet 28, Nixa 20, 1:06 remaining third quarter.

Ridge Janes fair catches another kickoff, this one at the Spartans 38 to start this drive.

A procedure penalty puts the Spartans behind the sticks, a six-yard completion on first down, an incomplete pass and Janes catches a three yard pass to bring up 4th and 6. A 45 yard punt will bring an end to the third quarter with Nixa taking over at its own 13 .... End of third quarter DeSmet 28, Nixa 20

The fourth quarter starts with a direct snap to Rubera ... who has 33 carries for 132 yards through three quarters, for a two yard gain. Another Rubera carry for a yard creates 3rd and 7, but a short pass to Flint for no gain forces Nixa to punt after a quick three and out.

DeSmet takes over at its own 29 yard line ... 55 yard punt, 9:54 remaining in the game.

McCaster rushes for four, Duff losses a yard on second down and then a 12 yard completion to McCaster gives DeSmet a huge first down with 8:27 left.

Another completion to McCaster for 8, McCaster then burrows ahead for five yards while losing his helmet but enough for the first down.

A Duff scramble for a first down will be negated by a penalty, 1st and 20. Duff tries to swing one out to McCaster in the left flat and its incomplete, under pressure Duff's off balance throw is incomplete on second down and on third down Duff connects with Janes for a 12 yard gain, but not enough for a first down as DeSmet punts it away with 6:29 remaining and a 35 yard punt pins Nixa at its own 2.

McKnight's deep shot on first down to Vincent falls incomplete, McKnight keeps it for four yards and then McKnight's deep shot on third down for Vincent falls incomplete at midfield.

Nixa will punt it away with 5:24 remaining ... a 53 yard punt rolls dead at the DeSmet 41.

Can the Spartans eat up the final 5:24?

Duff's pass falls incomplete on first down, pop pass to Cam Sharp goes for four yards and Duff's pass for Janes falls incomplete and another quick three and our brings out Gaertner to punt again.

Flint fields it at the 30 and gets it back to the 35, Nixa takes over with 4:30 remaining and needing to cover 65 yards and a two-point conversion to tie.

A personal foul penalty after the play was over pushes Nixa back 15 yards after a 10 yard screen pass from McKnight to Rubera. Ball sits on the Nixa 30 now, 4:21 remaining with a timeout by DeSmet, DeSmet leads 28-20

McKnight runs for two on first down, swings a pass to Baran Johnson for 12 yards and he steps out of bounds to stop the clock. First down at the Nixa 44.

Rebura runs for two, McKnight follows for 5 more as he steps out of bounds at the DeSmet 49.

Rebura breaks a run for 14 yards to the DeSmet 35, McKnight picks up four yards to the 31 as a DeSmet defensive end Titan Davis (two solo tackles, four total tackles, 1 TFL) is injured and is helped off the field.

McKnight to Flint for six yards and a first down at the DeSmet 25, followed by a completion to Johnson for four yards to the 21.

Another Rebura carry gets four yards to the Spartans 17 and then on third down was stopped for no gain.

On fourth and 2 at the 17, McKnight is sacked by Hudson Brewer for an eight yard loss, fumbled on the hit and it was recovered by Quincy Byas to end the drive.

With Nixa having two timeouts, McCaster gains three yards on first down and then ices the game with a 70-yard touchdown run with :40 seconds remaining, Gaertner's extra point is good ... DeSmet 35, Nixa 20, :40 seconds left.

Jayden McCaster, 5-foot-8, 180 pound junior running back for DeSmet, 13 carries, 200 yards and two touchdowns.

Caynen Patterson intercepts McKnights pass at the DeSmet 45, runs it back 14 yards and steps out of bounds with :08 seconds left.

One kneel down and that ends it ... FINAL: DeSmet 35, Nixa 20, MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl Class 6 State Champions

Third state championship for DeSmet ... 2005, 2019 and 2024 as the Spartans finish the season with a 12-2 record.

Second state runner up for Nixa ... Eagles finish the season 13-1.

DeSmet notables ... Dillon Duff, the Kansas State commit at quarterback, finishes 17 of 27 passing for 121 yards and a touchdown, 69 yards rushing on eight carries with two more touchdowns. McCaster, who hada game-high 200 yards rushing on 13 carries, also caught four passes for 38 yards Wyatt Stoltz caught 4 for 35. Linebacker Jason King paced the Spartan defense with eight solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles for 18 total tackles, Bryant Pool added six solo tackles including a tackle for loss. Spartans had 8 total tackles for loss led by Quincy Byas who had 2 1/2 tackles for loss and finished with five solo tackles.

Nixa notables ... senior running back Dylan Rubera finished with 156 yards on 39 carries with two touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Adam McKnight was 13 of 21 for 128 yards passing and added another 35 yards rushing on 17 carries with a touchdown. Keivon Flint led the Eagles with six receptions for 60 yards.
Nixa 319 yards total offense -- 128 pass, 191 rush -- 22 first downs, 7 of 16 on third down, 3 of 4 on fourth down, 31:57 time of possession.

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-- Craig Hull | @craighullsports

Published Dec 6, 2024|Modified Dec 6, 2024