On a night where football returned to high schools across Southwest Missouri, Nixa junior running back Sean Sample stole the show. Literally.

A big night from Sean Sample helped Nixa defeat Willard 41-27 in its season opener.

In his first career start at running back, Sample carried the Eagles to a 41-27 victory over the Willard Tigers, scoring three touchdowns.

"He was a good running back for our lower-level teams, but he's got a lot bigger role for us right now in the backfield and had a real nice first game," Nixa head coach Rich Rehagen said. "He had some big plays, and that helps a lot."

The Eagles fell behind early in the first quarter, as Willard scored on a 62-yard rushing touchdown on the first drive of the season. From that moment on, however, it was basically all Nixa.

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