With the combination of a heavy mist that wouldn't stop and a Neosho pass-rush that also wouldn't stop, Nixa quarterback Hunter Crabtree endured less than ideal passing conditions Friday.

Throw in the fact that Crabtree eventually had to play catch-up and Neosho's defense knew the pass was coming.

It added up to a miserable Homecoming for Nixa and a 21-6 drubbing at the hands of the Wildcats in the Ozark Chevrolet Game of the Week.

"It's not any fun to play in," Crabtree said of the relentless ran. "We had experience with it at Willard two weeks ago. It definitely makes things different. It screws everything up. It changes your gameplan. 

"Hopefully, we can stay out of the rain."

Nixa (2-3) has lost both of its games played in rain and managed just one touchdown in both contests.

Of course, Mother Nature had nothing to do with Neosho's constant pressure on Crabtree. He was sacked five times.

"I haven't had to worry about that too much this season," said Crabtree, who was 6-for-16 passing for 67 yards with an interception. "Our O-line has done great. Neosho was really good up front and they have some tough linebackers. They did a lot of things we couldn't get blocked. 

"It was difficult tonight, but that's part of it."

"Way too much pressure," Nixa coach Rich Rehagen said of Neosho's knack of getting to Crabtree. "We didn't get them picked up."

Neosho (3-2) spotted Nixa a 6-0 lead less than a minute into the action, before holding the Eagles scoreless over the remaining 47 minutes.

While Crabtree was having trouble throwing, running back Sean Sample was struggling finding gaps to squeeze through.

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