Nixa football coach John Perry said turnovers were the difference on Friday night, and Joplin coach Curtis Jasper said one in particular was a turning point.

After a Nixa punt pinned Joplin at its own 16 with 1:12 left in the first half, the host Eagles opted to try for a late score down 14-13. But Nixa's Spencer Ward picked off a pass and returned it to the goal line, and Malachi Rider punched it in to give the visitors an eight-point lead going into the half.

Nixa went on to win 35-27 at Junge Field thanks in part to Ward's interception and two more Joplin turnovers, as the visiting Eagles improved to 5-0 while remaining in the driver's seat for the Central Ozark Conference crown.

For the full recap and game photos, click here.