Two Lamar seniors talk about Friday's state title game

By CHRIS MORROW

The last title in the Lamar Tigers seven-year state championship run came in 2017 when this year's seniors were freshmen. Two of the Tigers 11 seniors sat down with the Democrat this week to discuss what it's like getting back to the big game.

Quarterback Case Tucker says it feels great to be playing for a ring.

"We were just scout team players as freshmen. We had really good teams as sophomores and juniors, but we didn't win it. To be leaders on a team that is in a state championship game is incredible," said Tucker, who leads the Tigers rushing attack with over 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns. Although the Tigers are still a run heavy team, first-year head coach Jared Beshore has Tucker airing the ball out more than Lamar passers have during this remarkable run. He's 51-of-83 on the season for 997 yards and 12 touchdowns. Junior Mason Gastel and sophomore Austin Wilkerson have been on the receiving end of most of those passes.

"Coach (Beshore) has done a great job mixing up the offense," said 6-foot-4 330-pound Rylan Wooldridge, who is a force on the offensive and defensive fronts for the Tigers.

The fact that St. Pius X (Kansas City) will have to prepare for Lamar's versatile offense is something that may help open up holes in the run game.

"They (the Warriors) have good size on their front line," said Wooldridge. Tucker compares them athletically to Cassville, which is high praise. That said, both seniors are confident that they and their teammates will be ready when kick-off comes Friday night.

"We have to treat this like just another game. We have a game plan and we just have to go out there and execute it; play the game," said Tucker, who says that will be the key to preventing the moment from being overwhelming. A staunch script with regard to weekly preparation was something that coach Scott Bailey instilled and with enormous success. His former player and predecessor, Beshore, has picked up the mantle.

"Our coaches have done a great job all year of preparing us. We know every week what is expected of us. We are going into this game healthy and we will be ready," said Tucker.

Lamar's lone blemish in their 11-1 season was the narrowest of defeats when a would-be game winning field goal was blocked on the last play against McDonald County. The Warriors come in 12-0 after a 31-14 win over Palmyra in the semifinal. The Tigers routed Jefferson 42-7 to earn a trip to Jefferson City Friday. The game will be played at Blair Oaks High School after COVID-19 concerns prevented it from being played on a university campus as it has been in recent years.

Both seniors are hoping for a large crowd of supporters to make the trip.

"Having a big, enthusiastic crowd is huge, a lot bigger maybe than what a lot of people know. When we came out of the tunnel Saturday and saw all of those people, it really got us going," said Tucker.

Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.