Tebbe set for second-straight start

Things seemed glum two weeks ago when senior starting quarterback Dylan Newcomb left with an injury against Ozark Conference opponent Camdenton.

Waynesville struggled to find a team identity in the star's absence as the team was crushed 36-0.

Against Glendale a week ago, the offense was somehow resurrected in the fourth quarter under senior quarterback Alec Tebbe, who led two straight scoring drives in the team's second comeback victory of the season to win 13-9.

Coach Rick Vernon paused before admitting Tebbe would start in Friday's game.

"We'll be going [Tebbe's] way and see how the game goes and see what we need to do to keep the continuity and the team flowing in a good manner," he said.

Due to lightning, Wednesday's practice was held indoors, but Vernon said his offense will be prepared to square off against No. 6 Hillcrest (7-1) tonight in Springfield, no matter who the starting quarterback is.

Tebbe split practice repetitions with junior Trent Simpson earlier in the week to prepare both for a number of game-type situations. While the thunderstorm limited throwing practice, both players spent time studying Hillcrest's defensive scheme, as did the rest of the offense.

"[Hillcrest] is a hard-hitting defense with a 3-4 front," Vernon said. "Our offensive line is starting to come around now and get some good confidence, and it really showed the second half [against Glendale]."

Since the beginning of the season Vernon said his trench men have made drastic improvements and are starting to work together.

Senior running back Warren Womack rushed for his second 100-plus yard game in three weeks thanks to the efforts of his maturing blockers.

"Offensively we feel that we need to run the ball," Vernon said. "[Hillcrest] is a very explosive offense so as long as we have the ball, we're doing some things we want to do and keeping the ball away from them."

Defensively Waynesville will butt heads with a tricky spread offensive scheme courtesy of Hillcrest.

"There's a lot of different coverages, but we feel we have a good secondary," Vernon said.

While his confidence is high on his defensive backs, certain coverage plays may require linebackers to drop into coverage. Aside from playing tight outside the hash marks, Waynesville must pressure the opposing quarterback.

"You just can't let a quarterback stand and take all day to throw," Vernon said. "We've got to get after him."

For Friday's game, Vernon said the opponent will get an upgraded version of the team Waynesville has been all season.

Waynesville allowed only a field goal until two minutes remained in the game against Glendale, proving the group is continually improving.

"Our defense has been playing much better," Vernon said. "We feel very good about that."

Hillcrest enters Friday's game first in the Ozark Conference, tied with Lebanon and Parkview, and sixth in Mo. Class-4 rankings. The team has outscored opponents by 73 points this year and was only bested by Kickapoo in a close 26-21 loss.

An overall record of 3-5 stares Waynesville in its face in what will be the team's toughest challenge to-date. Boasting an average of nearly 174 yards per game, if Waynesville can dominate the ground game and chew up the clock, the game could easily shift in its favor.

This evening's contest will be played at 7 p.m. in Springfield.