Nixa football, Jackson Cantwell travels to Lee’s Summit North at state

On November 23, 2024By Littum

NIXA – Since walking off the field at Rockhurst High School after a state quarterfinal loss a year ago, Nixa football talked about how the outcome would be different when it will return next season.

In three of John Perry’s first four years as the Eagles’ head coach, they have reached the state quarterfinals only to lose to a team in the Kansas City area. The school had not reached the semifinals since finishing as the state runner-up in 2014.

The Eagles have seen what it takes and believe they are capable of taking the next step. They will test that when they travel to Lee’s Summit North on Friday for a 7pm Class 6 quarterfinal.

“That’s why you play the game,” Perry said. “We’re at a point where we’re ready to take the next step. It’s a new season. We’re excited.”

The Eagles set high expectations for themselves before the season opener, talking about going 5-0 in the postseason since their jamboree. They’ve tried to manifest the idea of knocking off a Kansas City-area team en route to winning a state championship.

Even as they looked ahead, they dominated in a perfect season through the Central Ozark Conference, beating every team by at least 20 points, averaging 46 points per game. competition and allowed fewer than 10.

Only twice did Nixa trail all season before winning both games by at least 34. The Eagles have been led by one of the best offensive lines the area has ever produced, led by five-star junior Jackson Cantwell, as it has helped the running back Dylan Rebura has rushed for 2,178 yards and 40 touchdowns. Defensively, the unit is led by star safety Parker Mann, who has 131 total tackles, including 18 solo last week in a district championship win over Joplin.

“This week we just have a different mindset shift,” Mann said. “It’s a whole ‘nother season. Perry talked about it all the time; the regular season doesn’t matter. Once we get to the playoffs, it’s 5-0 from then on.”

Lee’s Summit North was responsible for ending the Eagles’ season in the 2022 state quarterfinals, with the Broncos winning 24-10 in Nixa. The Broncos were led by five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri, who was then rated the No. 1 defensive lineman. 1 in the nation.

Nwaneri is gone, but familiar names remain. LSN is led by Class of 2025 four-star receiver Isaiah Mozee, who committed to Nebraska. Three-star defensive lineman K’Mori Moore is committed to Iowa State. Three-star linebacker Chase Pearsall holds multiple power conference offers. Running back Quade Chatmon receives Group of 5 and high-level FCS interest.

The Broncos finished the regular season tied with Nixa for No. 2 in the state rankings, behind only Christian Brothers, which lost in its district championship. LSN rallied to beat no. 7 Lee’s Summit in its district title game.

“They have a lot of good athletes,” Mann said. “I’d take any of our athletes any day of the week. I don’t think they’ve seen a defensive matchup that’s as physical or as aggressive as us.”

The difference in Nixa’s previous appearances in the quarterfinals was its play along the offensive and defensive lines. After each game, Perry proclaimed that the Eagles needed to get bigger and stronger before they could compete at a championship level.

Perry believes these lines have arrived. Led by Cantwell, a 6-foot-8, 300-pounder ranked as Rivals’ No. 1 overall 2026 prospect in the nation, the Eagles have possibly the best offensive line the Ozarks have ever produced. The line also features four other all-state caliber players Oakly White, Hayden Mays, Jacob Lile and Hunter Jensen.

“These are the two best teams in the state, in my opinion,” Cantwell said. “We have to be ready for the physicality in Kansas City. They have a lot of guys who are very athletic and very good at getting off blocks. We have to do the same things we do every game. We just have to execute and be physical, and that’s what we’ve been doing all year, we’re going to have to do it at a high level.”

Heading into the game the Eagles have been waiting for all season, they aren’t done trying to talk future weeks into life. Perry has already reported next week’s schedule if the Eagles make it to the semifinals.

Perry believes that is the expectation to play Thanksgiving week. An exercise at 9 is on the schedule for Thanksgiving morning before a lighter feast than the Eagles are typically used to.

The Eagles believe they are ready to take the next step.

“It would mean a lot,” Mann said. “We’ve been working for this for four years now; we’ve been working our tails off. I’d love to see us get this far.”