NMCC falls to Fredericktown in shootout

New Madrid County Central's Zach Rucker is tackled by Fredericktown's Tanner Ward on Friday night in New Madrid. (Brent Shipman photo)

NEW MADRID -- Getting a big boost from special teams and defense Friday night, Fredericktown snapped its two-game losing streak with a 57-36 over the New Madrid County Central Eagles.

The Blackcats scored on back-to-back on kickoff and fumble recoveries in the third quarter to quickly take the momentum back after the Eagles had closed back to within 10 points after a 66-yard touchdown run by G'Darius Stevenson.

Handling the ensuing kickoff after Stevenson's score, Fredericktown's Coley Mills worked his way back 80 yards to the end zone to put his team up 30-14 with 8:15 left in the third.

Adding to NMCC's trouble, the Fredericktown's Jon O'Neal picked up an Eagle's fumble early into the next drive, taking it back 20 yards to pad his team's lead and put NMCC in 24-point hold.

The Eagles offense cranked out 24 more points in their comeback attempt, but Fredericktown also found the end zone three more times with a 47-yard touchdown run by Jacob Farmer icing the game with 1:26 left to play.