Joplin Seniors Seek Redemption Against Rival Nixa in District Title Showdown

On November 14, 2025, the Joplin High School football team will face off against the Nixa Eagles in the Class 6 District 5 championship game, seeking to avenge their season-ending losses to Nixa in the previous two years. Joplin's senior quarterback Daniel Rose acknowledges the team's strong motivation to "get over the hump" and finally defeat their rival.

Joplin (5-5) and Nixa (10-0) have met five times in the last three seasons, with Nixa emerging victorious in each contest, including the last two district championship games. However, Joplin head coach Curtis Jasper believes his team is headed in the right direction, having tied Nixa at 14 in the fourth quarter of their regular season matchup earlier this year before ultimately falling 28-14.

Senior wide receiver Layne Royle echoes the team's excitement, stating that practice has been "really hyped up" as they prepare for the high-stakes rematch. Joplin's rushing attack, led by Traevian McCadney's 1,272 yards and 21 touchdowns, will be crucial in their attempt to overcome Nixa's stifling defense and senior running back Jayden McCaster, who has amassed 1,586 yards and 29 touchdowns this season.

Jasper is confident that his team will "give everything we got and leave it all on the field" as they seek to break through and secure the district championship, a feat that has eluded them in the past two seasons.