Blocked punt sends Poplar Bluff football past Cape Central for a second straight season

Poplar Bluff's Myanza McCain, left, intercepts a pass intended for Cape Central's Joseph Baker (14) during the first half of a SEMO North Conference football game Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Brian Rosener)

Brian Rosener, Daily American Republic

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Tanner Dunivan blocked a punt, setting up a go-ahead touchdown midway through the fourth quarter as the Poplar Bluff football team rallied to beat Cape Girardeau Central 29-28 on Friday night in a SEMO North Conference game.

The Mules (5-0, 2-0 SEMO) overcame a 15-point, second-quarter deficit by shutting out Central over the final 31 minutes.

After a wild first half, the Tigers (3-2, 1-1) led 28-22 at the break but had their opening drive of the third quarter end with a fourth-down interception at the goal line by Poplar Bluff's Brett Barousse.

Poplar Bluff quarterback Logan Bell (9) is brought down by Cape Central's Michael Ward (51) and Julian McBride (78) during a SEMO North Conference football game Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Brian Rosener)

Brian Rosener, Daily American Republic

Central stopped the Mules at its own 20-yard line on the ensuing drive late in the third quarter and at its 9-yard line on a fourth-and-4 early in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers were forced to punt six plays later and Dunivan got a hand on the ball. Poplar Bluff took over at the Central 15-yard line and scored two plays later.

Logan Bell hit Tyson Cox in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown. Victor Rivera's point-after kick put Poplar Bluff ahead with 6:47 to play.

The Mules forced a three-and-punt with a third-down sack by Chris Barker, then nearly ran the final five minutes off the clock. They turned the ball over on downs at the Central 5-yard line with 12 seconds left.

Bell threw for three touchdowns and ran for another. The senior quarterback finished 18-of-29 for 258 passing yards. Cox caught 10 of those throws for 136 yards and two touchdowns while Isaiah Johnson ran for 115 yards on 17 carries.

Cameron Cox threw for 141 yards, completing 12 of 19 passes, while running for 77 yards. Aaron Harris scored twice and ran for 80 yards on 15 carries for the Tigers.

The teams each scored on their first two possessions with Central taking a 14-13 lead into the second quarter.

Bell opened the scoring with a 3-yard run to cap a 58-yard scoring drive but the Tigers answered 2 minutes, 47 seconds later on a 6-yard touchdown run by Harris.

Three snaps later, the Mules went back ahead on Bell's 66-yard touchdown throw to Barousse. The point-after kick missed to the left and Central took the lead with 1:22 left in the opening quarter on a 13-yard run by Harris.

Matt Nussbaum recovered a fumble for the Tigers, setting up a touchdown on the next play when Cameron Cox hit Austin Parker with a 21-yard pass for a 21-13 lead.

Central recovered the ensuing kick at the Poplar Bluff 26-yard line and scored five plays later on a 5-yard run by Joseph Baker, pushing the advantage to 28-13 with 7:21 left in the half.

Poplar Bluff answered with a 51-yard touchdown by Tyson Cox but the Tigers stopped the Mules on a 2-point run.

Last year, Poplar Bluff stopped Central on a two-point conversion run to preserve a 36-34 win that ended a six-year run by the Tigers in the series.

Myanza McCain intercepted a pass for a third straight game but the Mules couldn't take advantage with the ensuing drive stalling at the Central 27-yard line.

Poplar Bluff got the ball back with 1:24 left in the half and marched 56 yards in a minute for a first-and-goal. However, the Tigers stopped a short pass, forcing a timeout, before two incomplete passes in the end zone brought up fourth down.

Cape Central's Aaron Harris is stopped by Poplar Bluff defenders during a SEMO North Conference football game Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Brian Rosener)

Brian Rosener, Daily American Republic

Rivera sent a 26-yard field goal through the uprights with 8 seconds left in the half to cut Central's lead to 6 points.

The win was Poplar Bluff's first in four trips to Central's new stadium, which opened in 2011. It also set up a showdown Friday in Poplar Bluff against Jackson, the last two unbeaten teams in SEMO North Conference play.

First Quarter

PB -- L.Bell 3 run (Rivera kick), 8:58.

CC -- A.Harris 6 run (Heitt kick), 6:11.

PB -- Barousse 66 pass from L.Bell (kick failed), 4:48.

CC -- A.Harris 13 run (Heitt kick), 1:22.

Second Quarter

CC -- A.Parker 21 pass from C.Cox (Heitt kick), 9:44.

CC -- J.Baker 5 run (Heitt kick), 7:21.

PB -- T.Cox 51 pass from L.Bell (run fail), 6:56.

PB -- Rivera 26 FG, 0:08.

Fourth Quarter

PB -- T.Cox 10 pass from L.Bell (Rivera kick), 6:47.

RUSHING: Poplar Bluff, I.Johnson 17-115. L.Bell 22-30. Barousse 3-29. Central, A.Harris 15-80. C.Cox 18-77. J.Baker 5-37. C.Hughes 1-8.

PASSING: Poplar Bluff, L.Bell 18-29-0 258. Central, C.Cox 12-19-2 141.

RECEIVING: Poplar Bluff, T.cox 10-136. Barousse 3-84. M.McCain 5-38. Central, A.Parker 4-66. J.Baker 6-65. C.Hughes 2-10.

MISSED KICKS: none.