Capital City has been challenged by some of the best offenses in the state this season, but its defense saved its best performance for the regular-season finale Friday night.
The Cavaliers limited Kirksville to just seven first downs, including just one in the second half, en route to the program's first varsity victory - a 13-7 non-conference win at Adkins Stadium.
"The last three weeks have been trying for a lot of reasons," Capital City coach Shannon Jolley said. "That feeling of getting through those challenges is probably more powerful than winning. I couldn't have been more proud of the kids coming back ready to work on Monday. We seemingly didn't miss a beat."
The Cavaliers' defense held Kirksville to just 61 yards in the second half and 206 for the game. The Tigers (5-4) did not have a first down in the third quarter.
"It wasn't perfect by any means, but we're sure proud of their effort," Capital City defensive coordinator Cameron McDaniel said. "We tried to have more guys than they could block in the run game, and hold up as best we could in the passing game."
Capital City (1-6) marched 46 yards in 10 plays to open the second half and take the lead for good. Ian Nelson crossed the goal line by mere inches on fourth-and-goal from the 1 to put the Cavaliers ahead by the final score with 6:20 left in the third quarter.
Capital City overcame five fumbles, with the fourth and final lost fumble coming on the second play of the fourth quarter. Kirksville completed a long pass and marched to the Cavaliers' 12-yard line, but Grayson Jones tackled Noah Copeland for a 2-yard loss on fourth-and-1 to turn the ball over on downs.
"I saw the guy coming in motion and knew I needed to make that tackle," said Jones, who also had an interception to end the first half. "Someone had to make a play, and I knew it needed to be me."
Hurley Jacobs converted a pair of fourth downs to help the Cavaliers eat up clock and secure the win. He plunged ahead for 3 yards on fourth-and-1 at the Capital City 33, then muscled his way for 2 yards on fourth-and-1 with 2:04 left to salt it.
"It's about setting the tone and creating the culture we want," Jolley said. "We always want to go for it and be the aggressor. There's so much to be gained for being assertive and calling your own shots, instead of being on the defensive."
The teams combined for five turnovers in the first half.
Kirksville scored just 76 seconds into the game. Jaden Ballinger connected with Noah Copeland for a 48-yard catch and run, then threaded the needle to Lane Feeney in traffic for a 16-yard touchdown pass on third-and-3.
Ethan Wood's fumble recovery and 23-yard return on the first play of the second quarter put the Cavaliers in prime position to tie it at the Kirksville 36. Nelson's 24-yard burst set up Jacobs' 7-yard touchdown run with 10:26 left in the first half.
Capital City is the No. 6 seed in Class 5 District 4 and will play at No. 3 seed Rolla (4-3) next Friday night.