West Plains defeated by Liberty Christian 41-35

For the second straight year, the West Plains Wolves found themselves staring down a familiar nemesis: Argyle Liberty Christian. The two programs crossed paths Friday night, and while the Wolves came up just short in a 41-35 loss, the result carried a much different tone than the last time these teams met.

A year ago, West Plains’ magical season nearly got derailed before it began when Liberty Christian throttled the Wolves 56-7 at Happy State Bank Stadium. That game, however, ended up being the last regular-season loss for West Plains as they went on a deep playoff run all the way to the Class 4A Division I state semifinal. Fast forward to Friday, and the Wolves proved they’ve grown — not only in talent but in toughness — even if the scoreboard still didn’t tilt in their favor.

The Wolves entered the matchup 4-0, cruising through their first four opponents with relative ease. Liberty Christian, led by head coach and former Dallas Cowboys great Jason Witten, presented the kind of test that can expose weaknesses and highlight where progress has been made. In that sense, West Plains got exactly what it needed.

Early on, the Wolves looked ready to flip the script. They came out swinging, racing to a 14-0 lead. Senior quarterback Reid Macon, the heartbeat of this program since its inception, once again set the tone with his dual-threat playmaking ability. But Liberty Christian, as battle-tested as any private school powerhouse in Texas, steadied itself and clawed back to take an 18-14 lead into halftime. From there, the game became a track meet — big plays, quick scores, and little margin for error.

Ultimately, the Warriors had just a little more balance and a few more answers. Quarterback Quinn Murphy threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Correll Buckhalter pounded out 111 yards and a score on the ground. Cooper Witten, son of the head coach, chipped in with seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown, continuing his emergence as a reliable offensive weapon.

For West Plains, the night still carried plenty of positives. The Wolves matched Liberty Christian blow for blow in the second half, refusing to wilt under pressure. Macon, in particular, was sensational. The four-year starter ran for 113 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries, all while surpassing the 10,000-yard mark for his career. That kind of production underscores why he’s one of the premier quarterbacks in the state and the centerpiece of everything West Plains does offensively.

The loss stings, no doubt. Any competitor will tell you moral victories don’t ease the frustration of watching the other team celebrate. But compared to last season’s lopsided defeat, Friday’s six-point setback was a clear indicator of growth. This isn’t the same Wolves team that was overwhelmed by Liberty Christian a year ago. This group is stronger, more seasoned, and better prepared for the grind that lies ahead.

In the long run, a midseason test like this can be exactly what a contender needs. The Wolves now know what it feels like to go four quarters with one of the state’s best and nearly pull it off. As the regular season progresses and playoff intensity ramps up, that experience could prove invaluable.

West Plains may have walked off the field with their first loss of 2024, but they also left with something bigger — confirmation that they belong in the conversation with the state’s elite. And if history repeats itself, this won’t be the last time the Wolves make noise deep into December.