West Plains defeats Dumas to claim share of district title

There are games where two teams push and shove, neither willing to budge. Then there are games like Thursday night at Happy State Bank Stadium, where one team sees the challenge in front of them and simply decides they won’t be stopped. That was the story as the West Plains Wolves took on the Dumas Demons in a District 2-4A Division I showdown loaded with playoff consequences.

West Plains entered the night already assured of a playoff berth, but not yet crowned as the top dog in the district. Dumas came in with its own postseason ambitions, and for a half, the matchup reflected that urgency. The teams traded scores like boxers exchanging haymakers, and Dumas held a 28-21 lead at halftime thanks to strong quarterback play from Colton Mills and the versatility of running back Zhastian Jara.

But if we’ve learned anything about West Plains over the past two years, it’s that this team plays its best football when adjustments are needed. The Wolves returned a large chunk of talent from last year’s state semifinal squad, and they looked every bit like a seasoned playoff contender after halftime.

The tone was set instantly. On the first play from scrimmage in the second half, junior running back Slade Russell burst straight up the middle for a 64-yard touchdown, tying the score and shifting momentum squarely to West Plains. Russell didn’t stop there—he delivered one of the best single-game performances the program has ever seen, rushing for a school-record 347 yards and three touchdowns on just 22 carries. His explosive playmaking overshadowed even his highly touted teammate, senior quarterback and four-year starter Reid Macon.

Yet Macon still made his mark. While his passing numbers (193 yards and two touchdowns) were modest compared to his usual output, he added 96 yards and three touchdowns on the ground—including a 76-yard keeper in the fourth quarter that effectively sealed the game. With West Plains piling up a staggering 474 rushing yards and 667 total yards, the offense never punted. Simply put: they moved the ball at will.

To Dumas’ credit, the Demons never stopped fighting. Mills threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns, while Balbuena and Jara combined for over 300 yards of offense. But every time Dumas cut into the lead or threatened to shift momentum, West Plains responded. The Wolves weren’t just outscoring Dumas—they were closing the door every time the Demons tried to open it.

In the end, West Plains’ 56-37 win wasn’t just about securing the No. 1 playoff seed or ensuring at least a share of the district title. It was a reminder of how dangerous this team becomes when the calendar turns to November. The Wolves showed the same second-half dominance that fueled last year’s deep playoff run, and they did it against a quality opponent playing with urgency.

Dumas still controls its postseason fate with a win next week, but on Thursday night, the field belonged to the Wolves—and they made sure everyone saw why.