The showdown local prep football fans have been waiting for is finally here.
Longtime rivals Webb City (9-1) and Carthage (9-0) will meet with the season on the line in Friday’s Class 5 District 6 championship game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at David Haffner Stadium in Carthage.
“Playing for a district championship is always a goal,” Webb City coach John Roderique said. “And now we have an opportunity to play for a district championship. It’s an opportunity to advance in the playoffs. And there’s only one team that ends the season on a win.”
These two programs have been meeting for more than 100 years now. And this is the first time they’re getting together with both teams being defending state champions.
Webb City won last year’s Class 4 state championship, while Carthage is the defending Class 5 champ.
“I’m really proud of both programs for where we finished last year,” Roderique said earlier this season. “It’s awesome to experience that with two schools this close. But this year is a new season for both teams.”
Second-seeded Webb City advanced with last Friday’s lopsided 48-13 win over Ozark, while top-seeded Carthage held off Branson 55-35.
Friday’s winner advances to the quarterfinals on Nov. 20 against the Lebanon-Glendale winner, while the team that falls short on Friday will see the 2020 season come to an abrupt end.
The two schools did not meet during the regular season, as the Week 4 game was canceled because the Tigers had a large number of players in quarantine.
Carthage has won 18 straight games entering Friday. The last team to beat the Tigers? Webb City. The Cardinals defeated the Tigers 32-7 in Week 5 of the 2019 season.
Webb City has won three straight against Carthage since the Tigers knocked off the Cardinals in 2016.
Webb City is averaging 41.5 points per game, while allowing 14.1 points. Carthage is scoring 40.8 points per game and allowing 17.1 on defense.
“They’re extremely talented and they have a lot of experienced guys,” Roderique said of Carthage. “They’re tough to defend. The backfield with (Patrick) Carlton and (Luke) Gall, those guys are extremely good. They’ve got speed with the power reads and the jet sweeps. They’ve got some guys they can throw it down the field to. Patrick is a quality player who has been playing a long time. They have more dimensions. They can hurt you in a lot of different ways.”
Roderique noted the keys to this one are simple.
“Turnovers and field position are always going to be a factor,” Roderique said. “And the game is usually decided on who plays the best up front.”
THE CARDINALS
Webb City is averaging 330 rushing yards and 67 passing yards per game.
Senior Devrin Weathers has recorded 1,326 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns. A Kansas State recruit, Weathers is averaging 133 rushing yards per game.
Junior Dupree Jackson has racked up 638 rushing yards and eight scores. Senior quarterback Cole Gayman has rushed for 507 yards and eight touchdowns. Gayman has passed for 628 yards on 34 completions. Leading receivers are Gary Clinton (197 yards), Cohl Vaden (179 yards) and Mekhi Garrard (116 yards).
Defensive leaders for the Cardinals are Treghan Parker (78 tackles, three interceptions), Matt McDaniel (62 tackles, four sacks) and Brayden Hollingsworth (54 tackles, three sacks).
MORE ON THE TIGERS
Click here to read Lucas Davis’ story on Carthage:
TICKETS
Many are calling this week’s Webb City-Carthage rivalry clash the game of the week in the state of Missouri. With that, a large crowd is expected for the game. There are no capacity limits.
Carthage athletics director Mark Holderbaum said tickets to the game are not being pre-sold and must be purchased before the game at the gate.
Gates will open to the public at 6. Admission is $5 for ages six and up. No credit cards or checks will be accepted, cash only.
HOW TO LISTEN
If you don’t want to attend the game in person, you have two options on the radio.
https://www.kneo.org/sports.html
or
https://boxcast.tv/channel/j3s1xvixjxtgxliszrlf
HOW TO WATCH
The price to stream is $10.
