By Jim Henry

jhenry@joplinglobe.com

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Carthage’s big-play offense began with an 85-yard touchdown burst on its first snap of the season.

But the Tigers’ defense came up with two big plays to set up touchdowns midway through the second half to propel Carthage past Ozark 54-33 Friday night in a Central Ozark Conference season opener at K.E. Baker Stadium.

Sophomore running back Brian Poston and senior quarterback Trey Derryberry combined for 272 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, and Derryberry passed for 148 yards and a score as Carthage’s offense accumulated 468 yards.

The Tigers widened a 27-20 halftime lead to 34-20 on Poston’s 15-yard run with 5:45 left in the third period.

Less than two minutes later, Carthage defensive end Mason Seibert forced a fumble by quarterback Jordan Nuckolls, and tackle Alex Cutbirth recovered at the Ozark 20. Six plays later, Poston’s three-yard run made it 40-20 with 1:34 left in the quarter.

Just 26 seconds later, Derryberry’s 24-yard interception return gave Carthage possession at the Ozark 23. His 11-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter made it 47-20.

“The third quarter, our defense played about as good as it could play at this point,” Carthage head coach Jon Guidie said. “They really stepped up.”

“Our offense was clicking in the first half, but toward the end of the half we went through a dry spell,” Derryberry said. “The defense picked it up the second half, and that won us the ball game.”

Poston added a three-yard touchdown midway through the fourth period and ended with 143 yards on 19 attempts, including 104 yards in the second half.

“When we decided to run, Poston was the guy,” Guidie said. “Give credit to the offensive line ... they stepped up, too. Poston ran the ball about as well as I’ve seen him run.”

Carthage began its first possession at its 15. Derryberry went around left end on a sweep, broke a tackle near the line of scrimmage and raced 85 yards down the sideline to the end zone.

“When we came out and they lined up the way we thought they were going to line up, I knew it was going to be a big play,” Derryberry said. “I didn’t know it was going to be that big of a play, but I knew it was going to be a big play for us.”

“It just happened to be the right one,” Guidie said. “Trey with fresh legs, he’s going to make some things happen.”