By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Jon Guidie, head football coach at Carthage High School, had the problem all coaches would love Friday night.
Like, which part of the Tigers’ game pleased Guidie the most?
The Tigers opened a 21-0 halftime lead in cruising past Nixa 34-14 in a nonconference game matching future Central Ozark Conference opponents at Baker Stadium.
Junior Trey Derryberry passed for 250 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 69 to direct the Tigers.
Stephen Poston and Clay Kinman combined for seven receptions for 189 yard and two touchdowns. Freshman Brian Poston carried 15 times for 79 yards.
And the Carthage offensive line may have pleased Guidie most of all.
“We were worried about this game,” Guidie said. “But we came out focused.
“The offensive line really stepped up,” Guidie said with a grin. “They (the linemen) probably got tired hearing about our concern.”
“I just went out there and did my best,” Brian Poston said. “Trey (Derryberry) did very well. The line did its part. It all opened up the running game.
“I had butterflies. But I felt good after the first carry,” the 175-pound Poston said. “Coach said I’d probably carry the ball 15 times (hitting that total on the head naturally surprised Guidie).”
Senior Beau Tommey played both wide receiver and cornerback for the Tigers.
“We played really well. We came out with a lot of enthusiasm. We bounced back from penalties several times. Our defense really was focused in the beginning.
“Brian (Poston) may have surprised all of us,” Tommy said. “He should be very proud of himself.”
Steven Ellefsen had the first two touchdowns for the Tigers by taking a 32-yard pass from Derryberry and a 5-yard run. Derryberry then scored on a 2-yard run in the second period for the halftime score.
Adversity quickly hit Nixa, Eagle coach Joel Wells said.
“Three of our five returning defensive players went down (with injuries),” Wells said. “We had only one returning offensive player (from an 8-4 edition).
“We’ll be young and inexperienced,” Wells said. “It’s baptism by fire. It will be a learning experience. We have a good bunch of sophomores. We just didn’t want to press them into action that quickly.”
Nixa, which was out-yardaged 482-290, broke through in the third period on Ryan Rehagen’s 11-yard pass to Michael Marra.
Carthage retaliated with Derryberry’s scoring passes of 48 and 50 yards, respectively, to Stephen Poston and Kinman.
“(Tight end) Kinman made a fantastic catch (reaching back and juggling the ball for a moment down the middle),” Guidie said. “That was great concentration on the part of both him and Derryberry.”
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Carthage dominates in opener
Derryberry passes for 250 yards, three TDs against Nixa
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