By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — A virtual stalemate resulted when Carthage and Monett clashed during the football jamboree at Carl Junction High School on its shiny new artificial surface on Friday night.
Shoot, that’s what should have happened.
This was No. 1 vs. No. 1, after all.
Some media sources have pegged Carthage No. 1 in Missouri Class 4 and Monett No. 1 in Class 3.
“Those polls are off last year,” Carthage coach Jon Guidie and Monett coach Alan Spencer groaned in unison.
The polls also are based, realistically, on the fact that Carthage and Monett are blessed with several salty veterans from outstanding teams.
Added Spencer: “I will say Class 3 is wide-open (with a handful of former Class 3 powers joining Class 4).”
Anyway, they each scored a touchdown against each other on Friday night.
Carthage opened the program by scoring twice against Carl Junction. Monett, in Scrimmage 3 in the meeting of Big 8 Conference teams, broke through late against the host Bulldogs.
“I thought Carl Junction bounced back and had a strong scrimmage against us,” Spencer said.
“We were pleased with a lot of things,” Spencer said of the meeting with Carthage. “Our kids were resilient. It’s a veteran ballclub on both sides.”
Carthage scored first against Monett with Trey Derryberry and wide receiver Clay Kinman hooking up for a lengthy strike.
But the Monett defense then stiffened with junior Spenser Witt picking off a pass near the goal line to highlight its performance.
Monett offensively responded on the ground with Christian Privett crossing the goal line.
“They have a unique connection,” Guidie said of Derryberry and Kinman. “They worked very hard together during the offseason.
“I thought we executed pretty well against both Carl Junction and Monett,” Guidie said. “When Trey had time, he made good decisions. Our receivers did a good job. We have some quality receivers in addition to Clay (Kinman).
“Brian Poston (sophomore who rushed for more than 800 yards last season) ran the ball well,” Guidie said. “Defensively, Brian stepped up, too (at outside linebacker). That’s a new position for him.”
Carl Junction coach Bret Gosch was cheered by the Bulldogs’ finish against Monett.
“Our inexperience really showed. But we bounced back. We played very well for some 12 plays against Monett and, after the younger kids came in, I was proud of them. We’ll improve.
“Carthage took advantage of that turf with its speed,” Gosch said with a grin. “Those kids had fun on that turf.”
Notes: At least two players were held out of the jamboree because of injuries — Carthage’s Lincoln Cooper (junior linebacker) and Carl Junction’s Zach Waranch (junior running back). ... They play for real next Friday with Ozark visiting Carthage in the Central Ozark Conference, Carl Junction traveling to Lamar in the Big 8 and Monett entertaining McDonald County.
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Powers collide with no decision
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