By Joe Hadsall
jhadsall@joplinglobe.com
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Carthage coach Jon Guidie was happy that his team beat Central Ozark Conference opponent Republic 28-7 on Friday night.
But the win didn’t ease fears about his team’s play.
“I don’t know that we have played inspired football lately,” Guidie said. “Maybe we are just anticipating next (week’s game at Webb City). But if we can’t get up for that, we’re going to have problems.”
Sputtering offense and tough defense from both teams kept Carthage’s homecoming game close — Carthage led 14-7 — throughout the first half. In the second half, Carthage’s defense was tougher, forcing three three-and-outs and an interception.
Quarterback Trey Derryberry took advantage and led the offense on two scoring drives in the fourth quarter. He passed for two touchdowns and 236 yards, connecting on 14 of 29 attempts with three interceptions.
Rushing yards were hard to earn for both teams. Running back Brian Poston ran for 65 yards and a touchdown on 20 attempts.
Guidie said the most alarming thing was the amount of penalties. Carthage was penalized seven times for 69 yards. Penalties also negated two touchdowns and two gains of more than 30 yards.
“This is starting to become a characteristic of this team, and that worries me,” Guidie said. “We had a great effort tonight, but we couldn’t get into a rhythm because of penalties.”
It appeared both teams were looking in mirrors throughout the first half. Both offenses used spread attacks and both defenses shut them down.
Guidie said his team’s defensive ends and linemen played a great game.
“We weren’t able to pressure the quarterback a lot, but they were throwing the ball early,” Guidie said. “But our ends and line did a great job applying pressure and stopping the run.”
Carthage started the game quickly. On the first play from scrimmage, Derryberry intercepted Republic quarterback Stephen Shireman and returned it to the Republic 27 yard line.
Eight plays later, Derryberry, on fourth-and-5 from the Republic 8, launched a pass into the end zone. Receiver Devron Moore made a leaping, one-handed grab for a touchdown.
After that, defenses from both teams applied pressure. The teams traded six straight three-and-outs.
The teams traded interceptions. Clay Kinman intercepted Shireman at the Republic 38 and, seven plays later, Republic’s Wes Holmes intercepted Derryberry near the end zone.
The teams also traded quick touchdowns. With about six minutes left in the first half, Derryberry ran a keeper play to the left of the line and ran 80 yards for a score.
On the ensuing drive from the Republic 30, Shireman found receiver Mark Shockley open at the 45. After catching the pass, Shockley eluded defenders and scored a 70-yard touchdown.
Carthage appeared to add to its 14-7 halftime lead during its first drive of the second half. Carthage mounted an 11-play drive from its own 32, going 54 yards on Derryberry’s passing. The drive stalled on fourth-and-12 from the Republic 14, when Shireman intercepted Derryberry’s pass.
Guidie said he didn’t know what caused Derryberry’s shaky night.
“It’s hard to fault him when he makes three tremendous passes on that drive,” Guidie said. “I need to watch the film to figure out that answer.”
Derryberry recovered in the fourth quarter. From the Republic 15, Derryberry tossed a quick screen pass to receiver Steven Ellefsen, who powered through several defenders to score a touchdown.
On Republic’s ensuing drive, Ellefsen intercepted quarterback Blaze Carano, giving Carthage possession at the Republic 22. Seven plays later, Poston from the 1 bounced off a mass of players then ran left for the game’s final score.
Carthage (6-1) travels to Webb City (7-0) next Friday for a key conference and district game.
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Carthage gets past Republic
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