It isn’t a formula which offers the possibility of great success for Carl Junction.
The Bulldogs allowed a series of costly big plays in an opening football loss to Webb City last Friday.
Carthage, tonight’s Week 2 opponent for the Bulldogs, rang up almost 700 yards worth of big plays in an opening slugfest against Seneca.
The Carl Junction-at-Carthage game has been moved ahead a night because of the strong possibility of a rainy backlash from the tailend of Hurricane Isaac. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at K.E. Baker Stadium, where the playing surface is natural grass.
Maybe the Bulldogs should have held out for the possibility of playing on a muddy field?
“Our kids will be ready,” said Jesse Wall, Carl Junction coach. “It will be a good move if it pours Friday, if it rains 4-8 inches. If not, it will have been a bad decision.”
Said Carthage athletic director Andy Youngworth, of the ominous Friday forecast: “I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
The final Carthage statistics from an opening 61-47 decision over Seneca read something like a super-speed video game. The Tigers finished with 687 yards, but still needed a late interception for the eventual two-touchdown separation.
Tigers running back Seth Beckner had a career night with 370 yards rushing and receiving. That total doesn’t even include his return yards, coach Jon Guidie noted.
Beckner ran out of gas, with leg cramps in the second half, and junior Cameron Priester added six carries for 101 yards. Quarterback Jordan Musser was 11-of-15 for 289 yards passing.
Receivers Jordan Dangerfield (who also grabbed the interception) and E.J. Morgan also had big nights. Eight of the Tigers’ nine touchdowns covered 19 yards or more.
“They have a lot of speed,” Wall said. “What they try to do is get the ball to those players, in space, and let them run. We have to do a better job on defense of holding our positions.
“The other thing we can’t do on defense is give up big plays,” Wall added. “Against Webb City (in a 44-3 home loss), it was 15-12 in first downs, which means we gave up a lot of big plays.”
But that margin was deceptive, Wall believes. And Guidie agrees.
“They did some nice things offensively (with about 275 yards),” Guidie said of the Bulldogs. “They have some playmakers and they were able to move the football. Their offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the game. ... We’re going to have our hands full once again.”
The Tigers’ explosive offense is countered by a green defense. At one time, there were 11 first-year varsity players on the field.
“We expected we’re going to have to ride the storm out (until the defense gains experience),” Guidie said.
Said Wall: “We had a lot of good things that happened. We moved the ball effectively on many occasions, but we can’t bog down and not get the ball in the end zone. We need to throw the ball more effectively.”
Sports
August 30, 2012
Carl Junction-Carthage football game moved up to Thursday
- High School Sports
- Missouri Southern Sports
- Pittsburg State Sports
-
-
Large-school state track and field competition begins today
Globe File Carl Junction's Alex McMullen (left), pictured during the district track meet on May 11, is part of the Bulldogs' 4x400 relay team that has qualified for the Class 3 state meet in Jefferson City.
Shane Williams of Mount Vernon is among the favorites in three events at the MSHSAA Class 3 Track and Field Championships on Friday and Saturday at Dwight Reed Stadium in Jefferson City.
Continued ... - 2 Lions earn All-American track honors
- Eagles' state tennis entries are veterans
- Oronogo driver wins second feature
- Seven athletes selected for PSU's hall of fame
-
