Class 5 No. 3 Carthage picked up a big district win over Class 5 No. 5 Webb City, 28-14, on Friday after playing in front for most of the game before pulling away to a two-score lead late.
The win gives the Tigers a 7-1 record, while the Cardinals are 5-3 on the season. Carthage came into the game with 45.53 points atop the district standings, while Republic—who beat Neosho tonight—came in at second at 44 points. Neosho (40.92) and Webb City (38.59) came in at third and fourth.
Carthage marched 80 yards down the field on 14 plays on the opening drive to take the initial lead with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from QB Zane Browning on third-and-goal at the 4:37 mark of the first quarter for a seven-point cushion.
Webb City answered back with a big play through the air after WR Trey Turner hauled in a 55-yard pass from QB Braden Strickland to tie the game at 7-7 with 40 seconds left in the first quarter.
Carthage took the lead back just before the half after RB Landon West scored from 4 yards out with 38 seconds on the clock to cap a seven-play 56-yard drive for a 14-7 advantage.
Webb City answered back three plays into the third quarter after RB Mason Williams scored from 7 yards out after a long run by Strickland set up the touchdown to tie the game at 14-14.
The Tigers regained the lead with 2:31 left in the third quarter after Browning capped a 62-yard drive with a 1-yard run.
Carthage iced the game with another long drive late in the fourth quarter that culminated in a 5-yard touchdown run from West with 1:27 to play to push the lead to two scores, 28-14.