CARTHAGE — Penalty after penalty against Nixa's offense Friday negated any hope of sustaining drives early on and led to the Carthage Tigers victory over the Eagles by a score of 38-7. Carthage
Tigers signal caller Zeke Sappington scored on a 17-yard scamper on Carthage's opening possession and the boys in blue never looked back.
A false start and a turnover on fourth down by Nixa gave the Tigers prime real estate with which to work.
Junior running back Tyler Mueller hit the holes with authority, as the versatile back found the end zone on a 2-yard run with 1:27 remaining in the first half.
A 39-yard touchdown reception by wideout Jayden Morgan put the Tigers up 14-0 on the Tigers' second possession.
Balance was part of the equation for Mueller and his counterparts — from quarterback draws to reverses to jump cuts by the running backs to a stout, stingy defense.
Tucker Downing added a 76-yard touchdown touchdown run for Carthage.
Rehagen and his Eagles will look for a different outcome in their Aug. 31 home opener against Republic.
"We didn't help ourselves. They [Carthage] play very sound defense and they always have," said Rehagen. "You've got to go block them, and we just weren't helping ourself. We put ourselves way, way, way behind the chains multiple times against a good defense, and it becomes really hard."
Nixa concluded the first half with five offensive penalties and two turnovers — giving added opportunities to Carthage.
Carthage outgained the Eagles on offense in the first half, 267-65.
After a 13-play drive culminated with a Mueller 18-yard score to put the host up 28-0 to open the third quarter, Nixa could have tossed in the proverbial towel.
But the defense clamped down and pounced on the high snap, as junior defensive lineman DeSean Downs scooped up the loose ball and found his way to the end zone for Nixa's lone score with 8:32 remaining in the third quarter.
The Tigers offense finished with five touchdowns and one field goal on 520 yards of offense.
-Tyler Thompson, CCHeadliner.com