CARTHAGE, Mo. — Overcoming an early 14-point deficit with an inspired effort, second-seeded Webb City knocked off top-seeded and previously undefeated Carthage 28-21 in the championship game of the Class 5 District 6 tournament at David Haffner Stadium.
The game was deadlocked at 21 when Webb City senior quarterback Cohl Vaden scored the game-winning touchdown with 27 seconds left.
Webb City (8-3) captured a district championship for the 22nd straight season and the Cardinals will host Lebanon (10-1) in next Friday's quarterfinals. 
The district title streak was clearly in jeopardy early in the contest, as the hosts took advantage of two Webb City turnovers to take a 14-0 cushion.
At the 6:35 mark of the first period, the Tigers had all of the momentum and a two-score lead. 
But the Cardinals finished strong, outscoring the Tigers 28-7 the rest of the way. 
Carthage handled Webb City 42-14 on September 17.
Carthage coach Jon Guidie noted the Cardinals won the battle in the trenches in Friday's rematch.
"I thought they (Webb City) were definitely the more physical team up front on both sides," Guidie said. "Our defense played fantastic. Our defense played well enough to win the football game. Offensively, we were not the same team up front that we have been. We missed a few opportunities, we had some guys open and we missed some shots. That happens sometimes."
-Jason Peake, SoMo Sports (in part)
 
STELLAR SEASON ENDS FOR TIGERS
Carthage ends a stellar season at 10-1. The Tigers, ranked second in Class 5, went undefeated through the always-tough Central Ozark Conference.
"This group of kids is one of the most special groups I've ever coached," Guidie said. "And I've been coaching for 29 years. So that says a lot. I miss them already to be honest. I love them and I'd do anything for them. I hope they don't view tonight as a reflection on the season they had. What they did this year was very special." 
The Tigers had 13 seniors on this year's roster. 
 
GAME RECAP
Webb City fumbled on the second play from scrimmage, with the Tigers recovering with great field position.
Senior Caden Kabance's 1-yard QB keeper capped a 33-yard drive and gave the Tigers an early 7-0 cushion.
Next, the Cardinals lost a fumble on the first play of the ensuing drive, with Carthage's Max Williams picking up the loose ball and sprinting 33 yards to the end zone. The scoop and score gave the Tigers a 14-0 cushion.
Capping a 9-play, 67-yard drive, Webb City's Cade Wilson scored on a 1-yard plunge to get the visitors on the board with 3:16 remaining in the first quarter. 
Webb City tied it up with 11:28 left in the second period on a nifty 38-yard touchdown strike from Vaden to Dante Washington and Dupree Jackson's 2-point conversion. 
The 14-14 score held up at the break and neither team scored in the third quarter.
Vaden's 4-yard QB keeper gave Webb City a 21-14 lead with 6:36 left. Vaden's 49-yard scamper on third and 43 set up the score.
After failing to score on six straight possessions, Carthage tied it up on Luke Gall's 24-yard run and the PAT kick by Chris Mejia with 5:08 left. 
Following a Webb City punt, Carthage lost a fumble, with Lucas Ott forcing it and Cooper Crouch recovering with 3:22 left.
Finishing off a methodical 8-play, 40-yard drive, Vaden's QB keeper from 3 yards out with 27 seconds left was the game-winner.
A last-second hail mary by the Tigers was picked off by Washington.
The Tigers had been averaging more than 43 points per game. The Cardinals held them to one score after the first quarter. 
 
NAMES & NUMBERS
Webb City finished with 327 yards on 61 plays, with 240 yards on the ground and 87 through the air.
Wilson ran 25 times for 146 yards, while Vaden had 66 yards on 12 carries. Vaden completed 4 of 11 passes, with three to Washington (65 yards) and one to William Hayes (22 yards).
Defensively, Kaylor Darnell was credited with nine tackles and Brentan Wilson had seven stops.
Carthage had 286 yards on 48 plays, with 247 rushing yards and 39 passing. 
Gall ran 18 times for 133 yards, while Kabance added 98 yards on 16 carries. Kabance completed 3 of 10 passes, with Cale Patrick (26 yards), Hudson Moore (12 yards) and Gall (1 yard) with one reception apiece. 
Antony Deleon had nine tackles for the Tigers, while Micah Lindsey and Zach Lansford had eight tackles apiece. 
  
WEBB CITY 28, CARTHAGE 21
Webb City    6     8     0    14—28
Carthage    14    0      0      7 —21
SCORING SUMMARY
CAR: Caden Kabance 1 run (Chris Mejia kick)
CAR: Max Williams 33 fumble recovery (Mejia kick)
WC: Cade Wilson 1 run (Kick failed)
WC: Dante Washington 38 pass from Cohl Vaden (Dupree Jackson run)
WC: Vaden 4 run (Washington kick)
CAR: Luke Gall 24 run (Mejia kick)
WC: Vaden 3 run (Washington kick)