By Chad Hayworth (for OzarksSportsZone.com)
ST. JOSEPH — This time, overtime wasn't so kind to the Carthage Tigers.
In 2019, the Tigers held Jackson in overtime of the Class 5 title game, then scored to capture the school's first-ever state title.
On Friday night at Missouri Western State University's Spratt Stadium, Platte County scored on its first play in OT, then forced the Tigers into a fourth and 2 from the 17-yard line. Carthage quarterback Zane Browning's pass couldn't find receiver Jett Dalton, giving the Pirates a 34-26 victory and their second-straight state championship.
"It's pretty painful, I'm not going to lie," said Tiger Coach Jon Guidie. "Any time you lose, it's hard. The manner in which we lost makes it even harder. And then to see these kids, which were an absolute dream to coach this year, the pain they felt at that moment, it's hard and it's humbling."
The Tigers trailed by a pair of touchdowns early in the second quarter but rallied to tie the game.
"There were times in the game itself where I would just look out there and I would be amazed at the heart and the courage these guys played with," Guidie said. "As for the game itself, it was about what we had hoped. We hoped to run the football and chew up clock and keep their offense off the field, and it almost worked to perfection tonight.
Platte County scored on the game's opening drive on an 8-yard run from Adam Gisler, but the Tigers answered immediately.
The Tigers mounted a 10-play, 74-yard drive, mixing runs from Browning and junior running back Landon West, who capped the drive with a 2-yard dive into the end zone, tying the game at 7 with 3:08 to play in the quarter.
On the Pirates' next possession, quarterback Rocco Marriott got loose, running for a 7-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead. But he was sandwiched by a pair of Carthage defenders as he crossed the goal line, suffering a leg injury that would hamper him the rest of the contest.
Early in the second quarter, Carthage pinned the Pirates deep in their own end with Browning's booming punt that rolled to the Platte County 3-yard line. A penalty moved the ball pack a yard and a half, giving the Pirates first down at their own 1 ½-yard line.
But Gisler would break free along the Platte County sideline for a 98½ yard touchdown, the longest scoring run in MSHSAA championship history.
Trailing 21-7 against the defending state champs, Carthage looked to be in trouble.
But the Tigers mounted another scoring drive, capped when Malachi Dougless recovered a Tiger fumble in the end zone, cutting the lead to 21-14 with 7:47 to play in the first half.
The Tigers recovered an onside kick, then ran 11 plays for 49 yards, capped by another Browning dive into the end zone.
Carthage avoided disaster on the drive, after a replay review showed that West stepped out at the 5-yard line before he had the ball knocked loose. The initial call of a touchback was overturned, giving the Tigers new life.
"We had some things go out way," Guidie said. "Going into the half we felt like we were doing OK up front controlling the line of scrimmage."
Platte County got a 66-yard touchdown from Tres Baskerville to take a 28-21 lead late in the third quarter.
Carthage again answered, with Browning's second touchdown of the night, a 8-yard run, with 3:59 to play in the game.
"That's what a state title game is supposed to look like," said Platte County Coach Bill Utz. "I want to give Carthage a ton of credit."
West led the Tigers with 124 yards rushing on 37 carries, while also catching two passes for 19 yards. Browning finished with 65 yards rushing and two scores on 19 carries, while also completing four of eight passes for 84 yards.
Nicholas Tate led the Tigers in receiving yards, his one catch on the night good for 55.
Carthage finishes the season 12-2, their only losses to Platte County and Nixa, who plays Saturday for a Class 6 title.
"When the dust settles, they are going to realize how special they are," Guidie said of his team. "I know it hurts now, but they are going to realize this is one of the best teams in Carthage history, and they should be very proud of that."