If one was to only look at the records of Webb City and Carthage, the game probably should have been a one-sided affair. However at the end of the night only two yards of offense and one point on the scoreboard is all that separated the Cardinals from upsetting the top team of the COC West standings in a 14-13 loss at Cardinal Stadium
The Cardinals struck on their first possession. After forcing a three and out from the Tigers, Webb City took over on their own forty yard line. Taking over six minutes and 13 plays, the offense methodically moved down the field on the ground before Jackson Lucas tossed a 7 yard touchdown pass to Gus Karnes and a 7-0 lead.
The defense was tested by the Tigers on the next drive as Carthage used almost 10 minutes of game time and 17 plays to get into the Cardinal red zone. On fourth down from the five yard line, the defense forced an errant pass and took over on downs.
The Cardinals were forced to punt from the own end zone, giving the Tigers the ball at the Webb City 42 with less than four minutes till half time. But that was all that was needed. The Tigers tied it up on a fourth down touchdown pass with only 90 seconds left in the half.
Each team had three possessions in the fast moving first half.
The first Cardinal possession of the second half ended in a punt. The Tigers then took lead on their next possession as they used two big pass plays in the drive to take a 14-7 lead late in the third quarter
Webb City broke off the largest play of the game two plays later when Jackson Lucas scooted 73 yards to the end zone, but the missed PAT ultimately was the difference in the game.
The second half seen the teams with only three possessions as the game came to a close with the Cardinals on the short side of the scoreboard.
The Cardinals had 272 yards of offense to the Tigers 274 yards. Jackson Lucas finished with 126 yards rushing and score and was 5 of 6 passing for another 72 yards and a scoring strike. Mason Williams caught two of the passes for 30 yards with Andrew Young catching one for 32 yards.
The Cardinals will recognize this years senior class in the final regular season contest next Friday when Joplin comes to town