For more than three quarters, Republic stood toe-to-toe with Carthage and looked poised to pull a COC upset on the road. But late mistakes doomed the Tigers, and Carthage pulled away for a 41-20 win.
With 11:09 left in the game, Republic built on a 13-12 lead with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Zach Hall to Garrett Metscher. and the score was 20-12.
Carthage answered about two minutes later. With 9:06 left, EJ Morgan caught a touchdown pass. After Carthage converted for two points, the teams were tied 20-20.
Carthage forced Republic to punt and quickly drove the field for the go-ahead score. It came on another TD pass to Morgan with 5:11 left, and made the score 27-20.
On Republic’s next possession, they turned the ball over on downs around their own 30-yard line. Carthage capitalized on a short field, and Seth Beckner ran the ball in from 11 yards out to make the lead 34-20.
Beckner, one of southwest Missouri’s best running backs, had 203 yards on 29 carries for Carthage.
A late interception led to another Carthage touchdown for the final score of 41-20.
Zach Hall started his first game at quarterback. He completed 13 of 29 passes for 150 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
TK Brigance had his biggest game of the year for Republic, with 104 rushing yards. Garrett Metscher had six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
James Desjardins shared time at quarterback in the first half, but left the game with a shoulder injury. He didn’t play in the second half.
Carthage led 12-7 at halftime. Republic scored on two straight possessions in the third quarter to take the 20-12 lead, before Carthage took over down the stretch.