Carthage controlled the clock and the scoreboard Friday night, defeating Republic 31-14 in a Central Ozark Conference matchup. The Tigers struggled to stop Carthage on third and fourth downs, especially early in the game. Carthage racked up 322 total yards to Republic’s 194.
“That’s what we try to do. That’s what we are able to do at times. You know, take the clock, run the ball, pound, pound, pound, and every now and then take a shot,” said Republic coach Ryan Cornelsen. “And so we got a taste of our own medicine.”
Carthage built a 21-0 lead before Republic scored just before halftime. The Tigers drove 70 yards in 10 plays, aided by a pass interference call. Sophomore quarterback Trenten Coleman, making his first varsity start, connected with Cannon Ellison on a 14-yard touchdown pass with five seconds left in the half.
Republic failed to score on its first possession after halftime, and Carthage extended its lead to 28-7. The Tigers answered with a 59-yard drive, scoring on 4th and goal from the 10 on another Coleman-to-Ellison pass.
Republic recovered an onside kick but couldn’t capitalize, and Carthage sealed the win with a field goal.
Coleman finished with 59 yards rushing on 11 carries. He completed 3 of 7 passes for 28 yards and two touchdowns. Ellison caught both scoring passes, finishing with 24 receiving yards.
Despite the loss, Cornelsen found some positives in his team’s performance.
“Things weren’t working, we were having penalties, we weren’t very explosive, and then right before half we grind out a drive. I was proud of that,” he said. “I was proud of, even in the second half there were times I felt like they kept fighting.”
Cornelsen also saw the defeat as a chance for team growth.
“We’ve won together. We’ve celebrated together. And when you get your tail kicked, you’ve got to wear that together,” he said. “And so I felt like as a team we matured a little bit and we wore it together.”
Republic falls to 5-2. Carthage is 6-1. Republic travels to Neosho next Friday.