Carthage dominant in quarterfinal win over Battle

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By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Started from the bottom, now we’re here were the Drake lyrics Carthage coach Jon Guidie recited to his team in the postgame huddle with a smile.

A year ago, in the Class 5 Elite Eight, Carthage visited Columbia Battle and left with a season-ending 37-20 loss. That loss, followed by an 0-2 start to this season was Carthage’s bottom.

But… now they’re here.

Friday’s 28-7 win over Battle at the new David Haffner Stadium not only gave the Tigers a little revenge, but sent them to the Class 5 Final Four for the second time in the last three years.

“It’s unbelievable and I’m just so proud of these guys,” said Guidie. “This is something they talked about a year ago, getting back to this round. The resiliency that these kids have shown all year long after losing our first two games is just awesome, it’s a great group of kids.”

Turnovers ended Carthage’s first two drives, but once the Tigers cleaned things up it was domination as they outgained Battle 344-178 despite finishing the game with four turnovers.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME

Not even that could slow down senior receiver Arkell Smith, who put on an absolute clinic.

Smith finished with 105 yards and a pair of touchdowns on six receptions, but it was the timing of his scores that was so critical.

The first touchdown was the game’s first score, a diving 30-yard grab that helped settle Carthage after the two early turnovers.

The play came on a 4th and 3 situation and a run-pass option play for junior quarterback Zeke Sappington, who’s continued growth has coincided with Carthage’s winning streak.

Smith’s second score served as an early dagger. After catching a deep in, Smith ran through four would-be tacklers, carrying them into the end zone.

“He always makes plays that are special,” said Guidie. “That’s just what he does. Around here everyone knows him and what he’s capable of doing so he gets doubled or tripled. When we play someone that’s not familiar with us we got him in single coverage most of the night and were able to get the ball to him and let him do his thing.”

What made the second score so pivotal was the fact it came off a momentum-swinging, four-down defensive stand backed up against its own goal line.

Carthage was clinging to a 13-7 lead at the time. The 95-yard drive to counter seemed to steal the fight from Battle.

Maybe the most impressive part of Carthage’s performance was its ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

Offensively the Tigers rushed for 233 yards.

Senior Corben Pugh gave the Spartans fits with his ability to pick up yards in space. He rushed for 103 yards and a pair of scores on just seven carries. Sappington added 78 yards on “Zeke Keeps” and senior Clay Newman tallied 51 yards.

Carthage’s defense continues to be the story of the Tigers turnaround.

Early in the season they lacked physicality and struggled against power football. On Friday they went toe-to-toe with a big, physical front from Battle and excelled.

The Tigers have allowed just 11 PPG during their six-game winning streak.

“Our defense has taken a lot of pride in themselves the last few weeks,” said Guidie. “After that Neosho game they really sat down and had a heart to heart with each other. They came together and they’ve been playing fantastic.”

In Guidie’s postgame comments he thanked his team for giving him at least one more week to coach them. He’s now tasked with getting his team ready to play undefeated Class 5 No. 1 Staley on the road. They are led by John Raybourn who had accounted for 3,382 total yards 45 total touchdowns through 11 games.

He’s a Division One baseball prospect.

“We’re not real familiar with those guys. We don’t see them or have any common opponents or anything like that so we gotta go to work, get the film and get started. We’re excited to have the opportunity to get started.”

The date of the game has not been determined yet.

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