By Don Abernathy (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Less than three minutes into the third quarter on Friday, visiting Carthage had Nixa on the ropes.
The Tigers took possession — and then took the lead — just after halftime, only to see Nixa explode for perhaps its best half of football so far this season.
Nixa seniors Jayden McCaster and Randy Flint each had huge scoring plays in the decisive third quarter as the Eagles ran away with a 38-22 Central Ozark Conference victory at Eagle Stadium.
“I’ll be honest and straightforward, I think our first three games weren’t that good,” Flint said. “I think we were playing really crappy, but I think this game is our turning point, and after this it will be amazing.”
It took just six plays for Carthage to take the lead (14-10) after halftime when junior Landon West scored on a 1-yard run.
But it took just one play for Nixa to answer back.
Taking the snap out of the Wildcat formation, McCaster ran left, broke a tackle near the line of scrimmage, and raced 64 yards for the score, giving Nixa a 17-14 lead only 16 seconds later.
“They were loading the box, they were trying to hit all the gaps really hard,” McCaster said. “I think it worked for them in the beginning, but once we were able to find those creases and get me the ball a little quicker, that’s ultimately what gave us success.”
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The Eagles’ defense forced Carthage into a three-and-out on its ensuing possession, before lightning appeared to strike twice.
McCaster once again took the snap, bounced outside to the left, and scored on a 57-yard touchdown run.
“That third quarter was probably as good as we’ve played this year, and we needed every bit of it because Carthage is really good,” Nixa coach John Perry said. “Carthage is one of the best-coached teams in the COC and they have been for the six years that I’ve been here. Their players are tough, they’re strong, they’re physical, and they do a fantastic job as coaches of scheming you on offense.”
With Carthage on the move deep in Nixa territory late in the third quarter, it was Flint’s turn to spark his team.
Dropping back in coverage, Flint intercepted a Carthage pass at the 9-yard line and took it 91 yards for the touchdown. Flint’s play gave Nixa a 31-14 lead, seemingly breaking the Tigers’ spirit in the process.
“That was probably the biggest play of the game,” Perry said. “They were driving and Randy intercepts it and goes 91 yards for the touchdown. I thought that completely took the wind out of their sails, and it gave us some breathing room so our kids could relax and just play. I thought that was a really big play in the game.”
Appearing to still be in a bit of a daze, Carthage went three-and-out again, and the Eagles were ready to swoop in for another score.
The Eagles used 10 plays and moved 40 yards when McCaster added his third touchdown of the game, this time a 1-yard run, making the score 38-14.
“I was really proud of our kids in the second half for having that seven minutes span where our kids made some really big plays and put it out of reach,” Perry said. “We’ve played good enough to win ball games against good teams, and there’s something to be said for that, but I thought in the second half tonight we took a step in the right direction.”
Carthage scored on its final possession when senior quarterback Zane Browning ran it in for a 6-yard touchdown. Browning then connected with junior Tate Nichols for the 2-point conversion and the game’s the final score.
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McCaster led Nixa (4-0) with a game-high 185 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
On the third play of the game, Nixa junior quarterback Adam McKnight connected with Flint down the right sideline for a 73-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the game.
The ball from McKnight was on time and on target deep down the sideline and Flint scored untouched.
“If you know our team, then you know it’s way deeper than just the catch,” Flint said. “Because during summer, in practice, even extra reps after practice, we would work on any play that’s a deep ball. So tonight when that time came, we were ready for it.”
McKnight finished 8-for-12 passing for 142 yards and a touchdown.
Browning led Carthage (3-1) with 106 yards rushing on 18 carries and finished 6-for-8 passing with an interception. West added 95 yards rushing with a touchdown on 18 carries before leaving with an injury in the third quarter.
