Tigers prevail 10-7 over Webb City in defensive battle

CARTHAGE, Mo. — The last time the Webb City Cardinals and Carthage Tigers faced off, the Tigers walked away with a 36-14 win. Friday's Class 5 District 6 quarterfinal was more of a defensive battle and Carthage outlasted the Cardinals for a 10-7 win.The fourth-seeded Tigers got on the board first when Malachi Dougless drilled a 23-yard field goal at the 11:58 mark of the second quarter. Carthage increased its lead with 3:57 left in the half when quarterback and former Cardinal Slade Stiffler scored on a one-yard run. Dougless' PAT was good to give the Tigers a 10-0 lead going into the half.Dougless also ended a Webb City drive with 3:39 left in the first half when he intercepted a Young pass intended for Malachi Njoroge.Carthage had to start the second half without the services of its starting running back Landon West, who suffered a leg injury with about 3:30 left in the first half.Webb City running back Abel Getz ran the ball in from nine yards out with 47 seconds left in the third quarter and with Brady Wallace's extra point, the Cardinals trailed by just a field goal at 10-7.The fifth-seeded Cardinals turned the ball over on downs at the Webb City 34-yard line with 2:40 left in the game, but got the ball back after a defensive stop of their own and set up shop at the Webb City 29-yard line with 1:37 left. Later, on a fourth and eight, quarterback Mason Young found Austin Arft for a seven-yard completion but the Cardinals fell one-yard short of the first down and Carthage was able to go into victory formation and run out the clock.Stiffler ran for 92 yards and a touchdown. He was 2 for 4 through the air for 61 yards.Young led the Cardinals' rushing attack with 78 yards.With the win, Carthage (7-3) advances to play top-seeded Republic next Friday at RHS. Webb City ended its season with a 6-4 record.