Another football season ended for the Lebanon High School on Saturday afternoon as the Carthage Tigers used the turnover battle to their advantage, winning 35-14 in the Class 5 state quarterfinals.
With the loss, it marks five of the past six years the season has ended in the quarterfinal round.
Lebanon keeps knocking on the door to get to the state semifinals, and one day, that door will get kicked down, and the ‘Jackets will prevail to get this program and community what they deserve.
However, turnovers proved costly in the loss as the ‘Jackets turned the ball over three times and got a punt blocked deep in their own territory.
“Anytime you get in a championship-type game, turnovers are pivotal,” head coach Will Christian said after the loss. “Look at last week, for example. We didn’t win that battle today, and that was a key part, but it wasn’t just that. There were a lot of details where Carthage was the better football team.”
On the game's opening drive, Carthage (11-1 overall) drove deep into Lebanon territory but came up short on 4th down on an incomplete pass. Lebanon (11-2 overall) took over but fumbled the first play from scrimmage, setting up a good field for the Tigers.
Six plays later, Air Force commit Luke Gall waltzed into the end zone to take a 7-0 lead with 3:24 remaining in the first quarter.
The ‘Jackets were forced to punt on their ensuing drive, but an errant snap set the Lebanon defense up in a good position to respond. LHS answered with a 10-play, 61-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown from senior captain Cade Muscia from three yards out to tie the game.
For the complete edition, check out Wednesday's edition of the Laclede County Record.
