A season of promise
The Carthage Tigers capped the 2025 campaign with a flourish, finishing with double‑digit wins in seven of their last eleven seasons and securing a Class 5 championship before a heartbreaking overtime loss to Platte County. The team’s offense averaged 38 points per game while allowing just 18, a balance that defined their dominant performance.
Offensive firepower
Head coach Jon Guidie praised the unit’s explosiveness, highlighting quarterback Zane Browning’s leadership and the return of three starting linemen — Cooper Charleston, Ethan Roach and Jeriah Bayless — who helped the Tigers average 38 points per game. Senior running back Landon West topped the ground game with 1,889 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, while receiver Tate Nichols contributed 385 receiving yards and two scores, also adding 257 rushing yards and two more touchdowns.
Defensive backbone
On the other side of the ball, standout defender Jett Dalton recorded 101 tackles, five tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles, earning first‑team All‑COC‑West and second‑team all‑state honors. Defensive back Tate Nichols added 77 tackles, four tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries, while Malachi Dougless proved versatile, excelling at kicker, returner and occasional offensive snaps.
Looking ahead
The Tigers open the fall with an August 21 jamboree and a season‑opening game against Nixa, followed by home matchups versus Lebanon on September 4, Glendale, Joplin, Willard and Neosho. The schedule promises a blend of familiar rivals and new challenges as the team aims to translate its near‑miss into a championship next year.