CARTHAGE, Mo. – The Carthage Tigers host the Francis Howell Vikings on Saturday in the Missouri Class 5 state semifinals.
Carthage is 11-1 heading into the weekend, while the Vikings are a perfect 12-0.
With a win, the Tigers would earn a spot in the state championship game for the first time since 2019 – and a shot to bring home the second state title in program history.
“That’s the goal. That’s been the goal since the first week of June, and these guys have stuck to it,” says Carthage head coach Jon Guidie, “I think it would mean the world to these guys and to our community. We do have some kids who played on that state championship team in Luke Gall and Hudson Moore. Those guys bring a certain level of experience because of that.”
“It’s been a completely different environment out here this week,” says senior DT Micah Lindsey on the week of preparation leading up to Saturday’s game, “We had an extra day. We grinded that day and we had a good early-morning practice on Thanksgiving. It was a great week.”
“This is a great place to be on any Friday night, but even more so in the playoffs and in the state semifinals,” Guidie adds on getting to play at home Saturday, “I believe this is the second one we’ve hosted in the last few years. It’s a special time, it really is. I’m hoping for a huge crowd and lots of fun.”
Kickoff for Saturday’s game is at 1 PM in Carthage.
COPYRIGHT 2022 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.