Week 6 Southwest Conference football preview

Mac Co.-Carthage

ANDERSON -- While conference play will be wrapping up for Carthage in a matter of weeks, the McDonald County Mustangs will make its Southwest Conference foray Friday night at home.

The Mustangs, 2-3 overall, will face a Carthage squad that is ranked No. 3 in Class 4 and is 4-1 on the year.

McDonald County coach Jeff Wilkie and his coaching staff knows they are running into one of the best teams in the state.

"One of the biggest threats they have offensively, that obviously everyone knows about is Caleb Sanders," said Wilkie. "He is a great player. I think the guy that has given them a difference is their quarterback (Trey Derryberry). He brings a different dimension with how well he runs. You have to honor him and his ability to run and pass. Their wideouts are good players and you have got to watch where they put Sanders too. Their team speed is outstanding. (Skylar) Rawlins from Seneca could run and Grove had three players who could fly, but as a team, Carthage is as good as anyone we will see."

Of course that bears the great question: How do you stop speed?

"We have got to contain it," said Wilkie. "But you look at Webb City, the No. 1 team in the state. They weren't able to contain Sanders and he came up with a big run against them. I don't know if anyone will shut them down, but you have to play real responsibility-oriented defense."

Wilkie added this year's Carthage squad is different than in past years, but still very, very good.

"They don't have a big back they pound you with like Jourdan Moore," said Wilkie. "They are a lot more of a vertical threat, like when Owen Johns was there at quarterback during Buckmaster's second year there. They are a very good team, having played Webb City and Nixa. It's a great challenge for us."

On offense, the Mustangs will look to establish the run, mixing in Kord Stancell, D.J. Hatfield and Taylor Wilkie.

"They have a big quarterback in Taylor Wilkie," Carthage Coach Guidie said. "He's 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, throws the ball extremely well and is a threat to run also. They also have a big, bruising fullback in Kord Stancell, a 5-10, 210 sophomore. We need to stop the inside running game and contain their quarterback," Guidie said. "On offense, we need to recognize defensive fronts and adjust blocking schemes."

Webb City

WEBB CITY, Mo. -- It seems like most football games are considered a rival of some variety for Webb City.

Sometimes it's a Southwest Conference rival, others it's a team the Cardinals play often in the playoffs.

This week Webb City travels to Pittsburg, Kan., for its annual interstate rival Purple Dragons.

"Pittsburg is always a good opponent," said Webb City Head Coach John Roderique. "They always have talented players and their coaches always do a good job of getting them ready to play.

"They never beat themselves and you must play well to win this game. If you don't play to your potential, you will not win, so this has become a good rivalry."

Both teams are coming off comfortable home wins. The Cardinals cruised past Nevada 49-14 while Pittsburg blasted Coffeyville (Kan.) Field Kindley.

This is the last game for Pittsburg before the Purple Dragons begin district play. It's also the first year Pittsburg, usually a Class 5 team, plays in Class 4.

"Our offense threw for 220 yards last week," Roderique said. "But we gave up too many yards, first downs and points against Nevada."

Pittsburg has a variety of offensive weapons from which to choose.

"Ty Siam their quarterback, Jacob Wilson their tailback, and Kiara Jones and C.J. Fondren their wide receivers are all outstanding players," Roderique said.

"They give you multiple looks on offense. They're a good passing team but also very good at running the ball with the quarterback and tailback. All of their skilled kids have good speed.

"They're a very physical team with good size and they play hard. They defend the run and pass equally well. We have to control the ball and the line of scrimmage. We cannot afford to make mistakes like penalties and turnovers."

This past week's win wasn't without it's cost. Defensive lineman Brett Stewart injured his ankle and his status this week is unknown. If he can't go, Chase Philpot might start in his place.