KENOSHA, Wis. — The Carthage College football team opened up their 2021 spring schedule with a 21-0 victory over North Park on Friday at Art Keller Field.

On their second drive of the game, the Firebird offense quickly moved into enemy territory with a handful of completions from Billy Dury to sophomore receiver Alex Jarvis. Following a 26-yard run by Payden Lingle, Dury punched it into the endzone on a run to the right side to make it 7-0. After the Carthage defense forced punts on back-to-back drives in the second quarter, Jacob Boucher found the endzone on a 15-yard rush, giving the home team a 14-0 advantage by the end of the half.

To open the third quarter, the Firebirds forced a three-and-out to quickly regain possession. Highlighted by a 39-yard passing play from Dury to the day's leading receiver, Jarvis, Carthage marched down the field before Dury found Cole Vercelli for a score to make it 21-0. The Firebird's defensive unit maintained the shutout victory to seal the team's win in their first action back in over a year.

Carthage will hit the road next weekend for a scrimmage at Carroll University, scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, April 10.
 

Head Coach Dustin Hass

"It was great to finally be back playing football again. After 503 days without being able to compete, we were a pretty rusty football team, but the kids played with tremendous effort. I am very proud of the way these guys have battled from last March all the way to today. The sacrifices they have made and the resiliency they have shown has been nothing short of outstanding. There are a lot of things we need to clean up and improve on, but couldn't be happier to have been able to play today and get a shutout win."
 

Quick Facts

• Sophomore Alex Jarvis led the Firebirds in receiving today, pulling in 10 catches for 149 yards.
• Quarterback Billy Dury threw for 206 yards and a touchdown today, completing 19 passes.
• After seeing time at quarterback and wide receiver last year, Jalen Dennis switched over to defensive back and recorded his first interception in the third quarter.
• Running backs Payden Lingle and Jacob Boucher combined for 115 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground today.

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