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Hayes-Davion
Rayna Jackson
14
Lakeland LAK 0-1 , 0-0
23
Winner Carthage CAR 1-0 , 0-0
Lakeland LAK
0-1 , 0-0
14
Final
23
Carthage CAR
1-0 , 0-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
LAK Lakeland 0 0 8 6 14
CAR Carthage 13 3 7 0 23

Game Recap: Football |

Firebirds Strike Early, Hold Off Lakeland 23-14

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Carthage College football team opened the 2026 season with a 23-14 victory over Lakeland University on Friday night at Art Keller Field. With Friday night's victory, Carthage has won back-to-back season openers for the first time since the 2017 season. The last time the Firebirds accomplished the feat, they defeated fellow Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) foe Aurora 51-11 in 2016 and 24-0 in 2017.

The Basics
  • Final Score: Carthage 23 – Lakeland 14
  • Location: Kenosha, Wisconsin – Art Keller Field
  • Records: Carthage 1-0, Lakeland 0-1
How it Happened
  • Carthage wasted little time getting on the scoreboard after Lakeland's opening possession ended with a punt. The Firebirds took over at their own 19-yard line and needed just two plays to reach the end zone, with Davion Hayes breaking loose for a 64-yard touchdown run with 9:39 remaining in the first quarter. The touchdown gave Carthage an early 6-0 lead.
  • The Firebirds' defense responded with another key stop, turning the ball over on downs at the Carthage 44-yard line. Carthage capitalized with a five-play, 44-yard scoring drive that ended when Jack DeFilippis connected with Mikel McGowan Jr. for a 16-yard touchdown with 5:45 remaining in the opening quarter. Mugdim Kreho added the extra point, giving Carthage a 13-0 advantage.
  • Lakeland struggled to sustain momentum offensively in the remainder of the first half, while Carthage's defense continued to make plays in critical situations. With 31 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Lakeland running back Jontae Lambert broke off a 17-yard run before fumbling, with Brad Filippis forcing the turnover and Ramon Campos recovering for the Firebirds.
  • Carthage converted the takeaway into three points early in the second quarter. After reaching the Lakeland 27-yard line, Kreho connected on a 45-yard field goal with 11:14 remaining in the half to extend the Firebirds' lead to 16-0.
  • Lakeland mounted a late second-quarter threat, driving deep into Carthage territory before the Firebirds' defense stopped the Muskies on fourth down. Carthage held Lakeland scoreless through the first half and carried a 16-0 advantage into the locker room.
  • Carthage opened the second half with another explosive special-teams play. Hayes fielded the kickoff at the Carthage 5-yard line and raced 95 yards for a touchdown with 14:46 remaining in the third quarter. Kreho's extra point pushed the Firebirds' lead to 23-0.
  • Lakeland answered with its first scoring drive of the night, traveling 65 yards in 12 plays. Quarterback Carson Glosny found Caleb Besaw for a 20-yard touchdown with 10:53 remaining in the third quarter. Lakeland then successfully converted a two-point attempt, cutting the deficit to 23-8.
  • The Muskies threatened again late in the third quarter, reaching the Carthage 1-yard line. The Firebirds once again came up with a critical takeaway to keep Lakeland out of the end zone and preserve the 15-point advantage.
  • Lakeland continued to pressure Carthage in the fourth quarter, driving inside the Firebirds' 20-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Carthage's defense held Lakeland without a score on multiple trips into the red zone, with the Muskies finishing 1-for-4 in red-zone scoring opportunities.
  • Lakeland eventually found the end zone again with 1:41 remaining when Glosny connected with Braylon Reece for a 26-yard touchdown. The Muskies' ensuing two-point attempt failed, leaving Carthage with a 23-14 lead.
  • Carthage took over at its own 50-yard line with 1:40 remaining and turned to Hayes to close out the victory. Hayes picked up a first down on a 10-yard run, allowing the Firebirds to drain the remaining clock and secure the season-opening win.


High Flyers
  • Hayes led the Firebirds on the ground with 20 carries for 151 yards and a touchdown, including the 64-yard scoring run. Carthage finished with 215 rushing yards on 40 attempts and 260 yards of total offense.
  • McGowan Jr. caught two passes for 33 yards and a touchdown, including the 16-yard scoring reception in the first quarter.
  • Hayes provided the game's biggest special-teams play with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. He finished with two kickoff returns for 109 yards and three punt returns for 14 yards.
  • Kreho connected on his only field-goal attempt, a 45-yarder, and converted both of his extra-point attempts.
  • Defensively, Carthage recorded 65 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Filippis finished with seven tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery, while Rowlett recorded six tackles, one tackle for loss, and a sack. - Campos and Mariano Talamantez were among the Firebirds' defensive leaders, with Campos recovering a fumble and Talamantez contributing throughout the game as Carthage repeatedly came up with stops in key situations.
Coachs Remarks


Team Results
  • The Firebirds head to Eau Claire for a 1 p.m. game on Saturday, September 19. 
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