SPECIAL PLAYERS: Nichols, Dougless key in Carthage's semifinal run

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Special teams, special plays, special players.

If there was a 2025 Carthage football guide to describe the team, that's how Tate Nichols and Malachi Dougless would be defined in the book.

"They're kind of unsung heroes. A lot of guys get attention for things, but these guys don't, really," Carthage head coach Jon Guidie said. "But the impact that they've had on us virtually every single week is unbelievable. Offense, defense, kicking game, every week they both seem to be making huge plays for us."

In football, there's a common term to refer to offensive weapons as "gadget" guys. This explains a player who can be used in many ways on offense whether that's catching passes or running the football or just finding ways to get the ball in their hands.

For example, Andy Reid has used a lot of his athletes on offense in this way during the Kansas City Chiefs' recent success the last few years.

Nichols and Dougless are gadget guys, but they aren't only on offense. Both of them line up as defensive backs when the Tigers are on defense. They also take the field for special teams. They play all game long.

"I'd do anything to help this team win, and it means a lot to me," Dougless said.

"I love being on the field and not coming off of it and giving our team the best chance we have to win the game, contribute to the game, and it just means a lot to be on the field the whole game and play hard," Nichols said.

Their effort and willingness to play as many plays as possible is a part of the reason the Tigers have gotten to the Class 5 semifinals of the state tournament this season. What they do is uncommon at this level of football versus classes 1, 2 and 3.

"Pretty special. It really is. They aren't the only ones. We have some other kids that do that, but for these guys to contribute as much as they do, it's been unbelievable," Guidie said.

"I wish we had about 10 more of them, to be honest. When you get guys that contribute as heavily as they do and don't specialize in one area, that's pretty important."

Nichols, Dougless and the rest of the Tigers (11-1) are set to face Cardinal Ritter (9-3) at 1 p.m. Saturday at David Haffner Stadium at Carthage High School.

By the numbers

Special is the word the junior duo used to describe their chance to contribute in all phases this year.

"It's really special," Nichols said.

"Not many of us get to start both ways," Dougless added.

Sometimes they catch passes from quarterback Zane Browning and sometimes they take handoffs on a jet sweep play from their wide receiver position.

On defense, they're covering the receivers for the opposing team. Dougless also is the place kicker and does kickoffs, field goals and PAT attempts. Nichols is a punt returner and kick returner.

This season, Nichols has had 17 receptions for 330 yards and one touchdown. He's also run the ball 32 times for 237 yards and two more scores.

Dougless has pulled in five catches for 73 yards and has carried the ball 14 times for 76 yards and a touchdown. He is eighth on the defense with 54 tackles and leads the defense with 10 pass breakups. He has one interception and one fumble recovery with a defensive touchdown to go along with them.

Nichols ranks tied for fifth with 68 tackles and is third with five PBUs. He's forced two fumbles and recovered one this season. He averages more than 30 yards per return no matter if it's a punt or kick return. He's returned six punts for 162 yards and has a punt return touchdown. He has 11 kick returns for 385 yards.

"I couldn't do it without the blockers ahead of me. I just see a gap, and I hit it," Nichols said.

Dougless had not missed a single kick prior to the postseason. He is now 58 of 59 on PATs and 2 for 3 on field goals. His lone missed field goal came last week when he attempted a 41-yarder right before halftime of Carthage's 36-17 win over Capital City.

His biggest kick of the season was a game-winning 25-yarder against Republic as time expired in their regular season matchup. Dougless' kick won the game 30-28.

"It's all timing. ... Zane (Browning) is able to put the ball down, and we're able to kick it off on time. It's a team effort," Dougless said. "To come up big in big games and being able to follow through on that, I'm not doing it for myself. I'm also doing it for the team."

Semifinal game

The Tigers and Lions are set to meet after lopsided wins last week. The Lions beat Fort Zumwalt North 38-13.

This is the third time in seven seasons that Carthage is playing in a semifinal game, and it gets to do so in front of the home fans.

"It's super exciting. ... Hometown, home crowd, everybody being here to support. It's just amazing. I love the atmosphere," Nichols said.

"Not many teams get this opportunity, and we're one of the few. ... We won't waste this opportunity," Dougless said.

Two of Ritter's three losses came against two of the best teams in Class 6 in Jackson (12-0) and Christian Brothers College (11-1). CBC lost to Jackson last week in the state quarterfinals.

"Very talented team, very athletic, fast, physical, very aggressive offensively and take a lot of shots," Guidie said. "Their defensive line is probably the best we have seen so far. ... Our offensive line is going to have a big challenge."

The Lions' aggressiveness comes in their air attack, and they will look to beat Dougless and Nichols vertically with their weapons on the outside. Guidie noted that all of the playmakers have speed as well.

He believes the development of his defense and the offensive line throughout the season are another reason his team made it to this point. Now, they'll be called upon to keep the season going one more week.

"Offensive line has to have its best game of the year, period. Our pass protection has to be really, really good because they're coming every snap," Guidie said. "I think we have to get to the quarterback. ... He throws the deep ball really well. Bottom line is our guys have to cover in the secondary."

Most of all, he's happy for this team to have the chance to play on semifinal Saturday:

"It means everything, to be honest. ... I know these guys all had goals to be in this game right here. This has been such a great group to work with. Every day is just a joy to come out and practice," Guidie said. "I'm genuinely happy for these players to be able to play in this type of game and atmosphere."