KENOSHA, Wis. - After a two-year stint residing in Waukesha, 'The Old Musket' will go back to Carthage College after they defeated Carroll 30-27 Saturday afternoon in the annual rivalry game. The Pioneers got out to an early 14-0 lead, and didn't trail in the contest until the final minute and a half after Carthage erased a 12-point deficit.

The game's team stats were just as even as the score, with Carroll (4-4, 3-4 CCIW) out-gaining the Firebirds (2-6, 2-5 CCIW) in total offense, 353-320. Carroll also held a slight edge in both rushing yards (101-98) and passing yards (252-222). The two teams combined to score seven times in seven trips to the red zone.

Carroll got off to a fast start, breaking a scoreless tie mid-way through the opening quarter when Josh Raby found Austin Eichstaedt for a nine-yard touchdown pass. Four minutes later, Raby found the end zone by himself on a one-yard TD plunge to take a 14-0 first quarter lead. The Firebirds then got on the board with 11 and a half minutes remaining in the opening half when Bryce Lowe connected with Jackson Westmoreland for a seven-yard TD pass. The Pioneers answered that score quickly and swiftly, scoring three plays later on the ensuing possession, which covered 73 yards and was capped by a 22-yard touchdown pass from Raby to Eichstaedt. Carthage would close the gap just before halftime with a critical score on a six-yard TD pass from Lowe to Gibson Groves, cutting Carroll's lead to 21-12 at the half.

Carthage added a 29-yard field goal to open the second half scoring, which cut it to a one score lead, but Carroll answered with a touchdown drive to get some breathing room, as Raby found JR Muth for an 18-yard touchdown pass mid-way through the third quarter to make the score 27-15. Carthage then cut into that lead with a three-yard TD pass from Lowe to Bryce Frank in the final seconds of the third period. The score would remain 27-22 until there was one and a half minutes remaining and Lowe found Jordan Wiles for a 27-yard touchdown to cap an eight-play, 80-yard drive, which proved to be the game-winner.

Raby finished the game completing 24-of-36 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Eichstaedt served as the Pios' top receiving threat, catching 11 passes for 121 yards and two scores. Josh Hill added six catches for 84 yards, while Marcus Johnson led the team in rushing with a career-high 118 yards on 18 carries (6.6 ypc). Defensively, Carroll was led by Will Campbell's 16 tackles (10 solo).

Carthage was led by Lowe, who completed 30-of-41 passes for 222 yards and four TDs. Eight different Firebirds caught at least one pass, led by Lowe's top target Wiles, who caught 11 passes for 92 yards. Defensively, Carthage was led by Chris DeVito's 14 tackles, while the Firebirds also recorded two sacks, one interception, and two fumble recoveries.

Carroll will now try to rebound next weekend when they'll play their final home game of the season Saturday against Millikin in what will also be Senior Day for the Pioneers. That game will kickoff at 1 p.m. from Schneider Stadium.