WAUKESHA, Wis. - After a one-year hiatus, "The Old Musket" is headed back to Waukesha. Carroll's football team defeated in-state rival Carthage 27-7 Saturday afternoon in the 44th "Battle For The Old Musket", in which the winning team receives a Civil War musket, originally designed by fraternities from both campuses in 1964.

The result was never really in doubt, as the Pioneers (5-5, 4-5 CCIW) never trailed on the day, which also served as the team's annual Senior Day celebration. Carroll also out-gained Carthage (2-8, 2-7 CCIW) in total yardage, 367-284, which included 213 rushing yards for the Pios. Defensively, Carroll recorded a season-best three interceptions, which nearly doubled their total from the previous nine games.

Carroll set the tone for the game on the opening drive, marching 70 yards in 11 plays while eating up seven minutes of the clock, culminating in a two-yard touchdown plunge by Reed Breckheimer. Matthew Swink added a 45-yard field goal in the second quarter to extend that lead, before Santiago Rios caught a 25-yard TD pass from Charlie King just before halftime, giving the Pioneers a 17-0 advantage at intermission.

Carthage finally got on the board on the opening drive of the second half, as they used an 11-play, 75-yard drive, which was capped by a one-yard touchdown dive by Bryce Frank. Swink added a 32-yard field goal later in the quarter, before Carroll put the game away in the final minutes on a 54-yard TD run by Senior Jaxon Case on what was his final carry in a Pioneer uniform.

Marcus Johnson led Carroll with 105 yards on 14 carries (7.5 ypc). Breckheimer added 41 yards on nine carries (4.6 ypc), while also recording team-highs of five catches for 42 yards, and completing an 18-yard pass to fellow Tight End Trevor Hancock. The Pioneers were very active defensively, recording 11 quarterback hurries, five sacks (two by Jordan Pfeiffer, and one apiece from Steven Lazaris, Riley Stobb, and Luke Brosig), and three interceptions (Drake Emanuel, Jahkai Bohannon, and Elliot Mueller).

Carthage was led by Frank's 66 yards on 15 carries (4.4 ypc). Frank also served as the Firebirds leading receiver, recording game-highs of 10 receptions for 58 yards.