'Unbelieveable feeling' as Carthage Bulldogs celebrate 10th state title 12
Surratt cements legacy as greatest high school coach in Texas history 16 BY THE NUMBERS
An inside look at the numbers of Carthage's remarkable 2024 season 18
Carthage's KJ Edwards named Offensive MVP after state win
Carthage defense propelled Bulldogs to win over La Vega 24
A look back at the 2024 football season
James Morrow (center) celebrates the Bulldogs' win against Waco La Vega for the 4A Division II state championship. Morrow was named to the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football all-state championship team.
(Michel Alfaro/Panola Watchman)
HANG 10
'UNBELIEVEABLE FEELING' AS CARTHAGE BULLDOGS CELEBRATE 10TH STATE TITLE
BY RYAN SILAPAN | RSILAPAN@PANOLAWATCHMAN.COM
Scott Surratt led the Carthage Bulldogs football team — the No. 1 ranked team in a 4A Division II — to a 10th state title game appearance during his tenure as head coach.
Just like the previous nine trips, Surratt’s Bulldogs showed once again who the top ‘Dawgs are.
Junior running back KJ Edwards rushed for a gamehigh 188 yards and two touchdowns as No. 1 Carthage defeated Waco La Vega 28-14 to capture the 4A Division II state title — the program’s 10th state title, all of which have come under Surratt.
With the win, Surratt surpassed former Brownwood Coach Gordon Wood with the most UIL state titles as a head coach with 10.
“You don’t get lucky 10 times,” Surratt said. “You have to have a great administration, and I have unbelievable coaches that work hard and are great people. I haven’t had a lot of turnover and the players — I’ve had great players and I don’t deny that. You still have to play the game.”
This was a rematch of the 2019 4A Division I state championship, which was also won by Carthage. Carthage (15-1), who defeated Brock 45-17 in the 4A-DII semifinals, played to their strengths — and when the situation suited itself, the Bulldogs aired it out to seal the victory.
Edwards broke a scoreless tie early in the second quarter with a 21-yard touchdown run and, after Waco La Vega tied the game 7-7 on a Kourtney Parr one-yard touchdown run, Edwards gave the Bulldogs a lead that would not be relinquished.
The junior made a cut, broke a tackle, made a spin move and busted loose for an 86-yard touchdown run that made it Carthage 14, Waco La Vega 7 with 3:40 left in the game.
“We knew we had to establish the running game,” Edwards said. “With the running game we established the passing game and our offensive line did a fantastic job up
front and I just found the holes.”
Waco La Vega (12-4), who defeated Wimberley 62-35 in the 4A-DII semifinals, hadn’t faced a defense quite like Carthage’s.
The Bulldogs set the 4A state title game record with a combined seven sacks, led by junior Carson Crawford who had 2 and 1/2, including nine tackles.
Junior DaQuives Beck was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the game with a team-high 10 tackles, along with a sack and 3 and 1/2 tackles for loss.
“Our defense controlled everything,” Surratt said. “They could fire it around with great receivers, but we put great pressure on the quarterback. We covered them well and didn’t allow them time to throw it deep. The d-line just played crazy good.”
Jett Surratt made his presence known in the fourth with a pair of touchdown passes, both going to Junior Henderson.
Jett connected with Henderson for a 24-yard touchdown pass with 6:24 remaining in the game to make it a 21-7 game and later delivered the dagger with a 19yard touchdown pass that made it 28-7 with 2:17 left in the game.
After having a cameo role in Carthage’s 2022 state title team, leading the Bulldogs to a 10th state title and helping his dad set the state’s all-time record means a lot to the younger Surratt.
“We knew we had a chance to be here and we proved that we’re here and the best in 4A-DII,” Jett said. “We have a ring to show for it. It’s awesome after falling short last year, and to be able to get back on this stage being the starter is awesome.”
After an opening season loss to Kilgore, Carthage finished the season by winning 15 games, including capturing an eighth-straight undefeated district title en route to a 10th state title.
Coach Surratt credited Waco La Vega for giving
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Carthage’s their closest game since their season-opener.
“We knew they were very good defensively, but we knew that we were a very good defense,” Surratt said. “We didn’t execute great some times, and that’s what great defenses do to you. They didn’t execute at all against our defense.”
Carthage held Waco La Vega to 208 yards of offense, including just 72 yards rushing on 39 carries.
Senior Bryson Roland rushed for 94 yards to lead the Pirates.
Senior Klayton Ingram had a sack and 1/2 sack, while Colt Hodges and Braylin Allison each added a sack each in the win for the Bulldogs.
“The defense set us up and Junior made the two big plays,” Coach Surratt said. “Offensive line protected great there, and I can’t be more proud of my guys in the program.”
Jett came a long way during the season after suffering a freakish ankle injury in pregame warm-ups against Kilgore.
The junior rehabbed like mad, never missed a game and is now a state champion-winning starting quarterback.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Jett, who threw for 112 yards in the game. “Start off the year in pregame messing up my ankle terribly — I felt like I broke it — the hours I put in, in rehab to get it back and wining the next 15-straight and averaging around 50 points a game.”
Jett witnessed his dad win eight state titles before he got called up to varsity during his freshman year, and he marvels at the success his dad has established during his 18 seasons as head coach.
Coach Surratt improved his overall coaching record 234-31 and an insane mark of 10 state titles and eight playoff losses.
“It shows how tough and consistent our program is,” Jett said of Coach Surratt. “We’re going to show up and play as hard as we can week in and week out.”
This season’s victory gives Carthage another state championship to match the Bulldog teams of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
The Carthage Bulldogs football poses for photos after defeating Waco La Vega 28-14 in the 4A Division II state title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. (Michel Alfaro/Panola Watchman)
Carthage defeated Waco La Vega 28-14 at the 4A Division II state championship football game on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. The Bulldogs claimed their 10th state championship, and Coach Scott Surratt is now the UIL’s winningest state championship winning coach with 10 state titles. (Michel Alfaro/Panola Watchman)
Carthage running back KJ Edwards breaks free for an 86-yard touchdown run against Waco La Vega in the 4A Division II state title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. (Michel Alfaro/Panola Watchman)
SURRATT CEMENTS LEGACY AS GREATEST HIGH SCHOOL COACH IN TEXAS HISTORY HISTORY MADE
BY RYAN SILAPAN | RSILAPAN@PANOLAWATCHMAN.COM
AT&T Stadium, Jerry World, home of the Dallas Cowboys, but when it comes to high school football, what you can really call it is Surratt Land.
Carthage Coach Scott Surratt has turned the house that Jerry Jones built into his home.
The veteran coach in 18 seasons has led Carthage to now 10 state titles after Carthage defeated Waco La Vega 28-14 in the 4A Division II state title game.
Surratt improved his personal unblemished state championship record to 10-0 in state title games following the game.
He has often spoken about how he has many close friends that are head coaches that never get the chance to coach in a state title game, and here he is now 10-0 on the biggest stage.
“You don’t get lucky 10 times,” Surratt said. “You have to have a great administration, and I have unbelievable coaches that work hard and are great people. I haven’t had a lot of turnover and the players — I’ve had great players and I don’t deny that. You still have to play the game.”
Surratt broke the tie he had with longtime Brownwood Coach Gordon Wood of nine state titles as a head coach.
Carthage played the game like they had something to prove, and have really done so since falling in their seasonopener to Kilgore.
With that loss — Carthage’s first home loss since 2016
— and with the loss to Gilmer in the previous postseason fresh on their mind, Carthage decided to take out their angst on whoever appeared next on their schedule.
The Bulldogs did just that in winning 15-straight games to close the season.
Surratt won his first state title in 2008 at SMU and the next year closed out the old Cowboy Stadium in Irving with state title No. 2 before coaching in his first game in Jerry World in 2010 — at which point the road to Jerry World becoming Surratt Land began.
Eight state championship games coached at Jerry World, and eight times Surratt has been holding up the big trophy.
“It shows how tough and consistent our program is,” Carthage quarterback and son Jett Surratt said. “We’re going to show up and play as hard as we can week in and week out.”
That’s what Surratt said in his postgame presser surrounded many members of his team: That when he took the job at Carthage he never promised district titles or state championships, but that his team would compete every week and play as hard as they possibly can.
That’s been the consistent theme with Surratt’s team not just this year but during his entire time as a head coach — his team flat out competes.
You factor in his ability to be an incredible delegator
who surrounds himself with amazing assistant coaches who implement their schemes all the way down to the junior high level, and you can see how Surratt has turned Carthage into one of the most formidable programs in the state regardless of school size.
Coach Surratt talked about how meaningful it was to capture state title No. 10 and do it while having his only son Jett as the starting quarterback.
“It’s special, I can tell you that,” Coach Surratt said. “It’s special, he’s my best friend and he’s a baller.”
Known for being an offensive guru, Coach Surratt recognizes what it ultimately takes to win a state championship. Surratt also mentioned his lifelong friendship with defensive coordinator Darren Preston, who keeps Carthage’s big red machine of a defense firing on all cylinders.
“We win championships with defense,” Surratt said. “Coach Darren Preston is my best friend for 56 years going now, and he’s just phenomenal.”
If anyone knows phenomenal, especially on the biggest stage, it’s Coach Surratt.
Surratt who improved his head coaching record to an insane 234-31 following the win over La Vega, still can say he’s won more state titles (10) than playoff losses (8) in his 18-year head coaching career.
He’s not done either as he’ll be back next season for year No. 19.
While Surratt didn’t promise state title No. 11, what is promised is his team will compete as hard as they possibly could.
Coach Surratt doesn’t need to say it; his results speak for themselves.
Coach Scott Surratt is interviewed after the Carthage Bulldogs won 28 to Waco La Vega’s 14 at the state championship football game on Friday, Dec. 20. (Addison Glaze/Panola Watchman)
AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS OF CARTHAGE'S
REMARKABLE 2024 SEASON BY THE NUMBERS
BY RYAN SILAPAN | RSILAPAN@PANOLAWATCHMAN.COM
As the Carthage Bulldogs football team enjoyed capturing their 10th state title, with all of them coming under Coach Scott Surratt, there was a path Carthage took in order to achieve their ultimate goal.
Here’s a closer look at 10 numbers to take away from the 2024 4A Division II state championship winning season.
The first number is 760, and that’s the amount of points Carthage scored this season — and that’s a season in which the Bulldogs scored 28 or more points in all of their games but one.
In 13 of Carthage’s 16 games, the Bulldogs scored 45 or more points — and that’s with Surratt often pulling his starters in the second half or just one half of play in total. This season Carthage’s offensive starters played in four fourth quarters this season, with three of them coming in the postseason.
The second number 176, and that’s the combined points allowed this season by Carthage.
Of the 176, only 72 were scored against Carthage’s starters, who were often pulled early in the third quarter.
Carthage had their defensive starters play in four fourth quarters this season, and three of them came in the postseason.
Third number is 21, and that’s the most points Carthage allowed this season— that came in a 59-21 victory over Center in which the Bulldogs went into the half leading 45-14.
This season Carthage recorded three shutouts and four games where the Bulldogs held their opponents to just one score.
Fourth number is 53, and that’s the number of touchdown passes thrown by quarterback Jett Surratt.
Surratt, who threw for 3,378 yards while completing 64% of his passes, threw touchdowns to 13 different receivers this year.
The junior’s longest touchdown pass was a 74-yarder to Bryston Price.
In two years as Carthage’s starting quarterback, Surratt has a combined record of 28-2, including a state championship victory under his belt.
Fifth number is 1,085, and that’s the amount of receiving yards for wide receiver Junior Henderson.
Henderson emerged as the top target for Surratt this season in leading the Bulldogs in catches (64), yards and touchdowns (18) this season.
Sixth number is 3,062, and that’s the number of combined rushing yards the Sonic and Knuckles duo of KJ Edwards and Benny Smith compiled this season.
Edwards rushed for 1,789 yards and 23 touchdowns while averaging 12.6 yards per carry and also had 30 catches 383 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith rushed for 1,273 yards and 19 touchdowns this season while proving to be the perfect Knuckles to Edwards’ Sonic.
Seventh number is three, and that’s the number of times Surratt was sacked this season in 367 pass attempts. The junior gave credit to his incredible offensive line led by the likes of future University of Arkansas lineman Kash Courtney, Brandon Allison and Colt Hodges in keeping him clean and able to pick defenses apart.
Eighth number is 15, and that’s the number of consecutive games won by Carthage to cap the 2024 season with a 4A Division II state title.
Of the 15, no game was closer than the state
The Carthage Bulldogs won 28 to Waco La Vega's 14 at the state championship football game on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. The Bulldogs claimed their 10th state championship, and Coach Scott Surratt is now the UIL’s winningest state championship winning coach with 10 state titles. (Carlee Permenter/Panola Watchman)
championship, and the outcome never in question as Waco La Vega scored their second touchdown on the final play of the game.
Ninth number is 203, and that’s the number of games above .500 Carthage Coach Scott Surratt is after wrapping up his 18th season as a head coach. The veteran ball coach is now a mindboggling 234-31 overall as a head coach, including an 81-8 record in the postseason.
Of Coach Surratt’s eight playoff losses, four of them have against a team that would go onto win the state championship.
The final number is 10, and it’s apropos as it’s the number of state titles Carthage has won and the amount Coach Surratt has led the Bulldogs, which has become the new UIL record for most state titles won by a head coach.
Coach Surratt improved his undefeated state championship record to 10-0 after the victory over Waco La Vega and also improved his all-time mark of more state titles won than playoff career loses with eight.
The 2024 season was a special one for Carthage and one that will truly be remembered for being special.
The numbers do not lie.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Carthage junior running back KJ Edwards earned MVP honors after the state game against Waco La Vega. (Michel Alfaro/Panola Watchman)
CARTHAGE'S KJ EDWARDS NAMED OFFENSIVE MVP AFTER STATE WIN
BY BRANDON OGDEN | BOGDEN@TYLERPAPER.COM
After a scoreless first quarter that included just 18 yards on two plays, Carthage knew it needed a spark early in the second quarter.
A 24-yard completion from Jett Surratt to Carson Crawford was followed by a 21-yard touchdown run from KJ Edwards to put the Bulldogs on the board for a 7-0 lead with 11 minutes left in the second quarter.
With 3:40 remaining in the first half and the score tied at 7, Carthage had the ball at its own 14-yard line. Edwards got the ball and went up the middle, was met at the 18-yard line by three defenders, spun through the attempted tackles, then broke another tackle at the 20 and was off to the races.
“I knew nobody could catch me out in space,” Edwards said. “They’ve got a very speedy defense, but I once I get out in space, ain’t nobody catching me.”
Those were the final two touchdowns for the Bulldogs until scoring passes of 24 and 19 yards from Jett Surratt to Junior Henderson in the final 6:24 of the fourth quarter on the way to a 28-14 victory over Waco La Vega in the Class 4A Division II championship game at AT&T Stadium — the Bulldogs’ 10th state title as a program.
“It means a lot,” Edwards said. “Last year, we didn’t quite get the job done, but we came in this year with a chip on our shoulder. This year, we proved we are back.”
Edwards finished the game with 188 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, and he caught a 5-yard pass. Edwards was named the game’s Offensive MVP.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my O-line,”
Edwards said. “They did a phenomenal job.”
“Once he gets to the second level, we know he’s going to make a play,” Carthage offensive lineman Kash Courtney said.
Edwards joined Mason Courtney (2020) and Keaontay Ingram (2016), who is currently in the NFL, as Carthage running backs to win Offensive MVP in the state championship game since 2010 when the state games were moved to one location for all classifications.
“Cheering for the Bulldogs when I was younger and now I’m actually playing for the Bulldogs, it means a lot,” Edwards said.
“We call him lightning, but he’s very physical,” Carthage Head Football Coach Scott Surratt said. He does a great job in the passing game. He’s our third down back for protection. He is durable, and he is just a great player.”
Edwards had 10 offensive touches in the state championship game as a freshman when Carthage took a 42-0 win over Wimberley. Edwards had nine carries for 32 yards to go along with a 14-yard reception in that game.
Now a junior, Edwards finished the 2024 season with 142 carries for 1,789 yards and 23 touchdowns, and he had 30 catches for 383 yards and three touchdowns.
Edwards is a four-star running back, ranked as the No. 33 recruit nationally and No. 3 running back in the Class of 2026 by the On3 Industry rankings. Rivals has Edwards slotted as the No. 1 running back in the country for the Class of 2026. Edwards holds several offers with the likes of Texas, SMU, Oregon, USC, Texas A&M, Georgia, Miami, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Stanford, Michigan and Ole Miss among them.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Carthage junior linebacker DaQuives Beck was named the 4A Division II Defensive Most Valuable Player after the Bulldogs defeated Waco La Vega 28-14 in the 4A Division II state title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
(Michel Alfaro/Panola Watchman)
CARTHAGE DEFENSE PROPELLED BULLDOGS TO WIN OVER LA VEGA
BY THOMAS BINGHAM | TBINGHAM@NEWS-JOURNAL.COM
Carthage found itself in a dogfight during the UIL 4A Division II state championship game at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, and leaned on its dominant defense to pull out a hard-fought 28-14 win and its 10th state crown since 2008.
The Bulldogs’ unit limited a Waco La Vega offense that averaged 40.3 points per game to only 14 points. That effort helped finalize the team’s 15-1 season record in 2024.
The Pirates, meanwhile, dropped their year mark to 12-4.
Carthage’s defense faced Waco La Vega’s offense 12 times during the game, and kept the opposition in check in all but two of those situations. The Bulldogs earned 59 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, seven sacks and one interception, and only gave up 136 passing yards, 72 rushing yards and two touchdowns by game’s end.
“We win championships with defense,” Carthage Head Football Coach Scott Surratt said after his program’s outing. “[Defensive coordinator] Darren Preston’s the best. We dominated the game.”
Middle linebacker DaQuives Beck stepped up as one of the game’s biggest forces with 10 tackles, seven solo tackles, three and a half tackles for loss, one quarterback hurry, and one sack.
He joined a long list of Carthage UIL state championship game defensive MVPs that also includes Kendall Thompson (2010), Mario McCain (2013), Austin Russell (2016), Mykel Gates (2017), Cole Whitlock (2019), Brandon King (2020) and Jakerrian Roquemore (2022).
“We had to stay disciplined,” Beck said of Carthage’s extended defensive success against Waco La Vega. “We knew that we had to execute our plays and go hard. We had to keep smashing and never let up.”
Carthage set the tone early when it stopped Waco La Vega on fourth down during the Pirates’ first possession.
The Bulldogs then forced three straight Waco La Vega punts by the 8:40 mark of the second quarter. Their team also benefited from an early second quarter offensive scoring drive to take an early 7-0 lead.
The Carthage defense took a temporary step back during Waco La Vega’s following six-play, 60-yard scoring drive because Kourtney Parr produced a one-yard touchdown run and Giovanni Esqueda-Almanza kicked a successful extra point attempt at the 4:05 mark of the second quarter to tie Carthage 7-7 on the scoreboard.
But, the Bulldogs returned to form when Jaydon Lewis stepped in front of Parr’s pass to end Waco La Vega’s next possession with 1:55 remaining in the first half.
It was more of the same in the early part of the second half because the Carthage defense forced a Waco La Vega punt and fourth down stop in both the third and fourth quarters. That included Crawford’s significant eight-yard sack against Parr on third-and-15 at the 2:43 mark of the third period.
Crawford eventually finished with nine tackles, seven solo tackles, four tackles for loss, and two and a half sacks.
“It’s incredible,” Crawford said of Carthage’s defensive performance on Friday. “We knew we had a shot if we could get to [Parr]. Braylin [Allison also] broke up some big double teams [so] I could get back there.”
Allison contributed seven tackles, three tackles for loss, three solo tackles and one sack in the outing, while Leo Brown recorded seven tackles, four solo tackles and one pass breakup.
Carthage’s defensive performance was ultimately the difference in the outing, but Waco La Vega still squeezed out a late eight-play, 79-yard touchdown drive during the game’s final 2 minutes and 11 seconds to cut the gap to 28-14 with no time remaining.
HOW WE GOT HERE
A LOOK BACK AT THE 2024 FOOTBALL SEASON
Carthage football players celebrate their state semi-final win.
(Michel Alfaro/Panola Watchman)
Carthage’s defense gang tackles Chapel Hill running back Rickey Stewart for a loss in a marquee non-district football game in New Chapel Hill (Carlee Permenter/Panola Watchman)
This season’s victory gives Carthage another state championship to match the Bulldog teams of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
CARTHAGE 15, KILGORE 20
The last time the Carthage High football team lost at Bulldog Stadium, all the players on the team were children. Since 2016, Carthage had run roughshod over their competition that journeyed down to Panola County.
During their game of the season, facing Kilgore — the No. 5 ranked team in 4A Division I — Carthage knew they would be in — no pun intended — a dog fight.
When Isaiad Watters broke the plane and complete a one-yard touchdown run with 2:51 remaining, the super stout Kilgore defense came up with a stop of stops as Carthage saw their eight-year run of home dominance end with a 20-15 loss to Kilgore in both teams’ season-opener.
Kilgore, who came into the game with one of the best defenses in all of 4A, forced five turnovers including intercepting Carthage star quarterback Jett Surratt four times.
Carthage, who came into the season ranked once again as the No. 1 ranked team in 4A Division II, were led by Edwards, who rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Surratt — who played despite spraining his ankle during pregame warm-ups — clearly wasn’t himself, and combined with Kilgore’s tremendous defense, it spelled a long night for him and the host Bulldogs.
Surratt threw for just 50 yards and a touchdown while completing just 10 of his 27 attempts, including a careerhigh four interceptions.
CARTHAGE 58, LIBERTY-EYLAU 20
To say the Carthage Bulldogs football team couldn’t
wait to get back onto the field was an understatement.
After an opening season loss followed by a bye week, the Bulldogs were chomping at the bit to get back on the field and show whey they are the No. 1 ranked team in 4A Division II.
The Bulldogs did just that as Jett Surratt threw for three touchdowns and KJ Edwards ran for three touchdowns as Carthage blasted past 3A No. 9 ranked Liberty-Eylau 58-20 in Texarkana.
Surratt was a big question mark coming into the game after suffering a severly sprained ankle during warm-ups prior to the Kilgore game — but he looked as healthy as he ever was against Liberty-Eylau.
Surratt connected on his first seven pass attempts before finishing 13-of-18 for 173 yards and three touchdowns in less than three quarters of work.
Edwards didn’t get many carries, but each time he did he put on a show and was virtually a human joystick in finishing with 180 yards and three touchdowns on just six carries.
The junior had touchdown runs of 47, 65 and 50 yards in a little over two quarters of play.
Carthage is known to start fast and after a nice defensive stand to open the game, the Bulldogs took off like gangbusters.
“We came out and dominated from the very beginning,” Carthage senior wide receiver Blake Marion said. “It felt like forever since we last played we were ready to come out here and show that we can play. We weren’t going to struggle all year long.”
CARTHAGE 45, CHAPEL HILL 14
The Carthage High football team — the No. 1 ranked team in 4A Division II — left host Chapel Hill — the No. 2 | CONT. ON PG. 26
ranked team in 4A Division I — shell shocked.
Junior Jett Surratt threw for a season-high 285 yards and a season high five touchdowns with just one interception and Carthage’s defense held Chapel Hill without a first down until late in the third quarter in a 45-14 victory.
Surratt completed 20 of his 27 pass attempts and hit seven different receivers.
Chapel Hill got on the board first when Trevor Brooks intercepted Surratt on the second play of the game and raced 58 yards for a touchdown on the games second play of the game.
That pick only fired up not just Surratt but the entire Carthage team.
Carthage held Chapel Hill to only six yards of offense in the first quarter and nine combined in the first half.
CARTHAGE 58, JASPER 14
Junior Jett Surratt threw for 227 yards and four touchdowns and KJ Edwards rushed for 179 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries as Carthage demolished visiting Jasper 58-14 on Homecoming night.
Both Jett and Edwards sat out the entire second half after Carthage took a 44-0 lead into halftime.
Surratt connected on 14 of his 20 pass attempts without an interception and connected with four different receivers for scores.
Junior Henderson had a game-high 90 yards receiving on four receptions, including a 59-yard touchdown reception; Bryston Price had a 74-yard touchdown reception; Blake Marion had three catches for 27 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown reception; and Jaden Jeffress had a one-yard touchdown run in the win.
Carthage turned the ball over on their first offensive possession of the game, but the defense picked up the offense.
The defense dominated the line of scrimmage and gave Jasper quarterback Isaiah Coleman fits.
Carthage held Jasper to just 57 yards of total offense in the first half, including just 16 yards rushing on a combined 13 carries.
CARTHAGE 56, SAN BENITO 0
The Carthage Bulldogs finished their pre-district portion of their 2024 season with a lopsided victory over the San Benito Greyhounds, 56-0.
Both Carthage and San Benito had to travel approximately 270 miles to play this neutral site game in Bay City, which is halfway between Galveston and Corpus Christi on the coast of Texas.
Carthage came into the game with a 4-1 record compared to San Benito, who is a 6A team, being 0-5 on the season.
The Bulldogs took control of the game from the start by receiving the opening kickoff and only took four plays to find the endzone on a 44-yard run by running back K.J. Edwards, with a Leo Medrano extra point to take a 7-0 lead.
The Bulldogs defense was stingy on the night, only allowing two first downs in the game, one in the second quarter and one in the fourth quarter for San Benito. The Greyhound only managed 12 yards rushing and 19 yards passing against the Bulldogs.
CARTHAGE 59, CENTER 21
Junior running back Benny Smith had a career night.
Smith rushed for a career high 129 yards and four touchdowns on 14 carries as the Carthage Bulldogs football team — the No. 1 ranked team in 4A Division II — opened District 8 4A-DII play with a 59-21 victory over previously undefeated Center at Bulldog Stadium.
Smith got the bulk of his yardage in the first half, including a 36-yard rushing touchdown, while adding touchdown
| CONT. FROM PG. 25
Carthage linebacker Carson Crawford fights through a block attempt against San Benito in a non-district game earlier this season. (Ali Moton/Panola Watchman)
runs of four and eight yards in the third.
With Carthage monitoring starting running back KJ Edwards’ touches, Smith was counted on more — and the junior delivered.
It wasn’t just on the ground that the Bulldogs pulverized the Roughriders as junior quarterback Jett Surratt aired it out and did so with plenty of efficiency to the tune of 262 yards and three touchdowns while completing 19 of his 24 pass attempts .
Junior Henderson had a team-high 81 yards receiving on five catches with a pair of touchdowns; Jaden Jeffress had four catches for 68 yards, including a touchdown; and Edwards finished with 10 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown along with two catches for 31 yards.
CARTHAGE 49, ATHENS 7
In a match featuring the last two remaining unbeaten teams in District 8 4A Division II, the Carthage Bulldogs football team — the No. 1 ranked team in 4A D-II — made it clear who the top dogs of the district are.
Carthage dominated in each facet, to the point that Coach Scott Surratt pulled both his offensive and defensive starters after just one series each in the second half.
Carthage took control from the opening whistle and never looked back in defeating host Athens 49-7 in a marquee District 8 4A-DII game.
The Bulldogs defense gave the Hornets serious fits, to the tune of holding Athens to -8 yards of total offense in the first half.
When Surratt pulled his defensive starters, Athens was still at -8 yards.
Offensively, Carthage was as sharp as ever led by junior quarterback Jett Surratt, who threw for 232 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions while completing 19 of his 27 pass attempts.
The junior connected with nine different receivers in the game.
Senior Blake Marion led Carthage with 53 yards receiving, including a 24-yard touchdown reception; Cale Preston had three catches for 50 yards; Junior Henderson three catches for 26 yards, including a touchdown; and Carson Crawford had two catches for 23 yards, including his first touchdown of the season on a 3-yard reception.
Junior running back KJ Edwards rushed for 66 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns along with two catches for 29 yards in just on half of play while Benny Smith rushed for 65 yards on nine carries, including a touchdown.
CARTHAGE 55, BULLARD, 0
Junior running back KJ Edwards ran for a game-high 167 yards and three touchdowns on just eight carries and had an 11-yard touchdown reception as No. 1 ranked Carthage shutout visiting Bullard 55-0 at Bulldog Stadium.
The junior had touchdown runs of 20, 13 and 58 yards on his eighth and final carry in the game. In the first half, Edwards caught a swing pass and raced 11 yards to the end zone and had a circus 22-yard reception.
The highly touted back is known for his breakaway speed — tonight he showed he could catch the ball and protect Jett Surratt in pass protection.
“I told him before the game to be an all-around back,” Coach Surratt said of Edwards. “Catching the ball, running the ball, protecting and that’s what he is and you saw how healthy he is. He hasn’t been healthy in three weeks and he was healthy tonight.”
Carthage gave the banged-up Bullard offense fits all game.
The Bulldogs held the Panthers to just nine yards of total offense as Carthage took a 28-0 lead going into the half.
CARTHAGE 49, RUSK 7
Junior quarterback Jett Surratt threw for 233 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions on 21-of-30 passing as Carthage dominated Rusk 49-7 at Eagle Stadium.
It started raining midway through the second quarter, and it didn’t bother Jett one bit in throwing for 194 of his 233 yards in the first half to go along with four touchdowns.
The junior connected with six different receivers in his two quarters, plus two drives in the third quarter performance.
Junior Cade Ross led Carthage with 92 yards receiving on five catches, including an 11-yard touchdown reception; Junior Henderson had four catches for 76 yards, including a 39-yard reception; and senior Cale Preston had three catches for 22 yards, including a pair of touchdowns.
CARTHAGE 57, BROWNSBORO 8
For the last eight years Scott Surratt and the Carthage Bulldogs football team has run roughshod over their district opponents, not dropping a single game against a district opponent.
With the District 8 4A Division II title already secured, there was one thing left for Carthage to accomplish against visiting Brownsboro in both teams’ regular season finale: an eighth-straight undefeated district championship.
Carthage — the No. 1 ranked team in 4A D-II — made this one quick and sent their seniors out victorious on Senior Night.
Jett Surratt threw five touchdown passes and the defense allowed just four yards of total offense as Carthage blew out Brownsboro 57-8 on Thursday night at Bulldog Stadium.
CARTHAGE 49, SPRING HILL 0
The Carthage Bulldogs football team — the No. 1 ranked team in 4A Division II — rolled into the postseason just like how the regular season has been going — dominantly.
Junior quarterback Jett Surratt threw for 257 yards and four touchdowns, Benny Smith rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries and the defense pitched a shutout as Carthage smashed Spring Hill 49-0 in a 4A D-II bi-district playoff game in Longview.
“We started off hot,” Surratt said. “We came out and scored within five or six plays, so it’s always good to start off hot. We had a few mistakes in the middle of it but we bounced right back from it.
“Our defense was unbelievable tonight — they had a shutout in a playoff game, which is incredible.”
CARTHAGE 56, KRUM 13
KJ Edwards made his return, and the Carthage star running back wasn’t just back — he was an attraction.
Edwards rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns on just six carries and finished with 214 yards of offense on seven touches as No. 1 Carthage blew past Krum 56-13 in a 4A Division II area playoff game at Coach Kenny Deel Stadium in Melissa.
Edwards — who missed the last two games with a groin injury — scored touchdowns on his first two rushes of the game — a 7-yard and 2-yard score — with the latter coming after a 64-yard reception.
CARTHAGE 28, PLEASANT GROVE 7
Carthage’s defense was as stout as ever and Benny Smith rushed for 103 yards on 13 carries, including all three of his rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, as No. 1 ranked Carthage ended Pleasant Grove’s season for | CONT. ON PG. 28
a third-straight year with a 28-7 victory in a 4A-DII regional semifinal game at Lobo Stadium in Longview.
Carthage without a score until the 2:10 mark of the game when backup quarterback Walker Wright scored on a 4-yard touchdown run.
Until that point, Carthage’s defense made life miserable for the Hawks’ offense.
CARTHAGE 53, VAN 14
On the second play of the game, Carthage Bulldogs quarterback Jett Surratt connected with cousin Cale Preston for a 62-yard touchdown pass.
That play set the trend as it was all Bulldogs from the very beginning.
Surratt threw for 195 yards and a career high six touchdown passes to six different receivers in just one half of play as No. 1 Carthage destroyed Van 53-14 in a 4A Division II Region II finals on a chilly Friday night at Pine Tree High School in Longview.
Carthage came out looking to make a statement and make it in a hurry.
After Jett’s touchdown pass to Preston, the defense forced a Van 3-and-out when, on Carthage’s next offensive play, junior running back KJ Edwards got the handoff, found a hole and raced 75 yards down the far sidelines for a touchdown.
The Bulldogs again forced a Van 3-and-out, but scored again on a five-play 57-yard yard drive that was capped by a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jett to Jaden Jeffress that made it 21-0 with 5:30 left in the opening quarter.
CARTHAGE 45, BROCK 17
From forcing turnovers on defense, to Jett Surratt throwing multiple touchdowns to multiple running backs scoring touchdowns, the Bulldogs put it all on display.
The Bulldogs punched their ticket to the program’s 10th state title game under Coach Scott Surratt as Carthage defeated Brock 45-17 on a rainy and windy Friday night in McKinney.
Surratt threw for just 89 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but with the rain and weather, Carthage didn’t need him to throw the ball. Instead, the running game took over.
KJ Edwards — who played just one half and was held out in the second half for precautionary reasons — rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
In the second half, Benny Smith took over the reins at running back and didn’t disappoint, rushing for 119 of his 141 yards on 17 carries, including a 29-yard and a 46yard touchdown that came in the fourth quarter to ice the game.
Carthage linebacker Klayton Ingram tackles Brock’s Coty Farmer in a 4A Division II semifinal game in McKinney on wet and rainy Friday night. (Michel Alfaro/Panola Watchman)
Carthage’s DaQuives Beck celebrates after making a defensive stop against Jasper in a non-district football game at Bulldog Stadium. (Ali Moton/Panola Watchman)
Carthage wide receiver Cale Preston hauls in a 26-yard reception against Brownsboro in both teams’ District 8 4A Division II finale at Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Bears 57-8 for an eighth-straight undefeated district championship. (Addison Glaze/Panola Watchman).
