If the 4A Division II State Title Game looks familiar, there’s a reason. Carthage and La Vega met in the 4A Division I title game back in 2019 with the Bulldogs coming out 42-28 winners.
This is La Vega’s first time back in the state championship since that day, while Carthage has won two more titles since then.
The Bulldogs will be the favorites to bring home state title number ten, but La Vega’s offense will likely have a say before Friday morning is over.
Here’s what to watch for on Friday at 11:00 a.m.
Carthage Bulldogs (14-1)
Head Coach: Scott Surratt (18th season; 232-31 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 176 miles
2024 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 49-0 vs. Spring Hill
Area: W 56-13 vs. Krum
Regional Semifinals: W 28-7 vs. Pleasant Grove
Regional Final: W 53-14 vs. Van
State Semifinals: W 45-17 vs. Brock
Key Players and Storylines
Death. Taxes. And Scott Surratt winning state title games. During his prior 17 seasons at Carthage, he has taken the Bulldogs to nine state title games. They have won all nine.
This group looks like it has what it takes to bring home number ten. It has been dominant in the playoffs with every win by three possessions or more.
It starts with a defense that has given up just over 10 points per game this year. The Bulldogs are loaded in the front seven. Four star linebacker Qui Beck had a scoop n’ score last week. He’s joined by three star linebacker Klayton Ingram and three-star defensive lineman Colt Hodges in the front seven. With so much firepower for opposing offensive lines to try and handle, it’s easy to see why teams struggle to move the football.
TD Carthage
Qui Beck recovers the fumble and takes it the distance. It’s 7-0 Carthage over Brock with 6:41 in the 1st Q@QuiBeck_8 | @carthagedawgs | @coach_horsley | @TA_Recruiting #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/918Zh3syPP
— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) December 14, 2024
Offensively, Carthage has just as much next level talent. In the backfield, they boast four-star running back KJ Edwards and four-star quarterback Jett Surratt. The Bulldogs can also rotate Benny Smith in at running back. He had 141 yards and two touchdowns last week.
Paving the way for this backfield is an offensive line led by Arkansas commit Kash Courtney.
There’s no shortage of options in the passing attack either. Cade Ross has proven to be a reliable tight end, while Keymian Henderson Jr. has the speed to take the top off of any defense.
La Vega Pirates (12-3)
Head Coach: Don Hyde (7th season; 70-25 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 97 miles
2024 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 56-2 vs. La Grange
Area: W 42-20 vs. West Orange-Stark
Regional Semifinals: W 49-21 vs. Silsbee
Regional Final: W 48-30 vs. Sealy
State Semifinals: W 62-35 vs. Wimberley
Key Players and Storylines
La Vega’s offense has been on a mission in recent weeks. Against Wimberley in the state semifinals, the Pirates racked up 517 yards of total offense.
If La Vega is to move the ball consistently against Carthage, both running back Bryson Roland and receiver Jabarie Thornton have to make things happen with the ball in their hands.
Ashton Jeanty Jr. (aka @bryson253) goes for 250+ on the ground and three long TD’s of 42, 54, and 67 yards! @lvpirates take down Sealy 48-30 and move on to the 4A DII State Semifinals. #Txhsfbplayoffs pic.twitter.com/AMYhxi3DT2
— Chad Vautherine (@chadvautherine) December 7, 2024
Roland eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark on the season against Wimberley and has accounted for 30 touchdowns for the Pirates on the ground this season. Thornton, meanwhile, is quarterback Kourtney Parr‘s favorite target and it’s not even close. He has 75 receptions for 1,350 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. The next closest player is Roland with 28 catches for 374 yards.
Up front, it will help that the Pirates have a next-level talent in Houston commit offensive lineman Eythan Thompson as they try to contain Carthage’s front seven.
Defensively, linebackers Caden Roland and Bydrick Scott will need to come ready to slow down Carthage’s rushing attack. They’re La Vega’s two leading tacklers this season.
If the Pirates need to get pressure on Surratt in the pocket, Warren Richardson will likely be their man to get it. He hs 18 tackles for loss on the season.
Final Thoughts
Carthage will be a different beast than any of the teams La Vega has faced in the playoffs so far. The biggest separator between the two teams appears to be Carthage’s defense compared to La Vega’s defense. The Pirates have allowed 86 points the last three weeks. Carthage has given up just 38.
The Pirates will believe the big play threat of guys like Roland and Thornton will give themselves a chance on this one. However, whether they can trade blows with Carthage for the full 48 minutes will be found out on Friday morning.
