Carthage (14-2) returned to prominence and the pinnacle of any football season as they captured their fifth title since 2008 by defeating Abilene Wylie (12-2) 31-17 at AT&T Stadium on Friday to become the 2016 4A Division I State Champions.
In a game that saw the tale of the tape drastically change from Abilene Wylie’s quick 14-0 start to Carthage’s defense dominating and taking over the second half, Carthage won this game with an all-around effort from every facet of the game.
It would take Carthage up until the tail end of the first quarter before they finally got on the scoreboard after orchestrating a 10-play 63 yard drive that ended in a Dewaylon Ingram 25-yard touchdown reception from Kason Davis.
“We’ve been down probably 10 games out 16, there’s no panic in these guys…we knew we had a long game and maybe had a little nerves early but we worked those out and played very well after that,” said Carthage head coach Scott Surrat, in regards to his team facing the early 14-0 deficit.
Keaontay Ingram netted his first of two touchdowns on the evening in the second quarter, tying the game up at 14. It was also the turning point of the game, and the beginning of Carthage’s dominance.
Carthage took their first lead at 17-14 after compiling a methodical drive that went for 17 plays and 68 yards that took off 6:58 from the game clock resulting in a 26-yard field goal. With the lead and a chance at capturing their fifth title, the Carthage defense would force five turnovers and pitch a shutout in the second half. Carthage would finish the game with six forced turnovers.
Kason Davis and Keaontay Ingram would account for the subsequent touchdowns that put Carthage at the 35-point mark.
Even though Coach Surrat knew his program has reached phenomenal heights, he was in slight shock as he reflected on how this win places his program as one of the best in Texas.
“Five championships in a program, I can only dream of one and we got five and it’s just great coaches and great players. It’s hard work. We talked about it from day one and I know everybody says that but we went 0-2 in district and now we are state champions. That’s unbelievable!”
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