The Carthage train keeps on rolling.
The Bulldogs will be looking for their ninth state title in just 15 seasons when they take on Wimberley on Friday morning at 11:00 at AT&T Stadium in the 4A Division II State Title Game.
Wimberley, meanwhile, is back in the state title game for the first time since 2019. The Texans will be going in search of their third state title and their first since 2011.
Here’s what to watch on Friday morning.
Carthage Bulldogs (15-0)
Head Coach: Scott Surratt (16th season; 204-29)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 176 miles
2022 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 42-7 vs. Pittsburg
Area: W 61-30 vs. Van Alstyne
Regional Semifinals: W 28-7 vs. Gilmer
Regional Final: W 45-14 vs. Texarkana Pleasant Grove
State Semifinals: W 42-35 vs. Glen Rose
Key Players and Storylines
No one had been within three scores of Carthage all season until Glen Rose last week.
In the state semifinals, the Tigers almost scored the ultimate upset until a late fumble allowed the Bulldogs to score with just eight seconds left to earn a 42-35 victory.
Running back LaRandion Dowden scored the game-winning touchdown last week, but the main offensive catalyst for Carthage this year has been quarterback Connor Cuff.
In just the five playoff games, he’s thrown for 1,201 yards and 13 touchdowns.
He has a variety of weapons to aim for as well. Javarian Roquemore had six catches for 193 yards and two touchdown a week ago, while Noah Paddie has 396 receiving yards and five touchdowns in Carthage’s five playoff games.
And if those two aren’t enough for Wimberley to handle, the Bulldogs also boast Oregon State commit receiver Montrel Hatten, who is now a three-year starter for Carthage
Carthage head coach Scott Surratt said that with such a talented group of receivers, the Bulldogs won’t be afraid to air the ball out on Friday morning.
“We have five or six guys that can score from anywhere on the field at anytime,” Surratt said. “It’s a huge part of our offense to get big plays in the passing game. We will get some one-on-ones Friday and it will be huge to win our share of those 50-50 balls.”
While Carthage is letting those downfield passing routes develop, look for tackle Keystone Allison, who has 13 Division I offers to anchor the Bulldogs’ offensive line.
On the other side of the ball, Carthage is just giving up 12 points per game.
Defensive back Ked Harper is among the players to watch on that side of the ball as he has five interceptions on the year.
In the front seven, linebackers Deiontae Marry and sophomore Klayton Ingram will be need to make tackles in the open field on Friday, especially when Wimberley quarterback Cody Stoever gets outside the pocket.
Wimberley Texans (15-0)
Head Coach: Doug Warren (10th season; 93-42)
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 238 miles
2022 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 81-0 vs. San Antonio YMLA
Area: W 48-0 vs. Orange Grove
Regional Semifinals: W 64-6 vs. Jarrell
Regional Final: W 49-30 vs. Lago Vista
State Semifinals: W 42-36 vs. Cuero
Key Players and Storylines
Down 30-18 to Cuero in the state semifinal, Wimberley went on a 24-0 run to secure a nail-biting 42-36 victory.
The Texans will need that fight again on Friday against a Carthage dynasty that hasn’t been slowed down by many teams the past 15 years.
Leading the way for Wimberley will be sophomore Cody Stoever.
Stoever has been a thorn in defenses’ sides all season long, throwing for 2,330 yards and 31 touchdowns while adding 1,157 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground.
Wimberley head coach Doug Warren said that in addition to the talent he is surrounded by on offense, Stoever has played well above his age.
“Cody is an outstanding young man and a great teammate. He has come in and taken over the team at quarterback and has executed our offense at a high level,” Warren said. “He is very mature for a young kid and an excellent leader, so it is no surprise that he is putting up big numbers.”
Alongside him in the backfield is senior running back Johnny Ball. Ball played a key role against Cuero in the state semifinals as he rushed for 193 yards, including the go-ahead 64-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Wimberley’s offense is anchored on its run game, but in its passing attack, look for Noah Birdsong (616 yards and six touchdowns) and Tru Couch (403 yards and six touchdowns) to be Stoever’s main targets.
On the Texans’ defense, linebacker Troy Heugly has made his presence felt in plenty of opponents’ backfields with 16 tackles for loss on the season.
Brasen Leonard (64 total tackles and Jack Riser (83 total tackles) will need to slow down the Carthage run game, while safety Lane Patek should have a busy day patrolling the middle of the field against Carthage’s explosive passing attack.
Final Thoughts
Carthage has destroyed opponents all year long with its explosive offense that has a knack for big plays with Connor Cuff at the helm.
However, Wimberley showed it won’t be fazed by any big plays by Carthage after its gutsy victory over Cuero last week.
If Wimberley is to have a chance in this one, the Texans will need to make sure they don’t beat themselves as Glen Rose did with a late game fumble.
Carthage isn’t used to playing in close games, so if the Texans can hang around, they might give themselves a chance to steal one down the stretch with Stoever’s playmaking ability.
CLICK HERE to listen to the Texas HS Football Podcast, with Taylor Arenz
