The Carthage Bulldogs claimed their record 10th state championship with a 28-14 win over the La Vega Pirates in the 4A Division II State Title Game at AT&T Stadium. The Bulldogs, led by head coach Scott Surratt, overcame a resilient La Vega team to cement their legacy in Texas high school football history.
A Defensive Battle in the First Half
Carthage started the game with the ball but faced early struggles, turning the ball over on downs twice in the first quarter. La Vega’s defense, led by Warren Richardson, kept Carthage in check and forced a punt after a big sack. However, La Vega’s offense was also unable to capitalize, punting after a failed fourth-down attempt on their opening possession.
The Bulldogs’ offense found its rhythm in the second quarter. KJ Edwards broke the stalemate with a 21-yard touchdown run, capping a quick three-play, 46-yard drive to give Carthage a 7-0 lead.
Top of the 2nd and the Bulldogs on the board first @KJEdwards2026 with a 21-yard Touchdown!
Score:@lvpirates – 0@carthagedawgs – 7#TXHSFB #UILstate pic.twitter.com/HJ9Cwuj0hd— Taylor Arenz (@taylorarenz) December 20, 2024
La Vega responded with a determined drive, featuring key plays from quarterback Kourtney Parr and running back Bryson Roland. Parr’s 2-yard touchdown run tied the game at 7-7.
QB Keeper for the Pirates!
TOUCHDOWN @KjParr12
Score:@lvpirates – 7@carthagedawgs – 7#TXHSFB #UILstate
4:01 left in half! pic.twitter.com/16NJpuu9JX— Taylor Arenz (@taylorarenz) December 20, 2024
On the ensuing drive, Edwards exploded for an 86-yard touchdown run, giving Carthage a 14-7 lead with 3:40 remaining in the half. La Vega attempted to mount a response before halftime, aided by a 15-yard face mask penalty, but Jaydon Lewis intercepted a deep pass to end the Pirates’ threat. Carthage maintained their 14-7 advantage heading into the locker room.
The @KJEdwards2026 doing what he does..
86-yard TOUCHDOWN!
Score:@lvpirates – 7@carthagedawgs – 14#TXHSFB #UILstate pic.twitter.com/nN3A2XPPbR— Taylor Arenz (@taylorarenz) December 20, 2024
Second-Half Dominance by Carthage
The third quarter was a defensive stalemate, with neither team able to score. The Carthage defensive line, anchored by Colt Hodges and Qui Beck, consistently pressured La Vega’s backfield, forcing punts and preventing the Pirates from gaining momentum.
In the fourth quarter, Carthage began to pull away. KJ Edwards led the Bulldogs down the field with powerful runs, and quarterback Jett Surratt connected with Junior Henderson on a 24-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 21-7 with 6:24 remaining. The Carthage defense then forced La Vega into a 4th-and-22 situation, which they could not convert.
Carthage capitalized on the defensive stop, methodically moving the ball and running the clock. Surratt found Henderson again, this time for a 19-yard touchdown pass, pushing the Bulldogs’ lead to 28-7 with just over two minutes to play.
Late Push by La Vega Falls Short
La Vega made one final push in the game’s closing moments. Quarterback Jayven Hernandez, who replaced Parr late in the game, connected on a 46-yard pass to MarQwae Willis to reach the Carthage 21-yard line. A short pass brought them to the 5-yard line with seven seconds remaining, and Hernandez ran it in for a touchdown on the final play to narrow the score to 28-14.
Despite La Vega’s late effort, Carthage’s defense controlled the game, forcing multiple turnovers on downs and limiting La Vega’s big-play opportunities. Edwards, with two rushing touchdowns, and Surratt, with two touchdown passes to Henderson, led the way for the Bulldogs.
A Milestone Victory for Scott Surratt and Carthage
With the win, Scott Surratt became the first Texas high school football coach to win 10 state championships, solidifying his place among the greats in Texas football history. The Bulldogs’ performance showcased their balance, with contributions from both their explosive offense and stifling defense.
Carthage finished the season 15-1, further cementing their reputation as one of the most dominant programs in the state. For La Vega, the Pirates put up a valiant effort but couldn’t match the Bulldogs’ depth and execution. Their season ended at 12-4, with plenty to be proud of as they returned to the state title game for the first time since 2019.
This historic win underscores Carthage’s dynasty and marks another chapter in their storied legacy.
Offensive MVP: KJ Edwards
Defensive MVP: Daquives Beck
Photos by Stan Martin
