Carthage Bulldogs
Head Coach: Scott Surratt (19th season; 233-31 record)
Last Season: 15-1; 5-0 in district (Defeated Waco La Vega in 4A Division II Title Game)
Carthage Key Players and Storylines
Carthage is now a perfect 10-0 in state championships under Scott Surratt. The Bulldogs took down Waco La Vega in last year’s 4A Division II state title game.
They’re not going anywhere either. Quarterback Jett Surratt (3,380 passing yards and 53 touchdowns) and Texas A&M commit running back KJ Edwards (1,789 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns) are a nightmare duo for opposing defenses. Arkansas commit receiver Junior Hernandez (1,085 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns) gives Surratt a good target to aim for at 6’3″. He averaged nearly 17 yards per reception in 2024.
Jett Surratt to Junior Henderson, again, and Carthage leads La Vega 28-7 with 2:17 left in the game #TXHSFB #UILState @usatodayhss pic.twitter.com/PPpi0u83LF
— Randall Sweet (@RandallSweet5) December 20, 2024
Up front, tight ends Cade Ross and Jayden Jeffress and offensive linemen Tyler Ortigo and Jeremiah Jones were all first team all-district selections last year.
Defensively, Carthage is always stout. This year, it’ll start with a linebacking corps led by Texas A&M commit DaQuives Beck(102 tackles, 21 TFLs) and Colorado commit Carson Crawford (91 tackles, 22 TFLs). The Bulldogs also have plenty of experience in the secondary with senior safety Tylin Williams and senior cornerback Jay Lewis.
There aren’t many more things more certain than death, taxes, and Carthage battling for a state title under Scott Surratt. With a highly talented senior class steering the ship this year, Carthage will be a hard team to beat in 2025.
